Sincerely Jane
Janelle Monae Lyrics
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These kids round' killin' each other, they lost they minds, they gone
They quittin' school, making babies and can barely read
Some gone off to their fall, lord have mercy on them
One, two, three, four, your cousins is round' here sellin' dope
While they're daddies, your uncle is walking round' strung out
Babies with babies, and their tears keep burning, while their dreams go down the drain now
Are we really living or just walking dead now?
Or dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels
The way we live
The way we die
What a tragedy, I'm so terrified
Day dreamers please wake up, we can't sleep no more
Love don't make no sense, ask your neighbor
The winds have changed; it seems they have abandoned us
The truth hurts, and so does yesterday
What good is love if it burns bright, and explodes in flames
(I thought every little thing had love but uh)
[Chorus]
I've seen them shootin' up funerals in they Sunday clothes
Spending money on spinners but won't pay college loans
And all you gangsters and bangers rollin' dice and taking lives, in a Smokey dark
Lord have mercy on you
Teacher, teacher please reach those girls in them videos
The little girls just broken Queen, confusing bling for soul
Danger, there's danger when you take off your clothes, all your dreams go down the drain girl
[Chorus]
We live and then we die, and we never know the right
So now, now were gone now, on your mark
We live and then we die, and we never touch the sky
So now, now were gone now, on your mark
Five, seven, eight, two, one
It is now time, for you to come home my dear
You've been gone long enough
You must come, you must go
The song Sincerely Jane by Janelle Monáe is a social commentary on the state of society and how it is failing the younger generation. In the first verse, Monáe speaks of a mother warning her child to not come back home due to the dangerous environment that plagues the city. The kids are killing each other while dropping out of school, starting families and engaging in criminal activity. She highlights the hopeless state of youth in these situations where their dreams go unfulfilled, and the only legacy they leave behind is a life of crime, causing pain and heartache for others as well as themselves.
The chorus brings up the question of whether we are truly living or just existing as the walking dead. Monáe notes that there is a need for a change as the current situation is tragic and terrifying, but this change needs to come from within us. The second verse focuses on the concept of love, stating that it may not make sense to those living in this type of environment. There is a sense of loss and abandonment as the winds of change seem to have left those living in these conditions behind. Monáe speaks of the dangers of the music industry, highlighting the women in music videos who are often exploited, promoting superficial values such as materialism and promiscuity. The song concludes with a call-to-action to come home, symbolizing the place where we can truly be ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Left the city, my momma she said don't come back home
My mom told me to leave the city since it's not safe, with kids killing each other and quitting school.
These kids round' killin' each other, they lost they minds, they gone
The youth has lost their minds and are killing each other.
They quittin' school, making babies and can barely read
The youth are leaving school, having babies and lacking basic literacy skills.
Some gone off to their fall, lord have mercy on them
Some have gone down the wrong path in life, may God have mercy on them.
One, two, three, four, your cousins is round' here sellin' dope
Your cousins are selling drugs in this area.
While they're daddies, your uncle is walking round' strung out
Your uncle is walking around under the influence of drugs.
Babies with babies, and their tears keep burning, while their dreams go down the drain now
Young parents are struggling, feeling hopeless and defeated.
[Chorus] Are we really living or just walking dead now? Or dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels The way we live The way we die What a tragedy, I'm so terrified Day dreamers please wake up, we can't sleep no more
Are we living a meaningful life or simply going through the motions? It's tragic and scary to see the state of society. Wake up and take action.
Love don't make no sense, ask your neighbor
Love is incomprehensible, try asking those around you.
The winds have changed; it seems they have abandoned us
The times have changed and we feel left behind.
The truth hurts, and so does yesterday
The truth can be painful, just like the past.
What good is love if it burns bright, and explodes in flames (I thought every little thing had love but uh)
Love can be destructive even if it starts off good.
[Chorus]
See previous explanation of chorus.
I've seen them shootin' up funerals in they Sunday clothes
People are using drugs even at funerals.
Spending money on spinners but won't pay college loans
People prioritize material possessions over important financial responsibilities.
And all you gangsters and bangers rollin' dice and taking lives, in a Smokey dark Lord have mercy on you
Gang members are taking lives and playing with fate in hazardous situations.
Teacher, teacher please reach those girls in them videos The little girls just broken Queen, confusing bling for soul
The media can influence young girls to value material possessions over self-worth.
Danger, there's danger when you take off your clothes, all your dreams go down the drain girl
There are risks involved in revealing your body, which can lead to negative consequences.
[Chorus]
See previous explanation of chorus.
We live and then we die, and we never know the right So now, now were gone now, on your mark
We don't know the right path in life before we die, so we should start living intentionally.
We live and then we die, and we never touch the sky So now, now were gone now, on your mark
We never reach our full potential before we die, so now is the time to take action.
Five, seven, eight, two, one It is now time, for you to come home my dear You've been gone long enough You must come, you must go
It's time to return home after being away for too long.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES L JOSEPH, JANELLE MONAE ROBINSON, NATHANIEL IRVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind