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.
Hey Bobby
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the time the flags rotted off of their antennas,
they were questioning who the real threat is.
Big Brotherly love is the 21rst Century's plague.
no matter how bloody the glove, question evidence displayed.
Don't let them upgrade your math no matter what they have as proof of evil.
Remember when they went after the Jewish people?
You don't recognize that same black mask as see through?
Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead
before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted
was a warm bed and a house that wasn't haunted.
I'd rather die for a cause than to die just because
we exhaust natural resources forced into wars,
restoring wasteful ways, keeping other countries poor.
"Monkey see, Monkey do" I wonder what those fucking monkeys saw.
Keep rethinking the still-frames in your mind,
and guarantee they will change with time.
Your outline is pixelated with poor resolution while
downtime is simply wasted. You were born execution style.
Head first in a trial. I'll second the motion
'Til the jury's bored to death and puts your neck in a notion.
The situation's volatile. A naked problem child
is trying to find the right clown costume to make his father smile
So he bombs while he tries to tell jokes.
This ain't a false alarm, can't you smell the smoke?
You're in the line of fire where they buy and sell votes.
Our sense of liberty doesn't ring true, stupid, that's why the bell broke.
Trench coat Mafiosos propel rocks
at recruitment officers and rebel against cops
'Til they hurdle infinite circles in small cell blocks.
Turtle upon turtle 'til they're all shell shocked.
This so-called president got elected in a court room.
With the war efforts of pops he inherited a fortune.
We "talk, talk, talk..." so the veterans of war assume
the revolution stopped. This ain't a protest tune.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fuckin' skin decays."
You can't roam a lost land as the last existing dinosaur.
There's no escaping ass kickings in these times of war,
replacing apples with hospitals...where doctors are hostile,
Killing two pterodactyls with one fossil.
I got you. If they don't fall dead
Before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in it's bald head.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted,
Was a warm bed...and house that wasn't haunted.
Thumb through novels to have your fingerprints match,
The description of criminals committing innocent acts
of compassion for tired civilians crawling with pistols,
While we fire million dollar warning missals.
Force the issues in the back of your head where eyes roll.
Brain wash yourself out of that mind control.
Or act a fool like you're told.
But we won't see no type of justice 'til that bitch removes the blindfold.
This ain't a "Love it or leave it," it's a "Change it or lose it."
I'll never sing the anthem of a nation who never faces the music,
Chasing an ever-elusive caveman
in space ships that makes trips to the futures that are name-brand.
Faking progress...but we ain't advanced
Enough to change the posture of our ape stance?
They've got the key to the city but they prefer the break-in entry.
Duck and weave, I'm shedding light in their shadow box to make it empty.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fuckin' skin decays."
Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead
Before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted
was a warm bed...
There's nothing scarier than the human stories I tell ghosts,
Chilling accounts with my tongue frozen to bed posts.
The catharses of carcasses whenever threats are close,
Shows a heartlessness that doesn't register on stethoscopes.
Sell your hopes for a homeland security chart,
'Til your sense of self is broke and no man's pure in the heart.
Preventive detention for the folks who never left home.
Tensions have grown into a 24/7 red zone.
Scare tactics...have got you under control,
The fear factors of a color code. The uppers know
They can't hold you down without having anchors attached.
"It's all the same." Nah, balls and chains on ankles don't match.
So drag your torso back to the off road.
We may have lost the fashion battle but we ain't lost the wardrobe.
Go window shopping for your next free meal,
Cuz when we start the revolution all you'll probably do is steal.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fucking skin decays."
In this song, Sage Francis critiques the current state of society and government control. He uses the metaphor of eagles being a symbol of the government, and he talks about how he is prepared to fight against the government's control over the people. He starts the song by discussing how people have become skeptical of their government and are questioning who the real threat is. He then goes on to talk about how the government's love is a plague on society, and how they manipulate their people.
He then goes onto discuss how history is repeating itself, using the example of when the Jewish people were targeted, and how people today do not recognize the same black mask as see-through. Francis also talks about how people need to re-evaluate their beliefs and try to think for themselves instead of blindly following what they are told. The song ends with Francis saying that it is time for people to take a stand against their government if they want freedom.
Overall, "Hey Bobby" is a protest song that sheds light on how governments can mislead their people and how people need to stand up for themselves if they want to retain their freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
By the time the flags rotted off of their antennas,
As time passed and the flags faded away from their antennas,
they were questioning who the real threat is.
people started questioning who the actual danger is.
Big Brotherly love is the 21rst Century's plague.
