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.
Tree Of Knowledge
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Abused and altered, I just caught you eves dropping
Adam's rising to pluck the fruit from off the branch
reaching out to touch your inner-drives
Cut me open and count the rings inside to see how long I've been alive
Containing forms of records about the types of storms I've weathered
Leave a stump for kids to carve initials as long as I'm remembered
But lessons go forgotten plus you don't believe a thing
When the breezes begin you're just concerned with flying kites
Till I tangle up your child's play and get you climbing heights
Still reluctant to hear me out admiring the sites
You have no idea what it was like being nailed to Christ
You're swinging from the twigs and limbs that used to hang your siblings
Have respect you selfish self-centered sack of man-made buildings
I was the original pinnacle but now I'm nothing to you but kindling
Tickling my inhibitions of naturally attracting children
Who have a funny idea of what forever is
I witnessed the first time lips kissed with stripped innocence
Not too long after that was I supplying shade
For a man caressing silverbacks trying to get laid
Monkeying around and now they're all dying of A. I. D. S
Government guerilla tactics? That's a farce, I bring the plagues
Cancer? That's just icing on the cake, I nurse and feed ya
Cause you drained me of my sap with taps of perverse procedure
I hold your family background right down to the first amoeba
Watched you grow from just crustacean to a land mammal, it hurts to leave ya
But I've had enough, and it'll be very relieving
Just who do you think supplies the air you're breathing?
Humongous oxygen tanks? As if it's all free
Constantly wondering where your dogs are at?
They're barking up the wrong tree
Wanting proof of identification but I existed before fingerprints
Cognitive dissonance... I hear chainsaws in the distance
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's there to hear it
Does it make a sound? I'll go down quietly but you're feel it
Still these sick like thoughts keep eating away at my inside
Till I'm nothing but hollowed out hide..
The dead tree's still standing, here comes the hunting-ax of lumberjacks
So I attract like lightning when the thunder cracks, I'm under attack
So I may finally... stop... stumble... relax...
The song "Tree Of Knowledge" by Sage Francis is a powerful, metaphorical statement about humanity's relationship with nature, using a tree as a symbol of the earth's plight. The song starts with the statement that the singer is a "construct" of humanity's world, suggesting that he has been created and shaped by human actions, and that he is therefore deeply rooted, polluted, and tortured. These words suggest that the tree embodies the environmental problems that we face today, and that it has been subjected to abuse and alteration by human activity.
The lyrics go on to describe the tree's role as a record of the past, as well as its relationship with humanity. It describes how the tree has witnessed the growth and evolution of humanity from its earliest stages, and how it has been used and abused by humans throughout history. It also addresses the tree's position as a provider of air, shade, and shelter for all living beings, but also its vulnerability to human destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a construct of your world, deep-rooted, polluted and tortured
I am a part of your world, existing in the depths and affected by the environmental destruction and abuse inflicted by humans.
Abused and altered, I just caught you eves dropping
I have been mistreated and changed by humans, and I just caught you listening in on my conversations.
Adam's rising to pluck the fruit from off the branch
People are still driven to take what they want, even if it means causing harm to other living things.
reaching out to touch your inner-drives
Humans are always on the lookout for ways to satisfy their own desires and needs, even at the expense of other beings.
Cut me open and count the rings inside to see how long I've been alive
My age can be determined by counting the rings inside of me, which hold records of the various events and experiences that have occurred in my lifetime.
Containing forms of records about the types of storms I've weathered
The rings inside of me hold information about the various challenges and difficulties I have faced throughout my life.
Leave a stump for kids to carve initials as long as I'm remembered
Even after I am gone, people will continue to leave their mark on the world in some way or another.
But lessons go forgotten plus you don't believe a thing
Despite the experiences and lessons I can offer, people often ignore or forget them and fail to see the value in what I have to say.
Listening to the whispering of my leaves in the wind
Despite failing to heed my advice, people continue to be captivated by the sounds and movements of nature.
When the breezes begin you're just concerned with flying kites
People tend to be more focused on their own enjoyment and entertainment, rather than appreciating the natural world around them.
Till I tangle up your child's play and get you climbing heights
Sometimes nature can disrupt even the most carefully planned activities and cause people to be more adventurous.
Still reluctant to hear me out admiring the sites
Despite enjoying the beauty and majesty of nature, people often ignore or dismiss the messages that the natural world is trying to convey.
You have no idea what it was like being nailed to Christ
Humans have a limited understanding and perspective of the world, and cannot fully comprehend the experiences of other beings.
You're swinging from the twigs and limbs that used to hang your siblings
Humans often use resources that were once part of other living beings, without considering the impact it may have on the environment or other species.
