Profits Of Man
Killah Priest Lyrics

Even Kings die, thrones rust
Even those in positions of power and authority eventually meet their end and their influence fades away

Skeleton bones turn to dust memories are blown in the gust
When we die, our physical bodies decay and our memories become vague and forgotten

It's about how you live when you were here
The way we live our lives while we are still alive is important and shapes our legacy

How you celebrated those years were you a follower? Did you try elevating your peers?
Did you spend your years following others or did you strive to uplift those around you?

Were you sincere when you gave the prophets your ears?
Did you genuinely listen and pay attention to the wisdom and teachings of those who spoke truth?

But soon as trouble comes you disappear
When faced with difficulties, do you vanish and abandon those who need your support?

Listen here were you real? Did you show love that people could feel?
Did you truly display love and compassion in a way that was tangible and meaningful to others?

Did you have jealousy but keep it concealed?
Were you envious of others but hid your feelings of resentment?

Did you smile at your man's face? But all awhile wanted to take your man's place
Did you pretend to be friendly and supportive to someone's face, but secretly desired to surpass or replace them?

Moving around like a snake
Were you behaving deceitfully and cunningly, like a snake?

I know you hate that term, don't call it that
I understand that you dislike being compared to a snake, but your actions resemble those of one

Seen that lately that's why the Priest been falling back
Witnessing such behavior recently is the reason why the Priest has been distancing himself

'Cause when the Revolution starts
During times of social and political change and upheaval

All those cliques that fall apart will soon be the Devil's mark
The groups and associations that disintegrate under pressure will become corrupted and influenced by evil

And none the adversary will have a heart
Those who oppose goodness and righteousness will lack compassion and empathy

The letter for Priest, my freedom of speech
These are the words and thoughts expressed by the Priest, his right to openly express himself

Y'all read 'em and weep
As you read and comprehend these words, you may feel sadness or regret

The demons that keep you from the path just laugh
The negative forces that prevent you from following the right path find amusement in your struggles

That's my ink pad looks like Stained Glass
My written words resemble the intricate and colorful designs of stained glass

A collage of art, that show scenes from the Nazarene's past
A collection of artistic expressions that depict events and stories from the life of Jesus Christ

From my connections with 60 Second
Referring to his collaborations and relationships with 60 Second Assassin

The Art of Walter in the city - signed to Geffen
Referring to the artwork of Walter Sandsquatch and his record deal with Geffen Records

For five-percent lessons, Israelite tribal dressing
Engaging in teachings related to the Five-Percent Nation and adopting the attire associated with Hebrew Israelites

Disciple Armageddons, that 'B.I.B.L.E.' record
Becoming a devout follower and spreading the message of Armageddon, as heard in the song 'B.I.B.L.E.'

To Sunz of Man to damn near becoming one of the Clan
Transitioning from being a member of Sunz of Man to having a strong association with Wu-Tang Clan

Members I remember, in Brooklyn, GZA and Masta Killa
Recalling his encounters and interactions with GZA and Masta Killa in Brooklyn

To my last chapters with the RZA
Reflecting on his final collaborations and experiences with RZA

Testimony stops, Ol' Dirty got knocked
The storytelling and testimonies come to a halt as Ol' Dirty Bastard encounters legal troubles

Came home and signed with the ROC
Returning after incarceration and signing a deal with Roc-A-Fella Records

Cocaine combined with rocks
Referring to Ol' Dirty Bastard's struggles with substance abuse, particularly the combination of cocaine and crack cocaine

Rick James style, his nickname 'Wild; Ol' Dirt Dog'
Comparing Ol' Dirty Bastard's persona and behavior to that of Rick James, with his nickname being 'Wild' or 'Ol' Dirt Dog'

It hurt us all when his hearse disappeared in the fog
Everyone experienced pain and sorrow when Ol' Dirty Bastard passed away and his hearse faded from sight in the fog

I stayed digital, never analog, original
Maintaining a modern and electronically-based approach while staying true to oneself, remaining unique and authentic

Always camouflaged, turn them cameras off
Constantly concealing one's true identity, urging for the cameras to be turned off

Light those candles God, I'm the example
Symbolically lighting candles to honor God, while also acknowledging oneself as an example or role model

Like I'm speaking from panels y'all
Expressing oneself in a manner reminiscent of speaking from a podium or delivering a speech

The soul inside of me is fiery, society lied to me
The essence of his being is filled with passion and intensity, while also feeling betrayed by society

Instead you gotta die to be free
Suggesting that true freedom can only be attained through death

My diaries of anxiety frighten me
The records of his innermost thoughts and fears cause him distress

Light will squeeze through my crack buildings where my writing be
Hope and illumination will find a way into the darkest corners of his mind, where his writing dwells

Striking my page with hyphens and brighten my T's
Adding emphasis and detail to his writings with hyphens and enhancing the positivity and vibrancy of his thoughts

