Purified Thoughts )
Ghostface Killah Lyrics


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"Am I a good man? ..."

Take my hands out my pockets you can see my thumbs
Both of them turned green, from countin' the ones
Memorized by the glory, word life
Cut off niggas who killed Bill but couldn't do nothin' for me
Shout 'em out every once in the blue and kid too
I never rocked with, laws they keep away we cool
I devised my own stimulus, plan I'm niggarish
I'm tired of eatin those crumbs and black licorice
The frame of mind so ? like cleansin' the mic
Let the imam pray over my head and wash
Thoughts, sterilized, purified, Godly
Watch us gift men and fetch the green like barley
If that shit happen I'll feed his whole army
Talkin' 'bout the angels and peeps in Somali
Try to stay humble, and swallow my pride
In God I trust, now talk about the ones on your five
Crisp dollar billin', catch me in a little hut in Beneen
Village style, feedin' the children
Big pots of jasmine tea with Mandela
Africans chantin me on like Coachella
Ghostface bom ba ye, kumbiya my Lord
My death day, 24 karat tomb I lay
Wishin they could bury me, next to the prophets
Nabi, Lut, Is'haq, Musa, Harun, Muhammad
Ibrahim

"Am I a good man?" (I don't know)
"Am I a fool?" (We'll see)

The Lord takes me, gathering speeds before winds
High currents ? places we formin wings
Kings offering, thrones was there
Man with the 7 crowns on his dome was near
Feet walked over rose petals, song from the ghetto
Face froze in gold like the pharaoh
A dawn in glory, robe of light, a powerful cherub
As he passed the path, white doves cost the eyes of thugs
Eternal heartbeat, in the dark fire in his blood
700 books were opened
It breaks to right, they threw the crooks in the ocean
Scared, brass hair like it grew from goatskin
The chosen has spoken, tablets were broken
The smoke hand grabs an omen
Gravity grabbin' me gradually draggin' me through hell's cavity
This is blasphemy, I fell where the jackals be
God felt bad for me but cast me into Caspain' Sea
Satan draggin' his key, Wu-Family's the faculty
K.P., K.P.

"Am I a good man? Am I a fool?
"Am I?"

He used to sling in the stairwell
Fast to put the rap on thinking cap, ignite your hair gel
No such thing as a fair sale
He'll put the bullet out same day, delivery airmail
And on this level a thug'll sell you garbage
No refund, the only exchange from the cartridge
Where the youths is kept comin' back with they life earnings
Ready to make a deal, soul and pipe burning
The outcome tragic, household dramatic
Living rooms to ?, basements to attics
Support from the B, hit the courts from a fiend
Who betrayed one, who had lit the torch for his team




So they sent him gifts, body parts per diem
In a box that held prints but too dark to see 'em

Overall Meaning

The song "Purified Thoughts" by Ghostface Killah is, at its core, a self-reflective meditation on morality, faith, perseverance, and the struggle for survival in an often harsh and unforgiving world. The song begins with a lament about the state of the singer's soul, asking "Am I a good man? ... Am I a fool?" He paints a picture of a life marked by struggle and sacrifice, symbolized by his green thumbs, calloused from counting money. He speaks of cutting off those who were once friends but turned on him, and of devising his own "niggarish" plan to rise above his circumstances. He expresses a desire to be cleansed and purified, to be considered godly, and to make a positive impact on the world. The second verse takes a more spiritual turn, with references to kings, thrones, and doves, as the singer envisions a surreal experience of transcendence and judgment. The final verse describes a dark underworld of drug dealing and violence, capped off by a brutal act of betrayal, and the singer's refusal to be defined by his circumstances.


Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on themes that have been central to Ghostface Killah's music throughout his long and storied career, including poverty, perseverance, spirituality, and the struggle for self-worth and redemption in a world that can be violent and unforgiving. By turns introspective, surreal, and gritty, "Purified Thoughts" is a quintessential Ghostface Killah track that showcases his unique ability to blend lyrical complexity and raw emotional power into a rich and compelling narrative.


Line by Line Meaning

Take my hands out my pockets you can see my thumbs
I'm broke but you can see I haven't stolen anything.


Both of them turned green, from countin' the ones
I've been counting the small amount of money I have for so long that my hands have turned green.


Memorized by the glory, word life
I'm constantly chasing money and fame.


Cut off niggas who killed Bill but couldn't do nothin' for me
I have no loyalty to those who don't benefit me.


Shout 'em out every once in the blue and kid too
I'll occasionally acknowledge people I used to know.


I never rocked with, laws they keep away we cool
I don't comply with laws but that's fine with me.


