1. I/O are a five p… Read Full Bio ↴There are three artists that share the name I/O.
1. I/O are a five piece post-rock band based in Boston, Massachusetts.
http://iomusicofficial.bandcamp.com/
2. I/O is an Italian contemporary music project focusing on jazz, rock and free-improvisation.
3. Ayo Olatunji is a New York based Nigerian singer/songwriter and producer, working with electro-tinged R&B.
Sympathy
I/O Lyrics
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Tell them me don't
Know gully or Gaza
NSP gang a wah me rather
4.5 make boy mother feel trauma
When me beat this larma
Let's see how much
Power your lord have
If him can save u from the drama
Boy violate and never know
Me ina me darkest stages
Shoot him ina him face
And leave him marro
Pon the pavement
A nuh the first a boy dis
And get a surgical face lift
Ina Mobay brad day
We go do paging
Dog ina the square
With riffle time is scary
Hilltop man nuh join
Nuh Bagga tracing
From them dis them dead
And then grave dig
One talk nuh sympathy
See them life and take it
Run up pon
Who shoot who kill who
Me nuh know who the fuck
Them a talk bout
Gun ina me trunk a me car
An police a talk bout
Gun me a transport
Beat them bad with me
Hands me nuh need no gun
Brem field will blam u
Nayy to army dj kemo keep
Them Glocks and hands up
If them think fee run just shoot
Until them foot and hand broke
Neck stab knee weak paralyzed
Boy can't stand up
You mother see it
And nuh cry never know
One woman coulda strong so
That's the reason
Why me tell own chill
Them boy dah nuh bad
The lyrics of I/O's Sympathy convey a message of overcoming adversity and rising above the challenges of life. The opening lines "The light is strong and the man is weak, and the world walks in between" suggests the polarity between strength and weakness that exists within the human experience. The next lines, "So rise above on the wings of love, see and let yourself be seen" encourage listeners to find strength and refuge in love and to not hide from the world. The repetition of the phrase "see and let yourself be seen" emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and authentic in one's interactions with others.
The second verse discusses the fleeting nature of life and the need to live in the present moment. The line "For tomorrow never comes" reinforces the idea that we must make the most of our time on earth and not wait for some future date to take action. The lyric "If you wield the rod, answer to your God, but me I'll be up and gone" suggests that the singer is not interested in imposing his will on others or judging them based on their actions, indicating a desire for freedom and autonomy.
The final verse poses a question, asking if a friend would still offer sympathy even if "the sea was glass and the land all gone," implying that friendship and compassion should not depend on external circumstances. The intense delivery of the repeated phrase "a little bit of sympathy" underscores the importance of human connection and empathy.
Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and perseverance, encouraging listeners to find strength in love and empathy, to live in the present, and to be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
The light is strong and the man is weak
There is an unequal balance of strength between the powerful forces that govern the world and the weak, vulnerable forces that make up individuals
And the world walks in between
The world is a neutral force that separates the mighty and the powerless, causing them to coexist in awkward harmony
So rise above on the wings of love
The only way for the weak to fight against the strong is with the power of love and its ability to elevate one above their limitations
See and let yourself be seen
To truly connect with others, you must be willing to be vulnerable and reveal yourself to them while also seeing who they truly are
So fill your cup and drink it on up
Live in the present and enjoy every moment, without worrying about what the future brings
For tomorrow never comes
The future is never a certainty, and dwelling or planning for it will only take away from the time you have now
If you wield the rod, answer to your God
If you use your power and influence to hurt others, you must answer for your actions to a higher power
But me I'll be up and gone
I will not stay around to witness the destruction that comes from using power unjustly
If the sea was glass and the land all gone
In a hypothetical world where everything is perfect, would you still be there for me?
Would you still be a friend to me
Even when everything is perfect, genuine friendship and a willingness to help others is still important
When my time has passed, is it too much to ask
When I am no longer around, is it too much to ask for some kindness and empathy from those who remain?
For a little bit of sympathy
All I am asking for is a small amount of care and understanding
Just a little bit of sympathy lord
Sometimes all we can hope for is a compassionate response from a higher power
A little bit of sympathy
Compassion and empathy can go a long way in making someone feel heard and understood
A little bit of sympathy lord yeah
A plea to a higher power for even a small amount of understanding and kindness
Little bit of sympathy
Again, just a small amount of empathy can make a big difference in someone's life
Little bit of sympathy
A final repetition of the plea for a small amount of compassionate understanding
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind