Soul Decay
Roots Manuva Lyrics

The dark art
Roots Manuva is introducing his song and setting a somber tone

Bring the pensive dub
He is calling for deep contemplation or meditation with the accompaniment of dub music

The dub is wise
Roots Manuva believes that dub music is full of knowledge and insight

Open your eye-dem
He is urging listeners to be watchful, attentive and perceptive

From nineteen-long time them let loose the crackin'
He is referring to the past when people started using crack cocaine heavily

The god that 'nuff praise is Sterling collapse
The British pound, which is highly valued and praised, is losing its value and collapsing

Eyes closed, heads bowed, I hear the prayer
He is observing individuals praying or hoping for improvement in situations they cannot control

Proud, them must sing praise to the pound sign, sire
People are blindly praising and worshiping money, particularly the British pound

Hoping that they read from their pinnacle lessons
He is suggesting that people should learn from their past mistakes and not repeat them

'Nuff buy scratch cards and gain jack-shit
People are wasting their money by buying scratch cards hoping to win, but they always end up losing

Nothin' ain't fair in love, strife and war
Life is unfair, especially when it comes to love, conflict and hardship

Fat cats get fat while the poor stay brass
The rich become richer while the poor remain poor

Nothin' could go on without brack-a-tiv(?)
He is implying that illegal activities, such as drug dealing or gang activity, are vital to some people's survival or livelihood

Will you live to work or will you work to live?
He is asking the listener if they will dedicate their life to their job or make a living in order to enjoy life

Will you step to the future or dwell on the past?
He is urging listeners to focus on the future and embrace change rather than dwelling on past grievances or failures

For what be your fight, be it color or class?
He is challenging the listener to identify their personal struggles, whether related to race or social status

Know if you can't ask this, the tip is me
If the listener cannot identify their personal struggles, Roots Manuva suggests, they can learn from him

I and I, scammin' on a fat piece of pie
He is admitting that he too uses illegal activities to earn money for himself and his community

And as the greed gets thicker, minds get sicker
The more people focus on greed and money, the more they become corrupt and lose their morality

Bloodthirsty fiends cap cocaine and liquor
He illustrates the danger of drugs and alcohol consumption, which lead individuals to become violent and aggressive

[Chorus]
The chorus speaks to the decay and danger present in the world, particularly in high-crime areas

These streets is thick with bad cliques looking for that raise
There are groups of people who are willing to do anything, including engage in criminal activity, to make money

It don't really matter how these kids get paid
The means by which these groups or individuals acquire wealth is inconsequential to them

'cause we're living in the days of ill soul decay
Roots Manuva argues that the world is in a state of moral decay and depravity

We all got to be something and somebody
Everyone has ambitions and aspirations to become someone great

We all got to find them modes to get large
Individuals must find ways to make a lot of money or become successful, even if illegal or unethical

But when that love for the pound starts flooding
When people become obsessed with making money, they often lose their moral compass and indulge in sinful behavior

Every thought we hold, devil disciples collect souls
This line is referencing the 'love for the pound', which is a metaphor for money. When people become obsessed with money, they often lose their souls or morality

Like my man's bouncing weed ounces and everything's nice
Using drugs can blind people and makes them feel good without realizing the harm they are causing

Then in comes the crackle it bounces him tight
The sudden onset of an addiction to crack cocaine can cause one to become addicted and consumed by the drug

Triple dividends, new-found rank and position
This line is referencing the societal gains that come with making profit through illegal activities

But more reason to be cautious, much more to defend
While making money through illegal activities can bring material gain, it also comes with great risk and danger, hence the need for caution and protection

Ends is meetin', criss skeets is greetin'
People who engage in illegal activities meet in order to exchange goods and services

Bloods them never dreamed shit could feel so criss
People are making so much money or are enjoying their newfound status so much that they are unaware of or indifferent towards the dangers of their activities

While rollin' round the city in a brand-new Benz
This line highlights the material gains of individuals who use illegal activities to their advantage

Feelin' kinda deft 'cause there's cash to collect
People who make money through illegal activities often feel empowered and successful

Ego's on the boost now that ego needs feed
The more people become successful, the more they feel the need to further uphold and fuel their ego

Watch the devil dance, proceed as them lick up the powder
People indulging in drug use without realizing the potential dangers of doing so

Mans start feel like Jesse West 'cause the next plan be to
People feeling like they are on top of the world due to the wealth they have acquired and the status they have achieved

Take out the middleman and make more grand
Individuals who want to make more money by eliminating anyone who presents an obstacle to doing so

[Chorus x2]
Root Manuva uses the chorus again to emphasize the dark and dangerous realities present in society

The roots of evil run deep and keep runnin'
Roots Manuva is implying that illegal activities and their impact on society will only continue to worsen and persist as a result of greed and corruption

You sticka with the cunning while the war drums are drummin'
He is urging the listener to remain observant, vigilant and careful amidst a violent and unpredictable environment

If you don't see now, you might never see
He is warning the listener that if they do not realize the present dangers, they will not be able to survive or succeed in the future

'Cause the enemy strikes with them sick-tight ballistics
The enemies are dangerous and are not afraid to use violent measures to get what they want

Sadistic, no error, in the guise of a friend
The enemies can sometimes appear friendly and innocent while concealing their true, malicious intentions

That was tight from way back, chewin' up the fat
He is referencing past relationships or friendships that may have initially been positive or beneficial but have since turned sour or dangerous

Talkin' 'bout how we gonna keep stuff true
The enemies may pretend to agree with the listener in order to gain their trust

Through the thick through the thin, closer than the skin to flesh
He may have believed the enemy to be a close personal friend, getting through thick and thin together

But everybody has their price
Even close personal friends can be bought or swayed by corruption if the price is right

When the beast strikes ain't no tellin' what will happen
Even when it seems like everything is going well or under control, the danger and impact of the enemies may be unpredictable and uncontrollable

Just when you was thinkin' you was in the same team
The listener may have believed they were on the same side or shared common goals as the enemy

You catch the cold frowsy whiff of a snake in your midst
The realization that the enemy was present and hidden among them is sudden and potentially dangerous

Bringin' blitz to your plans when he done shook hands
The enemy may have made deals or agreements with the listener before making his strike

And said he's cool with his cut
The enemy may have pretended to be satisfied or happy with the arrangement as a means of concealing his true intentions

Now he wants to cut my throat and take the whole lot
The enemy was only pretending to be satisfied or happy because he was always planning to betray the listener and take everything for himself