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.
Day Grows Old
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ready to kill the fire
Spit in the face of figure heads
Give 'em a taste of the shit I said
Build a place for children to escape
The inbred human race of living deadbeat
Dads milking the motherless childcare system
Nightmare from Christian conservatives
They don't fight fair and any
Religion would murder kids
If they don't quite care about the condition
Of the prison where we're serving bids
Once I escape my skin cell I won't
Be banging on the bars of soap
That I dropped into my living hell
The seemingly indestructible knuckles of
My fists are clean
Keeping eyes wide open and bulging
Out like Mr bean
Misdemeanors made to look like felonies
The prison queen
Is existing in his own filth and
Feeling no guilt it seems
It's a dream with cheetah
Speed we're chasing after
Some are running quick
Track teams want me to lead but face the fact
Y'all can't catch up to it
Pace at your own pace on this race track
You'll eventually get lapped on your
Last leg while stretching
My aggression is just a lack of serotonin
Plug the jack of your telephone
In to the wall so I can call your bluff
Just to say what's up, how ya doin'
Now I've ruined the beautiful
Sound of silence
Won't get quiet until the voices in
My head come down with laryngitis
Talking, talking, talking, talking, so
Much to say, so little sense to make
Bedposts get chopped off once
Innocence gets raped
Close the curtains and drapes
Pull down the blinds
Cover your ears, block your nose and mouth
Shut your eyes there's a black box in my
Head which is actually read
When I crash and burn it keeps a
Record of every last word I said
It goes "one" for the finger, fuck
Two for the peace sign
3 strikes, you're out
Casey's at bat with unloaded
Guns in his mouth
As the day grows old we pave this road
When we take control we will save your soul
And it burns just like that
Famous ring of fire sing to inspire
Try to loosen up the dirt
That clings to the tires
Establish some traction
Lingering behind the curtain of satisfaction
I'm certain of nothing, Mr knew it all
Late for my disorientation
Fate glued to the wall
The pain felt could make the brain melt
Heard the shackles on the ankles
Mistook the sound as slay bells
Remember that song called big pimpin'?
It made me want to dance around but
I had no type of rhythm
Then I thought I should write
A song called sick pimpin'
'Cause I know a lot of
Beautiful psycho inspiteful women
Now I'm that cat that tiptoes on this pads
With the gauze on track and so
As not to cause damage
Hello, Miss Management
Time decision making process
Trying to catch the breath I couldn't
Find 'til I lost it
Stand upon a rock I couldn't
Climb if I tried with a fist full of issues
A bag full of pride well alright
I'ma write all the problems on the board
If anyone can answer 'em
I'll let them drive my Ford
I quit searching for the truth
'cause the truth can change
It all depends on how
The furniture's arranged
If you don't take a moment
To sit in the chair
Then there wasn't any point of
Ever puttin' it here
And I'm lovin' every minute as
The day gets vivid
While I'm twistin' up the
Lyrics of existence and it goes
One for the wife and two for the house
Three strikes, you're out
Now please remove my life from your mouth
As the day grows old we pave this road
When we take control we will save your soul
The first verse of "Day Grows Old" by Sage Francis addresses themes of social and political criticism. The song starts with a call to action, urging the listener to gather their strength and confront the problems they see in the world. The lyrics mention challenging authority figures, particularly those who hold power but are disconnected from the realities of everyday people. There is an emphasis on creating a better future for children by dismantling oppressive systems and not allowing ourselves to be controlled by those in power. The lyrics also critique the hypocrisy of certain religious institutions and their disregard for the well-being of children.
The second verse continues the theme of resistance and defiance. Sage Francis portrays himself as someone who is determined to break free from his own personal struggles. The reference to his "living hell" implies a sense of imprisonment or being trapped. He highlights the discrepancy between the severity of his actions and their portrayal as crimes, suggesting that his actions are exaggerated and unfairly judged. The mention of "the prison queen" implies that even those who seem to revel in their own filth and guiltlessness are still trapped in their own private prisons. The lyrics convey an overall sense of frustration and a longing for freedom.
The third verse of the song takes a more introspective approach, delving into themes of communication and the power of words and silence. Sage Francis plays with the idea of using a telephone as a metaphor for calling out someone's bluff or falsehoods. He disrupts the silence to disrupt the status quo and challenge societal norms. The lyrics suggest a deep desire for the voices in his head to quiet down, possibly implying a struggle with mental health issues. The overwhelming need to speak out and be heard contrasts with the desire for silence and tranquility, hinting at a complex internal struggle.
The song concludes with a chorus that emphasizes the passage of time and the need for individuals to take control of their own lives. The lyrics suggest that as the day progresses, we have the power to shape our own paths and save ourselves. There is a sense of urgency and determination to make the most of our existence. The repetition of the line "When we take control we will save your soul" implies a collective responsibility to take action and make positive changes in the world. Overall, "Day Grows Old" by Sage Francis is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged song that addresses issues of social justice, personal struggles, and the transformative power of action.
