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.
Water Line
Sage Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I remind myself it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in while I think of the drama
So I stand up, start to pace in my living room
Set my eye to the highway knowing that I'll play chicken soon
There's a vanity plate with my name on it
A musket rifle spitting at my feet
They want me to dance in the middle of the street
And I respect my elders, so I do as I'm told
But I offset the bell curve when I do it with soul, losing control
Guilty feet do have rhythm, they just dance to
The wrong theme music to amuse the villain
Instead of killing, I'll spare the raccoon
And start filling sandbags as I stare at the moon
And let the thoughts flood
Blessed are those who are dammed when the levee broke
How many choked on the steps to a slow dance?
A staircase to a hug with no hands
Accountability hung out to dry on the line of command
We let the thoughts flood
We remind ourselves it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in
Sharing a drink with my father
It's a family affair, the vanity we share
The waterline is rising, all we do is stand there
In the song "Water Line," Sage Francis reflects on his own personal struggles and the turmoil of the world around him. He begins by acknowledging the flood of thoughts that can overwhelm him, but tries to reassure himself that everything is okay and filled with love. However, he knows that this is not entirely true because there is always something that is causing him to sink into a pothole.
Sage then changes his tone and describes pacing back and forth in his living room, trying to come to terms with what is happening in the world. He sees a vanity plate with his name on it and a Davey Crockett hat with a Masonic fat cat under it. This shows how his personal identity is intertwined with the complex, corrupt systems of power in society. He imagines a musket rifle aimed at his feet and senses that he is being forced to dance to the wrong theme music to amuse the villain. Sage recognizes that he must respect his elders and do as he's told, but still finds a way to express himself with soul.
The second verse continues with Sage reflecting on the broken levees and the damage they caused. He acknowledges the hurt that has been done and the lack of accountability among those in power. He ends the verse by sharing a drink with his father, symbolizing how these issues are not just individual struggles, but generational ones as well. The water line is rising, but they just continue to stand there, unable to do much about it.
Line by Line Meaning
I just sit there and let the thoughts flood
I allow my thoughts to take over without control.
And I remind myself it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
I try to comfort myself, but deep down, I know there's a problem.
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
There is a weak spot in my mentality or my life that is affecting me.
A pothole I'm sinking in while I think of the drama
I am overwhelmed by some dramatic situation that is consuming me.
So I stand up, start to pace in my living room
I try to take control of my thoughts by moving around.
Set my eye to the highway knowing that I'll play chicken soon
I am acknowledging that I am heading towards a dangerous situation.
There's a vanity plate with my name on it
I am confronted with a display of ego and status.
There's a Davey Crockett hat with a Masonic fat cat under it
There is a display of power and influence that is intimidating.
A musket rifle spitting at my feet
I feel threatened by someone or something that has the power to harm me.
They want me to dance in the middle of the street
I am being pushed to do something dangerous or foolish.
And I respect my elders, so I do as I'm told
I feel an obligation to comply with authority figures.
But I offset the bell curve when I do it with soul, losing control
I rebel against authority and lose my composure in the process.
Guilty feet do have rhythm, they just dance to
I am capable of wrongdoing and not always pure in my actions.
The wrong theme music to amuse the villain
I unintentionally play into the hands of those who wish me harm.
Instead of killing, I'll spare the raccoon
I will try to avoid causing harm, even when provoked.
And start filling sandbags as I stare at the moon
I will take practical, constructive action to protect myself and others.
Blessed are those who are dammed when the levee broke
Those who suffer when disaster strikes are often the innocent victims.
How many choked on the steps to a slow dance?
How many have suffered in the face of seemingly harmless situations?
A staircase to a hug with no hands
An insincere or empty gesture that lacks connection or true meaning.
Accountability hung out to dry on the line of command
Those in power do not always take responsibility for their actions.
We let the thoughts flood
We allow our minds to be consumed by our struggles.
We remind ourselves it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
We try to find comfort in the midst of our troubles.
Sharing a drink with my father
Spending time with family can be a source of comfort and support.
It's a family affair, the vanity we share
Even within close relationships, ego and pride can be a destructive force.
The waterline is rising, all we do is stand there
We are facing a crisis or impending danger, but feel powerless to act.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK ISHAM, PAUL F. LANDRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyaugustus1009
'Pride and Glory' brought me here.. After listening to this during the end credits, I give big props to Sage Francis. I'm an old school Gil Scott-Heron guy and not much for this generation's rap music, but this joint gave me the same chill, rage, and tears as GSH's 'Jose Campos Torres'...
@JuliusSpin
Sage is 1 of those artists that can just make you real quiet and
listen carefully and leave you quiet long when the songs done.
But I dont know, maybe thats just me. Either way, much respect for
such a great artist. A true poet.
@user-hf5xp1by4c
Yezzzzzzzz
@Boccelli53
This song was my intro to Sage Francis. It broke my heart.
@zadalmelik011
Me too mate.
@Aenkor1982
2021 and all we do is stand there still...
@cognos23
This is clearly the best rap-song i've ever heard - seriously, I am a german guy, and I have to say that this song is easily the most beautiful song I've ever heard. Bravo Sage! I love your work! And I have to say that I know this song for years now - and everytime I hear it I have to think that Sage is THE fucking grandmaster. Thanks for your work man - you have given me much thoughts and inspiratiations - for me you are clearly the number one of all rap artists.
@Peter_Parker361
Bin auch Deutscher aber für mich geht nichts über DCVDNS. "Deeper" Rap ist nicht so meins, wobei das schon einer der besten Songs in dieser Kategorie ist, ohne Frage
@iamwray
I just watched pride and glory. This song is outta sight!
@ellenchristie9608
I heard this song from the wonderful (old now) movie Pride and Glory, love it and going to listen to your stuff now Sage Francis x (Syd, Aust)