The excessive surveillance and control is like a disease in the modern era.
no matter how bloody the glove, question evidence displayed.
Regardless of how incriminating the evidence seems, it's important to question its validity.
Don't forget what two plus two equals.
Do not let them manipulate and distort basic knowledge.
Don't let them upgrade your math no matter what they have as proof of evil.
Refuse to accept their twisted version of reality, regardless of the evidence they present.
Remember when they went after the Jewish people?
Recall the atrocities committed against the Jewish community.
You don't recognize that same black mask as see through?
Can't you see through the same disguise used to commit atrocities in the past?
Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead
When confronted by those in power, if they don't fall and lose their influence
before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
I will do whatever it takes to defend myself, even if it means fighting back.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted
I reject the manipulated information we're fed. All I desired
was a warm bed and a house that wasn't haunted.
was a comfortable and safe place to live without haunting experiences.
I'd rather die for a cause than to die just because
I would prefer to sacrifice my life for a meaningful purpose rather than dying aimlessly
we exhaust natural resources forced into wars,
we deplete our natural resources due to being compelled into conflicts
restoring wasteful ways, keeping other countries poor.
returning to destructive habits, causing poverty in other nations.
"Monkey see, Monkey do" I wonder what those fucking monkeys saw.
"Imitate others blindly" I question the influence behind these actions.
Keep rethinking the still-frames in your mind,
Continually reconsider the frozen moments in your thoughts,
and guarantee they will change with time.
and ensure they will evolve over time.
Your outline is pixelated with poor resolution while
Your identity is blurry and lacks clarity,
downtime is simply wasted. You were born execution style.
time spent idly is just a waste. Your life started with an oppressive approach.
Head first in a trial. I'll second the motion
Diving straight into a challenging situation. I support the idea.
'Til the jury's bored to death and puts your neck in a notion.
Until the jury becomes disinterested and condemns you.
The situation's volatile. A naked problem child
The situation is unpredictable and unstable. A vulnerable troublemaker
is trying to find the right clown costume to make his father smile
is attempting to find a way to amuse his father, despite his troubled behavior
So he bombs while he tries to tell jokes.
He resorts to destructive actions while attempting to be humorous.
This ain't a false alarm, can't you smell the smoke?
This is not a fabricated warning. Can't you perceive the imminent danger?
You're in the line of fire where they buy and sell votes.
You are in the dangerous position where votes are manipulated and traded.
Our sense of liberty doesn't ring true, stupid, that's why the bell broke.
Our freedom and rights are not genuine, and that's why the symbol of liberty is shattered.
Trench coat Mafiosos propel rocks
Individuals dressed in trench coats launch projectiles
at recruitment officers and rebel against cops
attract the attention of recruitment officers and resist law enforcement
'Til they hurdle infinite circles in small cell blocks.
Until they overcome endless obstacles within confined prison cells.
Turtle upon turtle 'til they're all shell shocked.
Adding layer upon layer of stress until they are completely overwhelmed.
This so-called president got elected in a court room.
The president in question was appointed through legal proceedings.
With the war efforts of pops he inherited a fortune.
Benefiting from the military actions of the previous generation, he acquired wealth.
We "talk, talk, talk..." so the veterans of war assume
We discuss issues extensively, while veterans believe
the revolution stopped. This ain't a protest tune.
the revolution has ended. This song is not a mere protest, but a call for change.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
"Hey, Bobby... those in power have returned. They are engaging in malicious activities, reminiscent of the past.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
They feigned innocence when you exposed their wrongdoing, Bobby. They pretended to be harmless.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby... those bastards have returned. Now it's our chance to hold them accountable.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fuckin' skin decays.'
I will handle it correctly this time... I am aware...I will wait until they are completely exposed and powerless.
You can't roam a lost land as the last existing dinosaur.
As the last remaining symbol of the past, you cannot freely move around in a world that is lost and confused.
There's no escaping ass kickings in these times of war,
There is no avoiding the violence and suffering during times of conflict,
replacing apples with hospitals...where doctors are hostile,
substituting nourishment and well-being with institutions where medical professionals are unfriendly,
Killing two pterodactyls with one fossil.
Achieving two objectives with a single outdated method.
Thumb through novels to have your fingerprints match,
Flipping through books to find a connection with your own experiences,
The description of criminals committing innocent acts
The portrayal of innocent actions as criminal behavior
of compassion for tired civilians crawling with pistols,
displaying empathy towards exhausted individuals who are armed and struggling
While we fire million dollar warning missals.
Meanwhile, we spend exorbitant amounts of money on warning messages.