Line by Line Meaning
Build up your saliva and get
Prepare yourself and gather your resolve
Ready to kill the fire
Prepared to extinguish the metaphorical flames
Spit in the face of figure heads
Defy and challenge those in positions of power and authority
Give 'em a taste of the shit I said
Make them confront the harsh truth of my words
Build a place for children to escape
Create a refuge for innocent children to find solace
The inbred human race of living deadbeat
The stagnant and unproductive society we live in
Dads milking the motherless childcare system
Exploiting the welfare system meant for parentless children
Let the sleepers have another
Allow the ignorant and complacent to remain blind
Nightmare from Christian conservatives
A nightmare provoked by conservative religious beliefs
They don't fight fair and any
They are not just and any
Religion would murder kids
Religion has the capacity to harm innocent children
If they don't quite care about the condition
If they do not care about the state
Of the prison where we're serving bids
Of the oppressive system we are trapped in
Once I escape my skin cell I won't
Once I free myself from self-imposed limitations
Be banging on the bars of soap
I will no longer be fighting futile battles
That I dropped into my living hell
That I inadvertently brought upon myself
The seemingly indestructible knuckles of
The resilient strength of
My fists are clean
My actions are justified and righteous
Keeping eyes wide open and bulging
Remaining vigilant and alert
Out like Mr bean
Similar to the comically wide-eyed character
Misdemeanors made to look like felonies
Minor offenses portrayed as serious crimes
The prison queen
The dominant figure in the oppressive system
Is existing in his own filth and
Is burdened by their own immoral actions
Feeling no guilt it seems
Experiencing no remorse
It's a dream with cheetah
It feels like a fast-paced dream
Speed we're chasing after
We are relentlessly pursuing success
Some are running quick
Some are making progress quickly
Track teams want me to lead but face the fact
Others want me to lead, but the reality is
Y'all can't catch up to it
You all cannot keep up
Pace at your own pace on this race track
Move at your own speed in this competition
You'll eventually get lapped on your
You will eventually be surpassed in your
Last leg while stretching
Final effort while struggling
My aggression is just a lack of serotonin
My anger is rooted in a chemical imbalance
Plug the jack of your telephone
Connect your communication device
In to the wall so I can call your bluff
So I can expose your lies
Just to say what's up, how ya doin'
Just to casually check on you
Now I've ruined the beautiful
Now I have disrupted the serene
Sound of silence
Quietness and tranquility
Won't get quiet until the voices in
Will not cease until the internal thoughts in
My head come down with laryngitis
My mind becomes temporarily voiceless
Talking, talking, talking, talking, so
Constantly expressing, rambling on
Much to say, so little sense to make
Having many words but lacking coherence
Bedposts get chopped off once
Innocence is lost and one's sense of security fades
Innocence gets raped
Innocence is violated
Close the curtains and drapes
Shut out the outside world
Pull down the blinds
Block out the light and reality
Cover your ears, block your nose and mouth
Avoid confronting the unpleasant truth
Shut your eyes there's a black box in my
Close your eyes, there's a dark secret in my
Head which is actually read
Mind, which is revealed and understood
When I crash and burn it keeps a
When I fail spectacularly, it retains a
Record of every last word I said
Record of everything I uttered
It goes 'one' for the finger, fuck
One finger gesture, screw
Two for the peace sign
Two fingers in a peace sign gesture
3 strikes, you're out
Three failed attempts, you're done
Casey's at bat with unloaded
Casey is facing a challenge without any
Guns in his mouth
Weapons at his disposal
As the day grows old we pave this road
As time progresses, we shape our path
When we take control we will save your soul
When we seize power, we will bring salvation
And it burns just like that
And it hurts intensely
Famous ring of fire sing to inspire
Renowned burning sensation that motivates
Try to loosen up the dirt
Attempt to free oneself from burdens
That clings to the tires
That clings to our wheels of progress
Establish some traction
Gain stability
Lingering behind the curtain of satisfaction
Lingering in a state of contentment
I'm certain of nothing, Mr knew it all
I have no certainty, despite appearing knowledgeable
Late for my disorientation
Always behind in my confusion
Fate glued to the wall
Destiny is stuck and predetermined
The pain felt could make the brain melt
The agony is overwhelming
Heard the shackles on the ankles
Perceived the chains on my feet
Mistook the sound as slay bells
Mistakenly believing it to be jolly bells
Remember that song called big pimpin'?
Recall the popular song 'big pimpin'
It made me want to dance around but
It prompted me to move energetically
I had no type of rhythm
I lacked any sense of rhythm
Then I thought I should write
Then I decided to compose
A song called sick pimpin'
A track about indulging in immoral activities
'Cause I know a lot of
Because I am familiar with numerous
Beautiful psycho inspiteful women
Attractive yet mentally unstable and vengeful women
Now I'm that cat that tiptoes on this pads
Now I am the cautious person stepping lightly
With the gauze on track and so
With protective bandages on my progress
As not to cause damage
To avoid causing harm
Hello, Miss Management
Greetings, person in charge
Time decision making process
Taking the necessary time to make decisions
Trying to catch the breath I couldn't
Attempting to regain my breath that I lost
Find 'til I lost it
Realizing its absence once it's gone
Stand upon a rock I couldn't
Stand on an unattainable pedestal
Climb if I tried with a fist full of issues
Climb even with a multitude of problems
A bag full of pride well alright
A baggage filled with arrogance, fine then
I'ma write all the problems on the board
I will express and address all the issues
If anyone can answer 'em
If anyone can provide solutions
I'll let them drive my Ford
I will entrust them with control
I quit searching for the truth
I have stopped seeking the ultimate truth
'cause the truth can change
Because the truth is subject to change
It all depends on how
It relies on the perspective and context
The furniture's arranged
Everything is structured and organized
If you don't take a moment
If you do not pause
To sit in the chair
To reflect and be present
Then there wasn't any point of
Then there was no purpose in
Ever puttin' it here
Ever creating it in the first place
And I'm lovin' every minute as
And I am enjoying every moment
The day gets vivid
As the day becomes more intense and vibrant
While I'm twistin' up the
While I'm contorting and reshaping
Lyrics of existence and it goes
Expressions of life in my lyrics and it proceeds
One for the wife and two for the house
One for the spouse and two for the home
Three strikes, you're out
Three failures, you are done
Now please remove my life from your mouth
Now kindly stop speaking ill of me
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