I devised my own stimulus, plan I'm niggarish
I came up with my own plan to get rich.


I'm tired of eatin those crumbs and black licorice
I'm sick of being poor and want to live a more luxurious lifestyle.


The frame of mind so ? like cleansin' the mic
My mindset is focused on improving my life.


Let the imam pray over my head and wash
I'm seeking religious purification.


Thoughts, sterilized, purified, Godly
I want my mind to be cleansed through faith.


Watch us gift men and fetch the green like barley
We'll make a lot of money and share it with others.


If that shit happen I'll feed his whole army
If I suddenly become rich, I'll be very generous.


Talkin' 'bout the angels and peeps in Somali
I talk about my faith and my people.


Try to stay humble, and swallow my pride
I try to remain modest and not let my success get to my head.


In God I trust, now talk about the ones on your five
I have faith in God and believe in the power of religious prayer.


Crisp dollar billin', catch me in a little hut in Beneen
I'm still chasing wealth but I'm also humbled by my background and upbringing.


Village style, feedin' the children
I want to give back to my community by helping those in need.


Big pots of jasmine tea with Mandela
I have respect for political activists and peacemakers.


Africans chantin me on like Coachella
I'm seen as a hero and respected by my people.


Ghostface bom ba ye, kumbiya my Lord
I express my faith and beliefs in my music.


My death day, 24 karat tomb I lay
I want a grand burial and funeral.


Wishin they could bury me, next to the prophets
I aspire to be seen as a significant figure in my religion.


Nabi, Lut, Is'haq, Musa, Harun, Muhammad
These are respected figures in my religion that I look up to.


The Lord takes me, gathering speeds before winds
I hope that God will take me when the time is right.


High currents ? places we formin wings
I envision a spiritual ascent to a greater place.


Kings offering, thrones was there
I'll be rewarded for my good deeds in the afterlife.


Man with the 7 crowns on his dome was near
I feel the presence of a powerful and divine entity.


Feet walked over rose petals, song from the ghetto
I imagine a grand procession with music, even though I come from humble beginnings.


Face froze in gold like the pharaoh
I'll be remembered as a powerful and successful leader.


A dawn in glory, robe of light, a powerful cherub
I hope to experience an angelic afterlife.


As he passed the path, white doves cost the eyes of thugs
Even the most violent and wicked will be humbled in the face of divine power.


Eternal heartbeat, in the dark fire in his blood
I believe in eternal life and feel it will be full of passion.


700 books were opened
My life will be judged based on all of my deeds and actions.


It breaks to right, they threw the crooks in the ocean
I believe that justice will ultimately prevail.


Scared, brass hair like it grew from goatskin
I fear divine judgment and hope to be seen as righteous.


The chosen has spoken, tablets were broken
I feel chosen and blessed by God.


The smoke hand grabs an omen
I fear the unknown and may see signs of danger.


Gravity grabbin' me gradually draggin' me through hell's cavity
I fear that I'll be pulled down into darkness.


This is blasphemy, I fell where the jackals be
I feel guilty and ashamed of my sins.


God felt bad for me but cast me into Caspain' Sea
Even when I'm punished, I feel that it's deserved.


Satan draggin' his key, Wu-Family's the faculty
I reference my music group and associate myself with dark imagery.


He used to sling in the stairwell
I used to sell drugs and participate in illegal activity.


Fast to put the rap on thinking cap, ignite your hair gel
I'm quick-witted and can come up with rhymes effortlessly.


No such thing as a fair sale
I know that illegal business dealings will never be completely fair.


He'll put the bullet out same day, delivery airmail
I'm not above using violence when necessary.


And on this level a thug'll sell you garbage
Many people in my world will try to pass off inferior products as high-quality.


No refund, the only exchange from the cartridge
I won't give back money for something I sold unless I'm paid with violence.


Where the youths is kept comin' back with they life earnings
Young people will be drawn in and spend all of their earnings on drugs and other illegal products.


Ready to make a deal, soul and pipe burning
People are willing to trade anything for drugs.


The outcome tragic, household dramatic
Buying and using drugs can have severe consequences on families and communities.


Living rooms to ?, basements to attics
Drug use can occur anywhere in a home.


Support from the B, hit the courts from a fiend
My drug network is supported by people of all backgrounds.


Who betrayed one, who had lit the torch for his team
One of my loyal customers betrayed me.


So they sent him gifts, body parts per diem
As punishment, I had this person killed and his body parts sent to me.


In a box that held prints but too dark to see 'em
The evidence was destroyed or hidden from the authorities.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM KING FEENEY, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, WALTER REED, WILLIE JAMES CLARKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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