Noted for his intense flow and sharp wit, Francis has won acclaim both as a freestyle battler and as an unapologetic, intellectual lyricist. Francis uses a broad emotional palette to address a wide range of personal, cultural, and political issues. His unconventional style and persona have given him crossover appeal, but at the same time alienated some hip-hop listeners.
Prior to embarking on a full-time career as an MC, Francis displayed his skills in slam poetry. During the late 1990s, he recorded his first demo tape (1996), fronted the now defunct Providence hip-hop band Art Official Intelligence, and hosted a weekly slot on independent radio station WRIU (the "True School Session"). He also formed the Non-Prophets and released a 12” (Drop Bass/Bounce/I Keep Calling, Emerge Records, 1999), following up in 2003 with their first full-length offering, Hope. Francis is a contemporary of underground hip-hop artists such as Slug, Eyedea, Sole and the anticon. collective. He is also loosely affiliated with the vague underground hip-hop super-group The Orphanage.
As a solo performer, Francis won the MC battle at the 2000 Scribble Jam, and in 2001 he came close to repeating as champion (semi-finalist) while performing as his "metal" alter ego, "Xaul Zan". Francis released his first proper solo album, Personal Journals, on Anticon. in 2002. He toured with a live band on the Live Band Dead Poet Tour to support it. Francis subsequently became the first hip-hop artist to sign with Punk label Epitaph, agreeing to a three-album deal. His first album for Epitaph, A Healthy Distrust, was released in early 2005 and was followed up with Human the Death Dance in 2007.
One of Francis' best-known tracks is "Makeshift Patriot", a commentary on the American media recorded one month after the September 11, 2001 attacks which he released on the internet as an MP3 as well as a limited edition 7" single.
In February 2005 Sage dropped his second full length album on the originally punk label Epitaph, it was widely regarded as the best underground hip hop album of the year by critics and fans alike and featured heavily political tracks such as "The Buzz Kill" and "Slow Down Gandhi" and more personal material like that more similar to that of his debut 'Personal Journals' such as 'Bridle' and a few heavily satirical comments on the modern day rap and urban scene such as the satirical comment on youth gun culture 'Gunz Yo'.
Sage has helped to set up the Wiki KnowMore.org which is described as a 'way to keep tabs on the some of the biggest and most dangerous businesses in the world'. He is a vegetarian and also chooses to abstain from drugs and drinking, though doesn't label himself as "straight-edge" because he believes "you shouldn't define yourself by what you don't do."
Sage has set up his own label and signed some of who he claims to be his favorite artists of the moment such as Buck 65 and Proplyphic and Reanimator named Strange Famous (which shares his initials) with which he released his most recent work 'Human the Death Dance'
This album was released in May 2007 and takes a step away from the heavily political 'Healthy Distrust' and heads back to the more personal lyrics of 'Personal Journals' and comments on modern culture. The album features cameos from many Strange Famous artists such as Buddy Wakefield, Buck 65 and Reanimator.
In 2010 Sage released his fourth full length album Li(f)e (the title coming from the famous quote from 'The Cure' on the Non-Prophets album Hope "Life is just a lie with an f in it and death is definite"). The album was extremely well received and one particular single off of the album 'The Best Of Times' received extensive air play on the popular British radio station Radio 1. After Sages Li(f)e tour Sage has stated that he will no longer be doing tours but will still be releasing albums and other materials, instead he will be doing select gigs throughout each year.
On 3 June 2014, Sage released his fifth studio album 'Copper Gone'. It is the first official studio album after Sage Francis announced his hiatus, which lasted for four years.
