George was featured on Season 6 of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO. He was the 2006 Youth Speaks Grand Slam Poetry Champion, 2006 Brave New Voices International Poetry Slam Champion, and performed in a record six consecutive Youth Speaks Grand Slam Finals. The last three of those audiences, all topping out at over 3,000, were the largest ever for poetry slams anywhere in the world. In 2009 Watsky was one of three poets who performed live on FOX at the NAACP Image Awards in honor of Russell Simmons’ lifetime achievement award.
George has made strides to bring his poetic sensibilities to the theater world. His one-man show So Many Levels has been presented in Boston, San Francisco, Vermont, and at the Hip Hop Theater Festival Critical Breaks series in New York City. He has also been featured at the San Francisco and Washington, DC arms of the Hip Hop Theater Festival. He played the title character and co-wrote a 2004 adaptation of Dante’s Divine Comedy for the Living Word Festival and his stage play Harold’s Fall or King Will is the recipient of the 2009 Rod Parker Playwriting Fellowship.
Sarajevo
Watsky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And they wonder how we'll raise our children
And they tell me that I'm living with a monster
And they whisper that she took up with a villain
But I don't see dragon's scales
And I don't see claws and fangs
All I'm looking at is arms that hold me
Brown eyes that understand
But I know we got a love that's truer than a military sniper's aim
But we won't die in vain
Tie that chain round my waist
And pull me from the bottom of the pit of hell up to your final resting place
Sarajevo, Sarajevo
You're the altar that I pray to
God is love and love is all we have
We were trynna run from the city
Had the hope and the pride of the kids
People wanna put up walls to divide us
Kinda fitting that we died on a bridge
Same souls, both sides of the banks
They say we're different and they're fillin in the facts
But they put the same metal in the bullets
And they put the same bullets in our backs
Kinda love that we got is one in a mill
Ain't no God that I pray to would wanna kill
It's not God but it's fear and it's politics
And a Molotov that was lit with a dollar bill
Don't say that all is lost
Escape this holocaust
My God, Allah, my darling, star and crescent and my cross
Sarajevo, Sarajevo
You're the altar that I pray to
God is love and love is all we have
Sarajevo, Sarajevo
I will honor and be faithful
God is love and love is all we have
Where do we come from? Where do we go?
You could fill up the sea with the things I don't know
But I know what I feel and I know when it's real
And I hope that we heal
We're two drops of the blood and tears
Over thousands of years of the clash of the steel
I'm not blind to the cycle
We're pressed in spine of a Bible
They define the divine by the title
But what did Christ say? To be kind to my rival
You're my kind of revival
It's true ya, my favorite Hallelujah
You my you my favorite Hallelujah
Sarajevo, Sarajevo
You're the altar that I pray to
God is love and love is all we have
In "Sarajevo," Watsky explores the idea of a love that transcends political tensions and war. He's aware of the outside world's opinions about his relationship with a woman who he sees as someone who understands him and comforts him, rather than a monster or a villain. As the song progresses, however, it becomes clear that their love ultimately cannot overcome the violence and chaos of the world around them. The song's title refers to the city of Sarajevo, which was heavily impacted by the Bosnian War in the 1990s.
Watsky also delves into the idea of religion in the song. He may not have all the answers about where we come from and where we're going, but he believes in the power of love above all else. He mentions different religious symbols like the Star and Crescent and the Cross, suggesting that love can be found regardless of religious affiliation.
This song is a poignant reflection on the complexities of love in a world fraught with conflict. It shows that even when love is present, it cannot always overcome the bitter divides that exist in human society.
Line by Line Meaning
And they wonder what our parents say
People question what our parents think about our love
And they wonder how we'll raise our children
People doubt our ability to raise kids together
And they tell me that I'm living with a monster
People think my partner is a terrible person
And they whisper that she took up with a villain
People gossip and spread rumors that my partner is with a bad person
But I don't see dragon's scales
I don't see any signs that my partner is a monster
And I don't see claws and fangs
There are no physical traits that suggest my partner is a villain
All I'm looking at is arms that hold me
All I see is the love and comfort my partner provides
Brown eyes that understand
I see understanding and empathy in my partner's eyes
And when she closed those eyes one final time no pipers came
When my partner passed away, there was no fanfare or ceremony to celebrate her life
But I know we got a love that's truer than a military sniper's aim
I am confident that the love we share is genuine and unwavering
But we won't die in vain
Our love and experiences will not be meaningless
Tie that chain round my waist
I am committed to our love and marriage
And pull me from the bottom of the pit of hell up to your final resting place
I want to be with my partner, even in death
Sarajevo, Sarajevo
The city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
You're the altar that I pray to
Sarajevo represents the hope and love that I believe in
God is love and love is all we have
Love is the most important thing in life, and it should be cherished and celebrated
We were trynna run from the city
We were trying to escape from the violence and conflict in our city
Had the hope and the pride of the kids
We had youthful hope and optimism for the future
People wanna put up walls to divide us
Others want to create divisions and differences between us
Kinda fitting that we died on a bridge
It's ironic that we were killed while trying to cross a bridge, a symbol of connection
Same souls, both sides of the banks
We are all human, regardless of what side of the conflict we are on
They say we're different and they're fillin in the facts
Others try to emphasize our differences and create conflict
But they put the same metal in the bullets
Both sides use the same weapons to kill
And they put the same bullets in our backs
We are both victims of the same violence and conflict
Kinda love that we got is one in a mill
The love we share is unique and rare
Ain't no God that I pray to would wanna kill
I don't believe any God would condone violence or killing
It's not God but it's fear and it's politics
Violence and conflict arise from fear and political motivations
And a Molotov that was lit with a dollar bill
Conflict and violence can be bought and instigated with money
Don't say that all is lost
There is still hope and love in the world
Escape this holocaust
We must flee from the violence and suffering
My God, Allah, my darling, star and crescent and my cross
I believe in and respect many different religions and cultures
Where do we come from? Where do we go?
Questions about the meaning and purpose of life
You could fill up the sea with the things I don't know
I am aware of how much I don't know or understand about the world
But I know what I feel and I know when it's real
I trust my emotions and feelings to guide me towards what is genuine and true
And I hope that we heal
I wish for healing and recovery from pain and suffering
We're two drops of the blood and tears
We are both human and vulnerable to pain and suffering
Over thousands of years of the clash of the steel
Human history is filled with violence and conflict
I'm not blind to the cycle
I am aware of the pattern of violence and conflict in the world
We're pressed in spine of a Bible
We are constrained by religious beliefs and values
They define the divine by the title
Religious institutions create definitions and titles for the divine
But what did Christ say? To be kind to my rival
Jesus spoke about kindness and respect towards those who are different from us
You're my kind of revival
You represent a positive and hopeful force in my life
It's true ya, my favorite Hallelujah
You are my favorite expression of joy and love
I will honor and be faithful
I will respect and remain committed to our love
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brandon Anderson Paak, Dia Frampton, George Watsky, Kushagra Mody
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheNeiraaa
Loads of love from Sarajevo. Thank you for sharing the story of Boško and Admira with the world. Despite its tragic end, it is a hopeful story and I think more people, in Bosnia and in the world, need to know about it in these difficult times. Good job :)
@gwatsky
Thank you Neira, I'm glad you feel that way. Much love
@tommyp467
+WATSKY! Hi. I love you.
@meta1970
just a snail hey I think you may have been a little late for him to see
@avox2612
@WATSKY! dear god you always drop brilliant tacks from the start, you also made me want to get my 06 Subaru after my 95 jeep died
@dannyduchamp
Every human being in that room deserves a fucking medal. That was as amazing.
@Gambino635
Im actually from Bosnia and this song is awesome. I feel so humbled to hear this. Thank you.
@cagriffin101
Watsky, please come out with a live album. I love your shit, but your live performances and the instrumentation just takes it to another level.
@gwatsky
I have a live album- 'Nothing Like the First Time Live from the Troubadour' which is free on my bandcamp page. We're thinking about doing a live album for the All You Can Do Tour also
@fabio-vb7xu
***** Please do.