Williams has published four books of poetry: "The Seventh Octave", "S/he", ",said the shotgun to the head." and "The Dead Emcee Scrolls"; and released six albums: Amethyst Rock Star, the self titled Saul Williams, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation Of Niggy Tardust, Volcanic Sunlight, MartyrLoserKing and most recently, Encrypted & Vulnerable.
Innocence
Saul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enter the establihment and warn that, warn that
Take that, give it up
I was a young boy
From the suburbs
Playing with gun toys
In an old church
Angels in the skies
Was it the calm voice
From the outskirts
Was it the clear voice
Through the whispers
Contemplative misery
Angelic demise
You could be the president, now pop that, pop that
Enter the establihment to warn that, warn that
Take that, give it up
It was a young day
In an old world
Digital Pompeii
(?)
Question how I learned to see
Beyond the disguise
You could be the president, now pop that, pop that
Enter the establihment to warn that, warn that
Take that, give it up
Presidential, presidential
Let's make this day complete
I rose to find the setting sun beneath my feet
And as I stepped beyond that stone and it stayed in its place
I felt a new warmth taking shape from deep in hidden space
I do not breathe the same
My chest is a cathedral
My ribcage frames stained glass
The story on each panel says new suns are rising fast
And my means have more precision and my needs are fueled by waste
And I'm channeling an alchemy that smells just like it tastes
And the depths that I am reaching are the heights that I've foreseen
And the people give to nature what was taken from the seed
And the children slowly gathered
None of them had ever seen
None of them haved dared imagine how their lives look from a dream
There's no other way around this
It's internal, buried deep
Beneath labyrinthine thought tunnels where the questions pile in heaps
Heaped upon that is a mystery, heaped upon that is a plan
Heaped upon that, the simplicity of a river through the land
And the cows around that river do not graze into the sea
They are inland bred and treasured through their own complicity
And the answers are apparent; difference is all the same
I'm a whale of deepest regions where the ocean floor's aflame
And the source of this great fire is internal; buried deep
The blood of stars configure in volcanic memory
They push beyond the surface, they push upward and out
From the depths of our great sorrows to the pucker of a mouth
Kiss, kiss, kiss
Another century
Kiss, kiss, kiss
Another year
Kiss, kiss, kiss
Another speech
He's kissed, kissed, kissed
To disappear
And we've kissed across a threshold to our present state of mind
Where our feelings fry from memories that rest behind the eye
And our dreams are deep polluted by such tragedies of wealth
And the fish forget they're swimming and their fins morph into tails
And the truth like evolution is evolving as it fails
To keep up with the demands of this modern space and sea
And the skyline of this city are the wills we used to be
And I feel these kids around me as I'm perched on sandy shore
And they're touching me and asking me if I'd like some water or if I'm already dead
So I open up my eye and I'm staring through an arid wind at a white whale's in the sky
And I notice how they are floating and I wonder if they see
Distant cousins in the world beneath where skies are very deep
Saul Williams's song "Innocence" challenges the status quo and calls out for revolution against corrupt political systems. The lyrics imply a need for a figurehead or leader to take charge and lead people to safety. The lines "You could be the president and pop that, pop that, enter the establishment and warn that, warn that/ Take that, give it up" highlight the need for someone to expose the truth behind governmental systems and take action. Williams is making a commentary on power dynamics and the need for change.
The song starts with the personal history of a young boy from the suburbs who slowly learned to see the world through a different lens. He questions the source of his awakening and wonders if it was the voice from the outskirts or the whispers that helped him see the world beyond the disguise. The song also highlights the digital age and its impact on the world, as seen in the lyrics "It was a young day in an old world, Digital Pompeii."
Overall, the song "Innocence" speaks to the need to stay awake, to question the systems that govern us, and to take action. It calls for a revolution against corrupt political systems and highlights the importance of being aware and seeing the world beyond its disguise.
Line by Line Meaning
You could be the president and pop that, pop that
Although you may hold power and influence, you may also face the consequences of your actions.
Enter the establishment and warn that, warn that
Assert your ability and right to use your voice to speak truth to those in power.
Take that, give it up
Challenge the status quo and sacrifice personal comfort for the greater good.
I was a young boy
Reflecting on childhood experiences and reminiscing about past circumstances.
From the suburbs
Growing up in a relatively comfortable and isolated environment.
Playing with gun toys
Engaging in childlike activities with violent undertones that may foreshadow later experiences.
In an old church
Spending time in religious spaces that may have influenced personal beliefs and values.
Question how I learned to see
Wondering about the origins of personal perspective and the factors that shaped it.
Angels in the skies
Seeing the world in a unique and spiritual way that may have resulted from personal experiences and beliefs.
It was a young day
Recalling memories from a specific time in life.
In an old world
Living in a society with established norms and conventions.
Digital Pompeii
Futuristic allusion to the destruction of civilization and technology.
