Rivers Of Blood
Ghostface Killah M.O.P. & Pharoahe Monch Lyrics

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The land I live in, it has no borders
It's under my feet wherever I go
Around the world in every corner
There's always a family or a friend I know

I've seen myself in all their faces
I hear my voice when they sing a song
The path I walk is nothin' but a trace

Of a river of blood runnin' pure and strong

The river of blood starts with a trickle
High on a mountain when the world is new
It flows through time and gathers the memories
Washes 'em down over me and you

From the ring of Kerry to the streets of London
The land down under to the USA
Many have tried but none can contain it
The river of blood keeps makin' its way

It's a river of blood in a valley so wide
It's cuttin' its course with a current of pride
My soul finds mercy, my heart such peace
I get down to the bank, I fall down on my knees
Drink from the river of blood

Sometimes I walk through a foreign city
And people will turn, stop and stare
There's somethin' strange that they sense about me
The sound of my speech and my curly red hair

For a little while I might be lonesome
But I know I won't be lost for long
Around the bend at the bottom of the hill
The river of blood is runnin' pure and strong

It's a river of blood in a valley so wide
It's cuttin' its course with a current of pride
My soul finds mercy, my heart such peace
I get down to the bank, I fall down on my knees
Drink from the river of blood

The land I live in, it has no borders
It's under my feet wherever I go
Around the world in every corner
There's always a family or a friend I know

I see myself in all your faces
And I hear my voice when you sing a song
The paths we walk are nothin' but traces
Of a river of blood runnin' pure and strong

It's a river blood, it don't have fire
I'm down on my knees

Overall Meaning

"Rivers of Blood" by Ghostface Killah, M.O.P, and Pharoahe Monch is a reflection on the interconnectedness of human experience and belonging. The lyrics depict the singer's understanding of their identity and place in the world as a result of their connection to a "river of blood" that flows through time and space, carrying with it the memories and experiences of generations before them. The song suggests that this connection transcends physical borders and cultural differences, with the singer recognizing themselves in the faces and voices of people around the world.

The metaphor of the "river of blood" is central to the song's message and is explored throughout the lyrics. It is presented as a force that cannot be contained or controlled, flowing through the past, present, and future, shaping the identity and experiences of those who drink from its waters. The song encourages listeners to embrace this connection to their cultural heritage and ancestry, recognizing the beauty and value in diversity.

Overall, "Rivers of Blood" is a powerful reflection on the meaning of identity and belonging, offering a call to action for listeners to embrace their cultural heritage and recognize the interconnectedness of the human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

The land I live in, it has no borders
I feel connected to the entire world, regardless of any man-made boundaries

It's under my feet wherever I go
I am at home wherever I am, as my sense of belonging comes from within

Around the world in every corner
I have family and friends in every part of the world, from all walks of life

There's always a family or a friend I know
I am never alone, as I am always surrounded by loved ones

I've seen myself in all their faces
I recognize myself in the diversity of humanity, and feel a sense of oneness

I hear my voice when they sing a song
I find unity through music, and feel that our collective experiences are connected

The path I walk is nothin' but a trace
My journey in life is influenced by those who have come before me, and I am part of a longer history

Of a river of blood runnin' pure and strong
This represents the shared experience of humanity, the connections between all people

The river of blood starts with a trickle
Our shared humanity begins with small, individual experiences

High on a mountain when the world is new
Humanity's shared experience is as old as the world itself

It flows through time and gathers the memories
As time passes, the collective experience of humanity grows and evolves

Washes 'em down over me and you
We are all connected, and our shared experiences affect us all

Many have tried but none can contain it
No one person, group, or nation can lay claim to the shared experience of humanity

The river of blood keeps makin' its way
Humanity's shared experience will continue, regardless of our attempts to control or define it

Sometimes I walk through a foreign city
As a person who feels connected to the world, I am comfortable in unfamiliar places

There's somethin' strange that they sense about me
Others may recognize my sense of connection to humanity, even if they don't understand it

The sound of my speech and my curly red hair
My appearance and speech may signal to others that I am different from them, but our shared humanity remains

For a little while I might be lonesome
At times, being different from those around me can be isolating

But I know I won't be lost for long
I am confident that I will find others who share my sense of connection

We are all part of the river of blood, and our shared experiences connect us

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MOLLIE O'BRIEN, SCOTT NYGAARD, TIMOTHY PAGE O'BRIEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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