Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
Here's To The State Of Mississippi
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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For Underheath her borders, the devil draws no lines,
If you drag her muddy river, nameless bodies you will find.
Whoa the fat trees of the forest have hid a thousand crimes,
The calender is lyin' when it reads the present time.
Whoa here's to the land you've torn out the heart of,
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of!
Here's to the state of Mississippi,
Here's to the people of Mississippi
Who say the folks up north, they just don't understand
And they tremble in their shadows at the thunder of the Klan
The sweating of their souls can't wash the blood from off their hands
They smile and shrug their shoulders at the murder of a man
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
Here's to the state of Mississippi,
Woah and here's to the state of Mississippi,
Here's to the state of Mississippi,
Woah and here's to the state of Mississippi
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean's "Here's To The State Of Mississippi" are a powerful critique of the state of Mississippi, highlighting its history of racial violence and discrimination. The song addresses the deep-seated issues that have plagued the state, from the distorted perception of time and the exploitation of its natural resources to the racism that still persists.
The opening lines, "Here's to the state of Mississippi, For Underneath her borders, the devil draws no lines," suggest that evil has no boundaries within the state. It implies that Mississippi has a dark history that cannot be ignored. The line "If you drag her muddy river, nameless bodies you will find" alludes to the numerous bodies that have been historically hidden or disposed of in the Mississippi River, a symbol of the secrets and crimes that have been concealed.
The song condemns the violence and racial tensions that have plagued the state, with lyrics like "The sweating of their souls can't wash the blood from off their hands" referring to the guilt carried by those who have been involved in or turned a blind eye to acts of racial violence. The mention of the Ku Klux Klan and their role in causing fear and terror highlights the ongoing struggles faced by African Americans in Mississippi.
The repeated lines "Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of" serve as a call for change and a plea for the state to transform itself. It suggests that the state's current identity is irreparable, and a new beginning can only be found by disassociating from its oppressive past.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's to the state of Mississippi
Let's acknowledge and raise a toast to the state of Mississippi
For Underneath her borders, the devil draws no lines
In Mississippi, evil and wrongdoing seem to have no boundaries or limitations
If you drag her muddy river, nameless bodies you will find
If you search the murky waters of the Mississippi River, you will discover unidentified corpses
Whoa the fat trees of the forest have hid a thousand crimes
The dense forest in Mississippi conceals numerous crimes and acts of injustice
The calendar is lyin' when it reads the present time
The official records and dates do not accurately reflect the current state of affairs
Whoa here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Let's recognize the damage caused to the very essence and soul of Mississippi
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of!
Mississippi should consider disassociating itself from its current nation and seek a new identity
Here's to the people of Mississippi
Let's raise a toast to the inhabitants of Mississippi
Who say the folks up north, they just don't understand
People in Mississippi believe that those in the northern regions fail to comprehend their way of life
And they tremble in their shadows at the thunder of the Klan
The people of Mississippi fear the influence and power of the Ku Klux Klan, causing them to live in constant apprehension
The sweating of their souls can't wash the blood from off their hands
Their internal struggle and guilt cannot cleanse them from the bloodshed and violence associated with their actions
They smile and shrug their shoulders at the murder of a man
They show no remorse as they casually accept and ignore acts of murder
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Let's acknowledge the devastation inflicted upon the core values and spirit of Mississippi
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
Mississippi should seek a new nation to belong to, distancing itself from its current state
Here's to the state of Mississippi
Let's raise a toast once again to the state of Mississippi
Woah and here's to the state of Mississippi
Again, let's raise a toast to the state of Mississippi
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL OCHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind