Chapter 8: Madoff
Sho Baraka Lyrics


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Rich man lies and he rises
Poor man lies and he dies
We do it all for the money
All for the money
All for the money, for the money money money
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us
We tryin' to bloom in the city lights
I think we ask what's up cuz we're scared of heights
Poor man saw his rose die when he lied
Rich man lies, he saw his rose rise
Greed begets more greed
Hood rats love the trap that brings more cheese
We get the world but want more Adam and Eve
I got so much to hide but I need more leaves
The same person addicted to caffeine
Likes to look down at the person who does smoke weed
The war on drugs is the war on us, import make money then lock 'em up
I said doctor can you fix my ills
He thinks fixin' my ills is givin' me more pills (please)
That means I get more bills, poor man can only leave tears in his will

Rich man lies and he rises
Poor man lies and he dies
We do it all for the money
All for the money
All for the money, for the money money money
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us

Get ya hand out my pocket, get ya hand out my pocket
Out my pocket don't ride me no mo
Would less welfare make the poor care and work hard, I really don't know
I know a girl who makes a grip, all she gotta do is strip
She makes about 3 G's maybe 4
I tried to tell her to quit, she's like what's better than this?
Go to college and pay school loans?
Well let me teach you about some ghetto wrath
Baby momma's gettin' beat but still comin' back
School of hard knocks is where she learned to add
3 jobs for 2 kids that's some ghetto math
Rich man can he get a dollar please
Life feels wasted so his pants at his knees
We've all got bad aim in the darkness
How can I reach my goal instead of being a target?

Rich man lies and he rises
Poor man lies and he dies
We do it all for the money
All for the money
All for the money, for the money money money
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us
Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us

She said, he said alright I ain't pointin' fingers...
This is what he said
He said...
I know civility died last week when I couldn't get my kids food to eat
And if opportunity knocks on my door I'm lockin' him in the basement, haha
I see fools gold wearin' fools
Accumulate that gold young man hide it in your mouth
On your neck in your hair on your wrist
Cuz of course that's where it's most profitable
And when your gold... I'm sorry... God begins to wear you down
Appraise your heart and character to see his real glory
We all international player, I just go to learn
Souls of men last forever but money will burn
Thanks for the invite to your melting pot
I feel like I'm the only one that's molten a lot
Your hospitality is a manifest destiny
And the welcome mat is soaking wet, it's from the years of tears
I don't seek resolution of pain amongst the privileged
They tried to break me but all they created was more soul
More strength, watch me dance, watch me dance
I will dance on your bureaucracy




I will dance cuz all I've ever had was a jig, ha
And if you're confused, I'm talkin' to you

Overall Meaning

In "Chapter 8: Madoff," Sho Baraka discusses the destructive nature of greed and money-focused attitudes that lead to societal decay. The song highlights the disparity between rich and poor, while also touching on the deep-rooted desire for more that plagues both groups. The lyrics suggest that people's preoccupation with wealth blinds them to the value of human life and often leads to unethical behavior.


Baraka emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, pleading with God to forgive humanity for its shortcomings. He portrays the world as a dark place where people are worried about their own success and survival at the expense of others. The second verse expands on the theme of greed and reveals the hopelessness that often accompanies poverty. Baraka recognizes that people will do almost anything for financial security, even if it means hurting themselves or others.


The third verse addresses some specific issues, such as the war on drugs and the false idea that welfare creates laziness in the poor. Finally, Baraka delivers a call to action, encouraging everyone to look inward and examine their own hearts and motivations. He concludes by acknowledging that he himself has been guilty of seeking material gain but still declares his determination to rise above the negative influences around him.


Line by Line Meaning

Rich man lies and he rises
The rich man's lies allow him to prosper


Poor man lies and he dies
The poor man's lies lead him to ruin


We do it all for the money
We prioritize money over everything else


All for the money
Our actions are solely motivated by money


All for the money, for the money money money
We are consumed by our pursuit of money


Lord Father forgive us, Lord Father forgive us
Asking for forgiveness for our wrongdoings


We tryin' to bloom in the city lights
We aspire to succeed in a fast-paced urban environment


I think we ask what's up cuz we're scared of heights
Our fear of success holds us back


Poor man saw his rose die when he lied
The poor suffer the consequences of their lies


Rich man lies, he saw his rose rise
The rich benefit from their lies


Greed begets more greed
One's desire for wealth leads to even greater desire for wealth


Hood rats love the trap that brings more cheese
Those living in poverty often engage in illegal activities for financial gain


We get the world but want more Adam and Eve
We are never satisfied, always wanting more


I got so much to hide but I need more leaves
We try to hide our secrets but continue to make mistakes


The same person addicted to caffeine
People often judge others despite their own flaws


Likes to look down at the person who does smoke weed
We judge and criticize others for their choices


The war on drugs is the war on us, import make money then lock 'em up
The war on drugs is unjust and disproportionately affects certain groups


I said doctor can you fix my ills
Asking for medical help


He thinks fixin' my ills is givin' me more pills (please)
The medical system prioritizes pharmaceutical solutions over finding the root of the problem


That means I get more bills, poor man can only leave tears in his will
Medical expenses can be a burden for those who cannot afford them


Get ya hand out my pocket, get ya hand out my pocket
Stop taking advantage of me


Out my pocket don't ride me no mo
Stop exploiting me for my money


Would less welfare make the poor care and work hard, I really don't know
The effectiveness of welfare programs is unclear


I know a girl who makes a grip, all she gotta do is strip
Some women resort to stripping as a means of financial support


She makes about 3 G's maybe 4
She earns $3000-$4000 from stripping


I tried to tell her to quit, she's like what's better than this?
It can be difficult for individuals to leave lucrative, but unhealthy, situations


Go to college and pay school loans?
The cost of education can be a barrier


Well let me teach you about some ghetto wrath
Experience living in poverty is an education in itself


Baby momma's gettin' beat but still comin' back
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue in low-income communities


School of hard knocks is where she learned to add
Life experience can teach someone more than formal education


3 jobs for 2 kids that's some ghetto math
Low-income individuals must work multiple jobs to support their families


Rich man can he get a dollar please
The wealthy still want even more money


Life feels wasted so his pants at his knees
The wealthy can feel unfulfilled despite their wealth


We've all got bad aim in the darkness
We all make mistakes


How can I reach my goal instead of being a target?
How do I avoid getting derailed on my way to success?


She said, he said alright I ain't pointin' fingers...
A disclaimer that no one is being blamed


This is what he said
Beginning a different perspective


I know civility died last week when I couldn't get my kids food to eat
Life without basic necessities can make manners and kindness difficult


And if opportunity knocks on my door I'm lockin' him in the basement, haha
Fear of failure can lead to rejecting new opportunities


I see fools gold wearin' fools
People pursuing riches can be misled


Accumulate that gold young man hide it in your mouth
Hoarding wealth is seen as desirable


Cuz of course that's where it's most profitable
We prioritize financial gain over all else


And when your gold... I'm sorry... God begins to wear you down
We can become disillusioned with wealth


Appraise your heart and character to see his real glory
The true measure of our worth is found in our character


We all international player, I just go to learn
We all participate in the same game of life


Souls of men last forever but money will burn
Material wealth is not permanent


Thanks for the invite to your melting pot
Thanks for welcoming me to this diverse community


I feel like I'm the only one that's molten a lot
I feel like I'm constantly changing and adapting


Your hospitality is a manifest destiny
Your generosity is integral to your way of life


And the welcome mat is soaking wet, it's from the years of tears
Generosity and hospitality can be bittersweet


I don't seek resolution of pain amongst the privileged
I don't expect those in power to alleviate the pain of those suffering


They tried to break me but all they created was more soul
Adversity can strengthen one's character


More strength, watch me dance, watch me dance
I am resilient and will overcome


I will dance on your bureaucracy
I will not let society's structures hold me down


I will dance cuz all I've ever had was a jig, ha
Celebrating life despite hardships


And if you're confused, I'm talkin' to you
This message is for everyone




Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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