To my seeds - the uncivilized time has come
Addressing his children and acknowledging that an era of chaos and disorder is approaching

Y'all better run, the time has begun
Encouraging others to flee or take action in response to the beginning of a significant period

Yo, from total strangers to best friends
From complete strangers to individuals with the closest bond and connection

To best friends to brothers from brothers to never calling him again
Evolving from best friends to being like brothers, but eventually severing all contact and communication

Their coffins descend, one flies to a place of peace
One person is laid to rest in a casket, while another transcends to a peaceful realm

The other Lake of Fire, Devil's hauling you in
The unfortunate individual is condemned to eternal punishment in Hell, as the Devil claims their soul

As one began one ends, the Earth still spin
Just as one life starts, another life concludes, yet the world continues to revolve

We're hurt, tears in our shirt, spirit must transcend
We experience emotional pain, visible through our tears, yet our inner essence and soul must rise above it

What you think sleep is for? A deeper cause - preparing us
Sleep serves a greater purpose beyond rest, as it prepares us for something deeper or more meaningful

For the other side till the Reaper calls
Remaining on this mortal plane until the moment of death, when the Reaper comes for us

Either or, we're breathing for try a reason
Regardless of the circumstances, we continue to breathe in order to fulfill a purpose or strive for a goal

Arrived rich but we're leaving poor
Coming into the world with potential and opportunities, but departing without material wealth or possessions

Stand naked when you see the Lord
Facing the divine presence in a vulnerable and exposed state, without any worldly belongings or disguises

I stand protected when I see his war till I exit and I'm free to soar
Maintaining a sense of spiritual protection and safety during times of conflict and struggle, until finally departing from this world and being liberated to ascend

I'm embraced by space, though it's cloudy around me
Feeling embraced and encompassed by the vastness of the universe, even in moments of uncertainty and confusion

Its light weighs from a tree till they wither the brown leaves
The radiant illumination emanates from a tree until the leaves lose their vitality and turn brown

Bounty's of blessings, from my heavy mind (Heavy Mental)
Receiving abundant blessings despite the burden and weight of his troubled mind, referencing the album 'Heavy Mental'

To every rhyme I said, looking from Masada (View from Masada)
Reflecting on every verse and poetic expression, gaining a perspective as if observing from the fortress of Masada

From the Church of Priest, the dark August (Priesthood + Black August)
Originating from the spiritual realm of Killah Priest, during the somber month of August associated with Black August

Till he showed you the art on his Offering (The Offering)
Continuing to create and share his artistic expressions until revealing the depth and significance of his work through the album 'The Offering'

Oops, I call it the gift, Behind the Stained Glass
Referring to his creative talent and passion as a gift, captured and shared through the metaphorical 'Stained Glass'

It's a frame of my pad, I started this
The 'Stained Glass' symbolizes the structure and foundation of his artistic journey, which he initiated

Release the toxins, breathe out the oxygen
Letting go of the negative influences and purging oneself of harmful elements, while taking in and embracing positivity

Now see how shocking you fools if you think the Saint will lose
Witness the surprise and astonishment of those who underestimate the power and resilience of the Saint

I say things that will make the picture and the paintings move
Through his words and expressions, he has the ability to evoke strong emotions and bring still images and artworks to life

Now after this ink this jewel, look!
Now, pay attention and take note of the wisdom and significance conveyed through these written words

What profits that man? Who would gain the whole world yet lose his soul
What benefit does a person gain by achieving worldly success and possessions, only to sacrifice their spiritual well-being?

Somebody tell me
Looking for someone to provide an answer or insight

What profits that man? Who would fear his enemy and think he didn't exist
Why would someone be afraid of their enemy but deny their existence?

Somebody tell me
Seeking clarification or understanding from someone

Somebody tell me if you can
If anyone is able to, please enlighten me

What profits that man? Who would gain the whole world but lose his soul
What is the value or benefit of acquiring worldly possessions and accomplishments if one's spiritual essence is lost or neglected?

What profits that man? What profits that man?
What are the true gains or advantages of such a person? What do they truly achieve?

What profits that man? The way good and evil could never balance equal
What good does it do for a person, as the forces of good and evil can never be in perfect equilibrium or harmony

And no man, for no man could be both good and evil
It is impossible for an individual to embody both pure goodness and pure evil at the same time

From strings that are attached to each other
Referring to the interconnectedness and interdependence of various aspects of life and existence

And that string tilt to one way or the other
Each string leans or aligns with either good or evil, but never remains perfectly balanced

Even into one grain that'll strip us
Even the tiniest amount of evil or negativity has the potential to strip us of our goodness and corrupt our being

If you've done evil, then I guess you're missing it
Indicating that those who choose to engage in evil actions or behavior are unaware of the true essence and beauty of goodness

It'll be the over-taker, the architecture
Evil will prevail and become the dominant force, ultimately shaping and influencing our environment

What I could build will kill
Highlighting the destructive nature of the evil and negative things that one is capable of constructing or creating