Lucifer
Jay-Z; Lyrics

Lucifer, don of de morning! I'm gonna, chase you out of earth
Jay-Z is addressing Lucifer, also known as the son of the morning, and is threatening to chase him out of earth

Lucifer Lucifer, don of de morning
Jay-Z is again addressing Lucifer, acknowledging his power in the morning, and reiterating his point

I'm from the murder capital, where we murder for capital
Jay-Z is explaining where he originates from, a city that is notorious for murders that are committed to gain capital or money

So you need to change your attitude Before they asking what happened to you (Lucifer Lucifer
Jay-Z is warning Lucifer to change his ways before he faces the consequences, referencing his own hometown's reputation for violence committed for money

Lord forgive him, he got them dark forces in him But he also got a righteous cause for sinning Them-a-murder me, so I gotta murder, them First emergency, doctors performing procedures
Jay-Z is seeking forgiveness for himself, as he acknowledges he has dark thoughts, but also believes he has a good reason to sin. He then describes revenge on those who would harm him and depicts a scenario of himself in need of medical attention

Jesus, I ain't trying to be facetious, but 'Vengeance is mine' said the Lord You said it better than all Leave niggas on death's door, breathing on Respirators for killing my best, poor haters
Jay-Z references Jesus and quotes the phrase, 'Vengeance is mine,' to justify his own desire for revenge. He describes leaving his enemies breathing on respirators after killing his loved ones

On permanent, hiatus as I skate In the Maybach Benz, flier than Sanaa Lathan Pumping 'Brown Sugar' by D'Angelo In Los Angele's, like an evangelist I can introduce you to your maker Bring you closer to nature Ashes after they cremate you bastards Hope you been reading your Psalms and chapters Paying your tithe, being good Catholics, I'm coming
Jay-Z boasts about his wealthy and stylish lifestyle, while playing music and cruising around Los Angeles like a preacher. He threatens to bring people closer to death and reminds them about their religious responsibilities

So you niggas change your attitude Before they asking what happened to you (Lucifer, Lucifer)
Jay-Z repeats his warning to Lucifer, emphasizing the importance of changing his ways or dealing with the consequences

Yes, this is holy war I wet y'all all with the holy water Spray from Heckler-Koch order Matic auto-static, child cease to exist Like a sabbatical, I throw couple at you, take six!
Jay-Z declares a holy war, symbolized by spraying people with holy water and firearms. He describes killing multiple people at once and eventually referring to a sabbatical, where he will take time off to rest from violence

Spread love, to all of my dead thugs I pour out a little Louis, to a head above Yes sir, and when I perish, the meek shall inherit the earth Till that time, it's on and popping, church
Jay-Z shows love and respect to his fallen comrades, pouring out alcohol in their honor. He acknowledges his own mortality, believing that eventually, more gentle people will inherit the earth

Like Don Bishop, the fifth or palm cock either Lift up your soul or give you the holy ghost Please I leave you in somebody's cathedral For stunting like Evel Knievel I let you see where that bright light lead you
Jay-Z references an unknown character who is either named Don Bishop or carries a palm cock gun. He threatens to kill people or leave them feeling spiritually dead after they act like Evel Knievel, recklessly engaging in dangerous activities

The more you talk, the more you irking us The more you goin' need memorial services 'The Black Album' second verse, is like Devil's pie, save some dessert for us
Jay-Z warns people that talking too much will only make him angrier and lead to their funeral. He then references his own album, The Black Album, and describes it as being like a devil's pie, where there is only so much 'dessert' to go around

Man, I gotta get my soul right, I gotta get these devils out my life, These cowards gonna make a nigga right, They won't be happy 'til somebody die, Oh man, I gotta get my soul right, 'Fore I'm locked up for my whole life, Every time it seems it's alright Somebody want they soul to rise I chase you off of this earth
Jay-Z reflects on his own need to cleanse his soul of immoral thoughts and desires. He recognizes that there are people who hope to see him or others die and sees his own role in fighting back against this darkness.

I got dreams, of holdin' a nine milla, to Bob's killer Askin him why as my eyes fill up These days I can't wake up with a dry pillow Gone but not forgotten, homes I still feel you So, curse the day that birthed the bastard Who caused your church mass, reverts to crash The first to blast then reverse the curse The first to date and there you are, Bobalob Lord forgive him, we all have sinned But Bob's a good dude, please let him in And if you feel in my heart that I long for revenge Please blame it on the son of the mornin', thanks again
Jay-Z has a desire to avenge Bob's death and confront his killer. He reflects on how much he misses Bob and the effect his death had on him. He curses the person who caused the mass shooting that killed Bob and others, and also recognizes that he himself has sinned. He pleads for Bob to be forgiven for any wrongdoing he has committed.