Force the issues in the back of your head where eyes roll.
Confront the problems that are at the back of your mind, causing frustration or indifference.
Brain wash yourself out of that mind control.
Free yourself from the mental manipulation and conditioning.
Or act a fool like you're told.
Alternatively, behave foolishly as instructed.
But we won't see no type of justice 'til that bitch removes the blindfold.
However, justice will not prevail until the system of law becomes transparent and unbiased.
This ain't a "Love it or leave it," it's a "Change it or lose it."
It's not about blindly accepting the status quo, it's about taking action to bring about change or risking losing everything.
I'll never sing the anthem of a nation who never faces the music,
I refuse to support a nation that avoids taking responsibility for its actions,
Chasing an ever-elusive caveman
Pursuing an outdated and primitive mentality
in space ships that makes trips to the futures that are name-brand.
using futuristic technology to visit predetermined and branded versions of the future.
Faking progress...but we ain't advanced
Pretending to make progress, but in reality, we have not truly advanced
Enough to change the posture of our ape stance?
Are we capable of altering our primitive behavior?
They've got the key to the city but they prefer the break-in entry.
They possess the power to lead, yet they choose to exploit and break the rules.
Duck and weave, I'm shedding light in their shadow box to make it empty.
Avoiding their attacks while exposing their deceptive tactics to render them powerless.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
"Hey, Bobby... those in power have returned. They are engaging in malicious activities, reminiscent of the past.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
They feigned innocence when you exposed their wrongdoing, Bobby. They pretended to be harmless.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby... those bastards have returned. Now it's our chance to hold them accountable.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fuckin' skin decays.'
I will handle it correctly this time... I am aware...I will wait until they are completely exposed and powerless.
There's nothing scarier than the human stories I tell ghosts,
The tales of human actions that frighten even the spirits are truly terrifying,
Chilling accounts with my tongue frozen to bed posts.
Narrating chilling stories with my speech frozen in fear.
The catharses of carcasses whenever threats are close,
The release of emotions when faced with imminent dangers,
Shows a heartlessness that doesn't register on stethoscopes.
Demonstrates a lack of compassion that cannot be detected by medical instruments.
Sell your hopes for a homeland security chart,
Sacrifice your aspirations in exchange for a false sense of safety within your own country,
'Til your sense of self is broke and no man's pure in the heart.
Until your individuality is shattered and no one is genuinely good-hearted.
Preventive detention for the folks who never left home.
Imprisonment of individuals who have never ventured outside their own comfort zones.
Tensions have grown into a 24/7 red zone.
The tensions have escalated to a constant state of conflict and danger.
Scare tactics...have got you under control,
Fear-inducing strategies have successfully manipulated and influenced you,
The fear factors of a color code. The uppers know
The fear created through racial profiling. Those in power understand
They can't hold you down without having anchors attached.
They cannot control you without restraining devices firmly in place.
"It's all the same." Nah, balls and chains on ankles don't match.
"Everything is identical." No, constraints on your ankles do not align with the idea of freedom.
So drag your torso back to the off road.
Pull yourself away from the conventional path and venture into unexplored territory.
We may have lost the fashion battle but we ain't lost the wardrobe.
We may not conform to societal norms, but we have not abandoned our individuality.
Go window shopping for your next free meal,
Playfully browse for your next opportunity to obtain a complimentary meal,
Cuz when we start the revolution all you'll probably do is steal.
Because when we initiate the uprising, all you will likely do is take without giving anything back.
"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. They're up to no good just like the old days.
"Hey, Bobby... those in power have returned. They are engaging in malicious activities, reminiscent of the past.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. They played dead when you stood over their grave.
They feigned innocence when you exposed their wrongdoing, Bobby. They pretended to be harmless.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. It's our turn to stand over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby... those bastards have returned. Now it's our chance to hold them accountable.
I'm a do it right this time...I'm awake...I'm a wait until their fucking skin decays.'
I will handle it correctly this time... I am aware...I will wait until they are completely exposed and powerless.
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wh1zDumb
One of my favorite rappers that flows against America's corruption I just love it. Keep showing us the truth sage
Robert Carrillo
Haven’t listened to this in like fifteen. Still poignant. Church
Jordan Stiles
Put this song back out!!!! We need you Sage!
H. E. Floyd III
One of his all time Illest flows....Sage is a lyrical genius...
downsystem13
Sage Francis will always be underrated, no matter how much he is recognized.
jadrtr
this song still carries merit.
bmst 823
still
Having Fun Yet?
Great track!
SchiThug2CE
Very good track
nomlete
8 years later still Fuego