Broken Wings
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she's a fairy with broken wings
I used to watch her perform
And if she hears me I hope she sings songs
That had me going right back
Couldnt find anyone in town to talk
Bout how no one like that
Should be confined to the ground we walk
She glides but just seems like she floats
And these folks decide to crush her wings until there permanently broke
She rides gusts of wind just by the way she spoke
She crys but loves to sing songs of freedom and hope
On the eastside hustling discussing things that we quote
In shallow conversation as if we have deep throats
We chokin on confusion
Now show up as a heat stroke of we need coats
Trading in our cheap jokes for her see notes
I see notes being passed
I ask to see what these creeps wrote
Define silly kids and flying privelages revoke
Ski slopes have been blocked off they can't transit
Had weights tied to her ankles she most definitely can't skip
Down, she's held down by the transripts my hands grip
Tried to tie her wings back on before the ones again clip
Panic stricken, shell remain stuck
On a titantic sinken, she's tryin to stay up
Change her plan thinken its ok
See this is strange but
Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in a way that kept them chained up
I'd like to see
Her take flight into the stars
Instead of letting her fly free they keep her in jars
Instead of letting fly free they keep em in jars
I put my hand to the glass so hard
It might break the prison bars
It isn't hard to see why they keep her captive
she's naturally attractive
Speaks with adlibs, she's uncommonly talented
ain't enough adjectives to do her dispotion justice
Kids are wishin for just a kiss and its a mission to touch her lipstick
can't trust her with
Freedom of movement that's a chance to loose her quick
If she ups and splits
We might as well call that discussion quits
If we's to keep her down the government's underlinks
Enslave people in this town especially if there cultures rich
Exploiting talents making it do a bunch of tricks
With the rest of the wingless imports
Repeatedly told you ain't a ferry just a bitch
Just a bitch, with a butt that's thick
So rub your tits, and thrust your hips
And suck my dick, and run your shit, and run your shit, and run your shit
(Chorus)
she's a fairy with broken wings
I used to go watch her perform
And if she hears me I hope she sings songs
That had me going right back
Couldnt find anyone in town to talk
Bout how no one like that
Should be confined to the ground
(Verse Two)
When I was down in New York she'd send me letters
And I read her passages about how I left it to the savages
No matter how sad it is I didn't cry
Cause it was only a matter of time
Before they figured me out and tried to strip my pride
I knew the scoop
Wish you could of seen the blueprints in my eye
When I flew the coop
Utilizing overground railroads in the sky
It was live or die let me let you in on the secret of mine
Me and you are different girl
We don't even need wings to fly
We don't need wings to fly
Me and you... we don't need wings to fly
Keep on singing give it a try, give it a try
Just keep on singing giveit a try, give it a try (5x)
The song "Broken Wings" by Sage Francis talks about the metaphorical imprisonment of a talented and free-spirited person. The person is compared to a fairy with broken wings who used to give mesmerizing performances. The singer hopes that the person can still sing the songs that had the singer entranced. However, the people around the singer seem intent on clipping the fairy's wings and holding her captive. The fairy is described as gliding, but these people crush her wings and hamstring her freedom. She is still crying for liberation while singing songs of hope and freedom. The other people around the singer are shallow and engage in choking conversations. The singer sees notes being passed around that negatively characterize the fairy. Even though she is naturally attractive and talented, the people want to suppress her freedom of movement. The situation is akin to enslaving someone while exploiting her talents. The resounding message of the song is that the fairy and others like her should be free to fly and not confined to the ground.
Line by Line Meaning
she's a fairy with broken wings
She's a beautiful and talented person who has been broken down and held captive by oppressive forces.
I used to watch her perform
I used to admire her and be inspired by her performances.
And if she hears me I hope she sings songs
I hope she continues to express herself through her music, despite the obstacles she faces.
That had me going right back
Her music had a profound impact on me and kept me coming back for more.
Couldn't find anyone in town to talk
There is a lack of understanding and appreciation for her talents and struggles in this town.
Bout how no one like that
No one as unique and special as her should be held back and oppressed.
Should be confined to the ground we walk
She deserves to be free to soar and reach her full potential.
She glides but just seems like she floats
She has a grace and ease to the way she moves, almost like she is weightless.
And these folks decide to crush her wings until there permanently broke
The oppressive forces in her life have deliberately tried to destroy her spirit and talents.
She rides gusts of wind just by the way she spoke
Her words and voice have power and can move people.
She cries but loves to sing songs of freedom and hope
Despite her pain and struggles, she uses her music to spread messages of hope and liberation.
On the eastside hustling discussing things that we quote
We talk about important topics and ideas, but don't always take action to make a change.
In shallow conversation as if we have deep throats
Our discussions can be superficial, despite our desire to engage in deep conversations.
We choking on confusion
We're overwhelmed by the complexity of the issues we're facing.
Now show up as a heat stroke of we need coats
We're ill-prepared and vulnerable to the challenges we face, like getting caught in a heat wave without appropriate clothing.
Trading in our cheap jokes for her see notes
We need to focus on listening and learning from her music, rather than making meaningless jokes.
I see notes being passed
There is a hidden network of people who appreciate and support her music and message.
I ask to see what these creeps wrote
I want to understand who is trying to hold her back and why.
Define silly kids and flying privileges revoke
Those who don't appreciate or understand her talents don't deserve to benefit from them.
Ski slopes have been blocked off they can't transit
The forces that hold her captive have tried to limit her mobility and freedom.
Had weights tied to her ankles she most definitely can't skip
She is weighed down and held back by the oppressive forces in her life.
Down, she's held down by the transcripts my hands grip
I have a personal connection to her struggle and feel the weight of the forces holding her back.
Tried to tie her wings back on before the ones again clip
I've tried to help her heal and recover her talents, but other forces keep trying to tear her down.
