Liquid Swords
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

See, sometimes...
RZA sets the backdrop for the song and prepares listeners for a trip back in time.

You gotta flash em back
RZA believes that it is necessary to remind people of the origins of hip hop.

See niggaz don't know where this shit started
RZA believes that many people are not aware of hip hop's roots.

I'm sayin we gonna take why'all back to the swords
RZA asserts that the song aims to bring the audience back to the roots of hip hop.

When the MC's came, to live our their name
GZA highlights the significance of the MC and how important it was for rappers to make a name for themselves.

And to perform (forrrrm)
GZA emphasizes that MCs aspire to put on a great show.

Some had, to snort cocaine (caiiinnne) to act insane (sannne)
GZA talks about the drug use that was commonplace among rappers.

With before Pete Rock-ed it on, now gone
The emergence of new rap artists since the time of Pete Rock, illustrates the dynamic nature of hip hop.

That the mental plane (plaaanne) to spark the brain (brainnn)
Hip hop has an intellectual component that can be stimulating.

With the building to be born
Hip hop is continuously evolving, building upon past successes to produce innovative forms of music.

Fake niggas get flipped
GZA stresses that authenticity in rap is important.

In mic fights I swing swords and cut clowns
GZA presents a metaphor to say that MC's compete through lyrical battles.

Shit is too swift to bite you record and write it down
GZA believes that rap is an entirely improvisational art form; it is not something that can be easily transcribed.

I flow like the blood on a murder scene, like a syringe
GZA's flow is compared to a murder scene, underscoring the violence inherent in much early hip hop.

On some loud howl shit, to insert a fiend
GZA references drug use and infers that some rappers rap about drugs to attract addicts.

But it was yo ock, the shop stolen art
GZA is calling out those who steal other rappers' styles and pass them off as their own.

Catch a swollen heart from not rollin smart
GZA warns listeners that if they do not respect rap's origins, they will incur the wrath of those who do.

I put mad pressure, on phony wack rhymes they get hurt
GZA asserts that if rappers do not come with meaningful lyrics, they will get called out for their lack of talent.

Shit's played, like zodiac signs on sweatshirt
GZA uses a simile to illustrate how pointless some rappers' lyrics can be.

That's minimum, and feminine like sandals
GZA critiques rappers with soft, unassertive flow patterns.

My minimum table stacks a verse on a gamble
GZA sees his talent as a gamble that could pay off or not.

Energy is felt once the cards are dealt
GZA believes his talent is self-explanatory and speaks for itself.

With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts
GZA compares his flow to martial arts strikes to suggest that he hits hard.

That attack, the mic-fones like cyclones or typhoon
GZA sees himself delivering lyrical assaults on the mic.

I represent from midnight to high noon
GZA takes pride in his ability to spit rhymes at any time of the day.

I don't waste ink, nigga I think
GZA values his penmanship and situates himself as a thoughtful lyricist.

I drop megaton BOMBS more faster than you blink
GZA emphasizes that his lyrics come fast and furious, packing a heavy punch.

'Cause rhyme thoughts travel at a tremendous speed
GZA asserts that good rappers think quickly.

Through clouds of smoke, of natural blends of weed
GZA references drug use and implies that he raps better when he's under the influence.

Only under one circumstance is if I'm blunted
GZA admits that he only raps better when he's blazed.

Turn that shit up, my clan in da front want it
GZA's fans are eager to hear more, and he encourages the listener to turn up the volume.