Beyond the disguise
Looking past the surface level of society and individuals to uncover hidden truths.
Presidential, presidential
Repeating a word to emphasize the importance of power and leadership.
Let's make this day complete
Encouraging action and perseverance towards a goal.
I rose to find the setting sun beneath my feet
Feeling a sense of empowerment and euphoria as personal transformation takes hold.
And as I stepped beyond that stone and it stayed in its place
Moving forward while history and the past remain fixed and unchanged.
I felt a new warmth taking shape from deep in hidden space
Sensing a transformative energy that is coming from within and creating positive change in the self.
My chest is a cathedral
Comparing the heart or inner being to a grand and sacred space.
My ribcage frames stained glass
Illustrating the complexity and beauty of the inner being through a metaphorical image.
The story on each panel says new suns are rising fast
Each individual has a unique and powerful destiny that is unfolding rapidly.
And my means have more precision and my needs are fueled by waste
Feeling a greater sense of clarity and purpose in personal actions and intentions.
And I'm channeling an alchemy that smells just like it tastes
Harnessing a transformative energy that is aligned with personal values and beliefs.
And the depths that I am reaching are the heights that I've foreseen
Personal growth and transformation are leading to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.
And the people give to nature what was taken from the seed
Emphasizing the importance of nurturing and preserving the environment and natural resources.
And the children slowly gathered
Reference to the importance of young generations in shaping the future.
None of them had ever seen
Acknowledging the lack of prior knowledge and experiences in younger generations.
None of them haved dared imagine how their lives look from a dream
Encouraging young people to imagine and aspire to the life they desire.
There's no other way around this
Accepting the reality of a situation and acknowledging that there is no easy solution.
It's internal, buried deep
Personal transformation requires introspection and reflection on one's inner self and potential.
Beneath labyrinthine thought tunnels where the questions pile in heaps
Navigating complex and sometimes overwhelming mental processes to reach deeper understanding and clarity.
Heaped upon that is a mystery, heaped upon that is a plan
Personal transformation requires both faith in the unknown and clarity of intention and action.
And the cows around that river do not graze into the sea
Observing the natural balance and order in the world.
They are inland bred and treasured through their own complicity
Valuing the connection between humans and animals and recognizing individual roles and responsibilities.
And the answers are apparent; difference is all the same
Despite external differences, individuals share common goals and aspirations.
I'm a whale of deepest regions where the ocean floor's aflame
Describing personal transformation as a powerful and otherworldly force that is transforming the self from within.
And the source of this great fire is internal; buried deep
The potential for transformative energy and healing comes from within the self.
The blood of stars configure in volcanic memory
Referencing the power and energy of the universe, and its role in shaping the self.
They push beyond the surface, they push upward and out
The transformative energies within the self push to the surface and beyond, creating positive change.
From the depths of our great sorrows to the pucker of a mouth
Transformational energy can be found in the most difficult and complex experiences.
Kiss, kiss, kiss
Repetition of a word to emphasize a sensual and immersive experience.
Another century
Reflecting on the passage of time and the evolution of the self and the world around us.
Another year
Acknowledging the cyclical nature of time and the opportunities for personal growth and change that come with it.
Another speech
Considering the importance of continuous communication and dialogue to create positive change.
He's kissed, kissed, kissed
Repetition of a word to emphasize a particular action or outcome.
To disappear
Acknowledging the fleeting and temporary nature of power and influence.
And we've kissed across a threshold to our present state of mind
Personal transformation has led to new perspectives and ways of being in the world.
Where our feelings fry from memories that rest behind the eye
Emotions and personal experiences shape our current state of being and perspective.
And our dreams are deep polluted by such tragedies of wealth
The negative effects of societal values and norms can impact personal aspirations and goals.
And the fish forget they're swimming and their fins morph into tails
Describing the harmful effects of environmental pollution and other human impacts on the natural world.
And the truth like evolution is evolving as it fails
The concept of 'truth' is constantly changing and evolving, just like the rest of the world around us.
To keep up with the demands of this modern space and sea
The world is changing rapidly, and it can be challenging for individuals to adapt and stay true to themselves.
And the skyline of this city are the wills we used to be
Reflecting on personal and societal growth and transformation over time.
And I feel these kids around me as I'm perched on sandy shore
Acknowledging the importance of younger generations and their role in shaping the world.
And they're touching me and asking me if I'd like some water or if I'm already dead
Illustrating the innocence and curiosity of youth, and the desire to connect with and care for others.
So I open up my eye and I'm staring through an arid wind at a white whale's in the sky
Experiencing a surreal and transformative moment that transcends normal reality.
And I notice how they are floating and I wonder if they see
Reflecting on the differences and similarities between individuals and groups in the world.
Distant cousins in the world beneath where skies are very deep
Describing the interconnectedness of all living beings on Earth, regardless of external differences.
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.