Panic stricken, shell remain stuck
We feel overwhelmed and afraid that we won't be able to break the chains that bind her.
On a titanic sinken, she's tryin to stay up
Despite the turbulent and dangerous conditions of her life, she is determined to stay afloat and survive.
Change her plan thinken its ok
She adapts and adjusts to her circumstances, even when it means changing her plans.
See this is strange but Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in a way that kept them chained up
Abolitionists may have ended slavery, but systemic racism and oppression persisted in other forms that kept Black people from achieving true liberation.
I'd like to see her take flight into the stars
I want to see her reach her full potential and soar to new heights.
Instead of letting her fly free they keep her in jars
The oppressive forces in her life want to control and constrain her, even when it means limiting her abilities.
I put my hand to the glass so hard
I am frustrated and angry at the forces holding her back and want to break through the barriers that keep her captive.
It might break the prison bars
I am determined to break down the barriers between her and freedom.
It isn't hard to see why they keep her captive
The oppressive forces see her talents as a threat to their power and control.
She's naturally attractive
Her beauty and talent are innate qualities that can't be denied, even by her oppressors.
Speaks with adlibs, she's uncommonly talented
Her unique style and abilities set her apart and make her an extraordinary artist.
Ain't enough adjectives to do her disposition justice
Her character and spirit are so complex and multifaceted that words can't fully capture their depth and beauty.
Kids are wishing for just a kiss and its a mission to touch her lipstick
Her allure and talent makes her a source of desire and admiration, even among young people.
Can't trust her with freedom of movement that's a chance to lose her quick
The oppressors fear that granting her freedom would mean losing their control over her and her talents.
If she ups and splits we might as well call that discussion quits
If she were to escape or leave, it would mean the end of any conversation or hope for change in the oppressive system.
If we's to keep her down the government's underlinks
The government is complicit in the oppression of talented people like her, as it serves to reinforce the status quo and power dynamics.
Enslave people in this town especially if there cultures rich
The oppression is often targeted towards people of color or those from diverse cultural backgrounds, as they represent a threat to those in power.
Exploiting talents making it do a bunch of tricks
Talented people are often used for their abilities, but not given the freedom and support they need to reach their full potential.
With the rest of the wingless imports
Others who don't possess her talents or beauty are forced to join her in captivity and oppression.
Repeatedly told you ain't a fairy just a bitch
She is constantly belittled and degraded by her oppressors, who refuse to acknowledge her talents and worth.
Just a bitch, with a butt that's thick
Her physical attributes are often sexualized and objectified, further perpetuating her oppression.
So rub your tits, and thrust your hips
Her oppressors want her to use her body to satisfy their desires and remain passive to their control.
And suck my dick, and run your shit, and run your shit, and run your shit
The oppressors demand complete submission and subservience from her, further entrenching her captivity.
When I was down in New York she'd send me letters
Despite being held captive, she finds ways to reach out to those who care about her.
And I read her passages about how I left it to the savages
She shares her experiences and frustrations with those who have left and can't understand or relate to the oppression she faces.
No matter how sad it is I didn't cry
The situation is heartbreaking, but we must remain strong and hopeful in the face of oppression.
Cause it was only a matter of time before they figured me out and tried to strip my pride
The oppressors will target anyone who threatens their power and tries to escape from their control.
I knew the scoop
I understand the reality of the oppressive system and the challenges we face in trying to overcome it.
Wish you could of seen the blueprints in my eye
I have a vision for liberation and change, despite the obstacles we face.
When I flew the coop
I have tried to escape and resist the oppression, even though it's difficult.
Utilizing overground railroads in the sky
We must find creative and unconventional ways to resist and escape the oppressive system.
It was live or die let me let you in on the secret of mine
We're fighting for our lives and our freedom, and we must do whatever it takes to survive and overcome.
Me and you are different girl
We are both unique individuals, and our experiences and struggles are different.
We don't even need wings to fly
We can achieve greatness and liberation without relying on the oppressive system or anyone else to grant us freedom.
Keep on singing give it a try, give it a try
Despite the oppression, we must keep singing and expressing ourselves, and never give up on our dreams of liberation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cheche Garcia
on Buckets Of Silence
I never held a funeral for that big part of me that died.
I need to put these thoughts to rest. i need to find a peace of mind.
I need to piece my mind, find a piece of mind to rest in.
need to find someone to confide in, and with the rest i need to start restin'.
needless to say, i couldn't hide.
fifteen grown men shouldn't cry.
Cheche Garcia
on Message Sent
I've got some letters inside of my drawer
that should have been stamped and delivered
One is addressed to my ex
it says I'm the type of kid who can't be lived with
One is addressed to my friends
it says I'm a mess so y'all can't visit
One is addressed to myself
but I don't know what personality or hand to give it