Blood On The Leaves
God/Kanye West Lyrics

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Blood on the leaves
The image of strange fruit hanging from poplar trees is a haunting reminder of the history of lynching of black people in America. The blood on the leaves is symbolic of the violence and death that accompanied this history.

I just need to clear my mind now It's been racin' since the summertime Now I'm holdin' down the summer now And all I want is what I can't buy now 'Cause I ain't got the money on me right now And I told you to wait Yeah I told you to wait So I'mma need a little more time now 'Cause I ain't got the money on me right now And I thought you could wait Yeah, I thought you could wait
The singer is overwhelmed and struggling to cope. They don't have the means to get what they want at this moment, but pleaded with someone else to wait for them to get it. They believed that the other person would be patient and understanding, but are now feeling pressured to act faster than they can. They realize they were wrong to assume the other person would wait and are asking for more time to figure their situation out.

These bitches surroundin' me All want somethin' out me Then they talk about me Would be lost without me
The singer is surrounded by people who they perceive as insincere and using them for personal gain. They feel like these people would be aimless and lost without them.

We could've been somebody Thought you'd be different 'bout it Now I know you not it So let's get on with it
The artist is reflecting on a past relationship where they had hoped for a different outcome. They had thought that the other person would be better or different in some way, but realize now that this isn't the case. They want to move on from this realization.

We could've been somebody Instead you had to tell somebody Let's take it back to the first party When you tried your first molly And came out of your body And came out of your body Running naked down the lobby And you was screamin' that you love me Before the limelight tore ya Before the limelight stole ya Remember we were so young When I would hold you Before the glory
The artist remembers a past relationship that could have been something special. However, the other person ruined it by potentially spreading their secrets and embarrassing them in public. The artist reminisces back to a time before fame or attention, when they had a genuine connection and bond with the other person.

I know there ain't wrong with me Something strange is happening
The singer senses that something unexplainable, unusual, or out of the ordinary is happening to them. They don't think that there's anything inherently wrong with them, but feel like they're being affected by an external force or influence.

Fuck them other niggas 'cause I'm down with my niggas Fuck them other niggas 'cause I'm down with my niggas Fuck them other niggas 'cause I'm down with my niggas I ride with my niggas, I'll die for my
The singer is expressing their loyalty to their friends and/or community. They prioritize their own people over outsiders or enemies, and are willing to defend them even at the cost of their own life.

To all my second string bitches, tryna get a baby Trying to get a baby, now you talkin' crazy I don't give a damn if you used to talk to Jay-Z He ain't with you, he with Beyoncé, you need to stop actin' lazy She Instagram herself like #BadBitchAlert He Instagram his watch like #MadRichAlert He only wanna see that ass in reverse Two-thousand-dollar bag with no cash in your purse Now you sittin' courtside, wifey on the other side Gotta keep 'em separated, I call that apartheid Then she said she impregnated, that's the night your heart died Then you gotta go and tell your girl and report that Main reason 'cause your pastor said you can't abort that Now your driver say that new Benz you can't afford that All that cocaine on the table you can't snort that That going to that owing money that the court got On and on that alimony, uh, yeah yeah, she got you homie, yeah 'Til death but do your part, uh, unholy matrimony
The artist is talking about people who they perceive as being desperate and dysfunctional in relationships. They mock those who are seeking to become pregnant in order to secure a financial future, and people who flaunt their wealth on social media. The artist talks about a scenario in which someone cheats on their partner, then impregnates the person they cheated with. They try to deal with the fallout of this situation, including the moral implications of abortion and financial strain caused by the pregnancy and legal fees. The artist views this as an example of a toxic and unfulfilling relationship.