Can't Truss It
Public Enemy Lyrics

Bass in your face
Strong beat that hits you in the face

Not an eight track
Not old-fashioned, out-of-date technology

Gettin' it good to the wood
Producing good music that gets to everyone

So the people
The people show appreciation for good music

Give you some a dat
The people give recognition and respect to the musicians; that's what they deserve

Reactin' to the fax
The listeners are reacting to the truth spoken in their music

That I kick and it stick
Lyrics that are powerful and memorable

And it stay around
The impact of the lyrics last long after the song ends

Pointin' to the joint, put the Buddha down
The rapper is pointing out something important that needs attention; it's time to focus on real issues, not superficial pleasures

Goin', goin', gettin' to the roots
Going deeper to find the true origins and sources of problems

Ain't givin' it up
Not giving up on fighting for justice

So turn me loose
Let me speak out and fight for what's right

But then again I got a story
The rapper has a personal account of injustice to tell

That's harder than the hardcore
The story is difficult and painful

Cost of the holocaust
Referring to the historical treatment of black people as a holocaust

I'm talin' 'bout the one still goin' on
The rapper is referring to ongoing racism and oppression today

I know where I'm from, not dum diddie dum
The rapper is aware of his roots and history

From the base motherland
From the land where his ancestors originated

The place of the drum
Referring to the origin of African drum music

Invaded by the wack diddie wack
Referring to the disruption of the natural order by outside forces

Fooled the black, left us faded
Black people were misled and left in a state of decline

King and chief probably had a big beef
There was likely a major conflict between the leaders

Because of dat now I grit my teeth
As a result of that conflict, the people today are impacted

So here's a song to the strong
The song is dedicated to those who persevere through tough times

'Bout a shake of a snake
Referring to the deceitful actions of those in power

And the smile went along with that
Those in power would feign happiness, but it was all an act

Can't truss it
You can't trust the lies being told by those in power

Kickin' wicked rhymes
Delivering powerful lyrics

Like a fortune teller
The lyrics are predicting the future

'Cause the wickedness done by Jack
Referring to the evil done by people in power

Where everybody at
Where are the people who should be standing up against this injustice?

Divided and sold
The people were separated and exploited

For liquor and the gold
The motivation for exploitation was greed

Smacked in the back
The people were physically abused

For the other man to mack
For the benefit of someone else

Now the story that I'm kickin' is gory
The true story is extremely disturbing

Little Rock where they be
Referring to the city of Little Rock, Arkansas

Dockin' this boat
Docking this slave ship

No hope I'm shackled
No hope of escape while being chained up

Plus gang tackled
Being beaten or attacked by multiple people

By the other hand swingin' the rope
Referring to being lynched

Wearin' red, white and blue Jack and his crew
Referring to those in power who wear the American flag (red, white, and blue)

The guy's authorized beat down for the brown
Those in power have the authority to beat down people of color

Man to the man, each one so it teach one
We all have a role in teaching one another and fighting for justice

Born to terrorize sisters and every brother
Those in power are born to terrorize and control minorities

One love who said it
Referring to a famous quote by Bob Marley

But the hater taught hate
Those in power taught and perpetuated hatred

That's why we gang bang it
Gang violence is a result of systemic oppression and racism

Beware of the hand
Be cautious of those in power

When it's comin' from the left
When the oppression comes from unexpected or unassuming sources

I ain't trippin' just watch ya step
I'm not worried, but be careful

And I judge everyone, one by the one
I judge people as individuals, not by their race or group affiliation

Look here come the judge
Referring to a famous TV show

Watch it here he come now
Be prepared for judgments and consequences

I can only guess what's happening
The true extent of the injustice is not fully known

Years ago he woulda been
Referring to how people of color were treated in the past

The ships captain
Referring to slave ships

Gettin' me bruised on a cruise
Being beaten on a slave ship

What I got to lose, lost all contact
Being in such a hopeless situation, it feels like nothing else could be lost

Got me layin' on my back
Being defeated and powerless

Rollin' in my own leftover
Having nothing left and living in filth

When I roll over, I roll over in somebody else's
Living in overcrowded and inhumane conditions

Ninety damn days on a slave ship
Being trapped on a slave ship for three months

Count 'em fallin' off two, three, four hun'ed at a time
Many people dying at once, at a shocking pace

Blood in the wood and it's mine
Referring to the physical suffering and violence endured by slaves

I'm chokin' on spit feelin' pain
Enduring terrible pain and suffering

Like my brain bein' chained
Feeling mentally trapped and oppressed

Still gotta give it what I got
Still have to fight and persevere despite the odds

But it's hot in the day, cold in the night
Enduring harsh and inhospitable conditions

But I thrive to survive, I pray to God to stay alive
Maintaining the will to survive and hoping for divine intervention

Attitude boils up inside
Feeling intense rage and frustration

And that ain't it (think I'll every quit)
I won't quit fighting no matter what

Still I pray to get my hands 'round
Hoping to gain some power and control

The neck of the man wit' the whip
Referring to the slave master or oppressor

Three months pass, they brand a label on my ass
Being labelled and degraded as property

To signify
Represent the fact that I am owned and not free

Owned
Being owned as property

I'm on the microphone
Using music as a means of expression and resistance

Sayin' 1555
Referring to the year that slaves were first brought to America

How I'm livin'
Describing the harsh reality of being a slave

We been livin' here
Being trapped and oppressed in this place

Livin' ain't the word
This is not true living

I been givin'
Despite the oppression, I have been giving it my all

Haven't got
Not having access to basic necessities and rights

Classify us in the have-nots
Placing us in a category of those who do not have resources or power

Fightin' haves
Fighting those who do have power and resources

'Cause it's all about money
The root of oppression and inequality lies in the desire for money and power

When it comes to Armageddon
Referring to the end of the world or extreme crisis

Mean I'm getting mine
I will do what I need to do to survive

Here I am turn it over Sam
Asking for assistance from a higher power

427 to the year
Referring to the length of time black people have been oppressed in America

Do you understand
Do you comprehend the level of suffering and injustice?

That's why it's hard
The level of oppression and suffering makes it hard to love the land that is oppressing us

For the black to love the land
Despite the oppression, black people are expected to love and be loyal to their country

Once again
Reiterating the message

I know
Asserting knowledge and awareness

Where I'm from, not dum diddie dum
Despite oppression, I am still aware of my roots and history