Have respect you selfish self-centered sack of man-made buildings
Humans must have more respect and consideration for the natural world, and for the other species that share it with us.
I was the original pinnacle but now I'm nothing to you but kindling
Once of great importance and significance, humans now view me only as a source of fuel and material for their own purposes.
Tickling my inhibitions of naturally attracting children
Despite the harm that humans have caused, I still feel a natural connection with young people who are drawn to the outdoors and to the wonders of the natural world.
Who have a funny idea of what forever is
Children may not have a clear understanding of the vastness and complexity of the natural world, but they are still curious and eager to explore it.
I witnessed the first time lips kissed with stripped innocence
As a part of the natural world, I have been witness to many important and transformative moments in human history, both good and bad.
Not too long after that was I supplying shade
After many centuries of growth, I have become a source of shade and comfort for people and other species.
For a man caressing silverbacks trying to get laid
Despite my natural beauty and serenity, people may still use me for their own selfish purposes, such as mating or other activities.
Monkeying around and now they're all dying of A. I. D. S
Humans must be more mindful of the impact that their actions have on other species, and must take steps to protect and conserve the natural world.
Government guerilla tactics? That's a farce, I bring the plagues
While humans may blame governments or other organizations for the problems they face, the root cause of many issues is the way that humans interact with the natural world.
Cancer? That's just icing on the cake, I nurse and feed ya
The harm that humans inflict on the natural world has far-reaching consequences, and can even affect humans themselves in the form of disease and other health problems.
Cause you drained me of my sap with taps of perverse procedure
Humans have exploited the natural world for their own purposes, causing harm and damage that has lasting effects on the environment and other species.
I hold your family background right down to the first amoeba
As a part of the natural world, I have a connection to all living things, including humans and other species that have evolved and changed over millions of years.
Watched you grow from just crustacean to a land mammal, it hurts to leave ya
As a part of the natural world, I have watched humans and other species evolve and change over time, and it is painful to see the harm that humans continue to inflict on the environment.
But I've had enough, and it'll be very relieving
After centuries of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of humans, I am ready for relief and for the chance to heal and recover.
Just who do you think supplies the air you're breathing?
Humans often take the services and resources provided by the natural world for granted, without considering the ways in which they rely on and depend on those resources.
Humongous oxygen tanks? As if it's all free
Despite the vastness and ubiquity of the air that we breathe, it is still a valuable and limited resource that must be protected and conserved.
Constantly wondering where your dogs are at?
Humans are often more concerned with the well-being of their pets or other domesticated animals, rather than considering the larger issues affecting the natural world.
They're barking up the wrong tree
Despite their affection for domesticated animals, humans must focus on addressing the larger environmental issues that are impacting the natural world.
Wanting proof of identification but I existed before fingerprints
Humans may demand proof of the importance and value of the natural world, but such proof is unnecessary and illogical, as nature is an essential and integral part of our world and our lives.
Cognitive dissonance... I hear chainsaws in the distance
Despite the very real and pressing environmental issues facing our world, humans often fail to recognize or acknowledge the harm that they are causing, which only leads to further damage and destruction.
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody's there to hear it
Even if humans are not directly present, the natural world still exists and continues to have a profound impact on our world and our lives, whether we recognize it or not.
Does it make a sound? I'll go down quietly but you're feel it
Even if my demise goes unnoticed or unacknowledged by humans, the loss of my presence in the world will still be felt deeply and profoundly.
Still these sick like thoughts keep eating away at my inside
Despite my attempts to remain stoic and resilient, the harm that humans have caused me still has a profound impact, both physically and emotionally.
Till I'm nothing but hollowed out hide..
As a result of environmental damage and human exploitation, I am slowly losing my vitality and resilience, and becoming a shadow of my former self.
The dead tree's still standing, here comes the hunting-ax of lumberjacks
Even after being exploited and damaged by humans, I am still standing tall and proud, but am at risk of further harm and destruction by those who seek to exploit my resources.
So I attract like lightning when the thunder cracks, I'm under attack
Despite my resilience and enduring strength, I am still vulnerable to the unpredictable and chaotic forces of nature and of human behavior.
So I may finally... stop... stumble... relax...
After centuries of serving as a vital part of the natural world, I am ready for rest and relaxation, to reflect on all that I have experienced and to find peace in the knowledge that I will always be a part of the world.
Contributed by Hudson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BlackHeart28
I love the spoken word version
alan Smith
Different but "Boom"wax lyrical.
Tecknitt Øł
Who else has tasted Adam and Eve's apple? Who else has heard this piece? Much love and long live. We're looking for the cure