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.
When A Rose Dies
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another gun will go
When the rose dies
When the rose dies
Another gun will grow
Rico, rico, now they're running from the narcos
Snitches got the court looking like a side-show
When a rose die, another gun will grow
The irony of life sometimes it makes me think
I'm only fresh for a second then the flesh stinks
It{s back to the earth with the fire ants
Only thing I leave behind is my fingerprints
Yeah, they caught my cuzzo with the fingerprints
Yeah, I ain't seen my brother ever since
When the rose dies
Another gun will go
When the rose dies
When the rose dies
Another gun will grow
Sigo, sigo en lo mismo traficando
En la mía y seguimos controlando
Tiros, tiros en la calle siguen dando
Miro pa' tra' y la poli me está parando
Eyo dime lo que vamo'a hacer
Eyo yo te hago desaparecer
Y todo el mundo matándose
Sigo siendo el mismo
Nunca cambié
Rico, rico, now they're running from the narcos
Snitches got the court looking like a side-show
And the jury give the sentence with their eyes closed
When a rose dies another gun will grow
When the rose dies
Another gun will go
When the rose dies
When the rose dies
We went from barely getting cash from the sidewalk
To now we stand tall like jack and the beanstalk
You know what my people would do to get a passport
Think scarface, kill a diplomat boy
Now I'm thinking that the ice is a diamond mine
That{s a haitian seeing snow for the first time
Sak pase I'm in a new york state of mind
While papa doc had niggas shittin' in the gun line
When the rose dies
Another gun will go
When the rose dies
When the rose dies
Another gun will grow
When a rose dies another gun will grow
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean's song "When A Rose Dies" shed light on various social and political issues, using the idea of a dying rose as a metaphor for violence and its perpetuation.
The repeated line "When the rose dies, another gun will go" suggests a cycle of violence and aggression. It implies that when one act of violence occurs ("the rose dies"), it only leads to more violence ("another gun will go"). This highlights the unfortunate reality that violence often begets more violence, creating a never-ending cycle.
The mention of "narcos" and "snitches" in the following lines reveals the presence of criminal activities and the consequences of betraying criminal organizations. The reference to the court looking like a side-show implies a lack of justice and transparency in the legal system. The jury giving their sentence with their eyes closed suggests a disregard for evidence and a biased decision-making process.
The lyrics also touch upon the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, stating "I'm only fresh for a second then the flesh stinks." This line reflects the fragility of human existence and serves as a reminder of our mortality. The reference to leaving behind only fingerprints emphasizes the transitory nature of individual lives, suggesting that they are easily forgotten or overlooked.
The subsequent verses mention controlling the drug trade and encounters with law enforcement. It speaks to the persistence of criminal activities and the constant struggle for power and control. The repeated refrain of "Rico, rico, now they're running from the narcos" emphasizes the fear and consequences associated with engaging in illicit activities.
The last verse highlights the desire for economic advancement, as the lyrics mention going "from barely getting cash from the sidewalk" to standing tall. It acknowledges the lengths individuals may go to secure a better future, even resorting to violence or illegal activities, as seen in the mention of killing a diplomat.
Overall, "When A Rose Dies" explores themes of violence, the cyclical nature of aggression, the fleeting nature of life, and the consequences of criminal activities. It speaks to the realities and struggles faced in certain communities and serves as a call for reflection and change.
Line by Line Meaning
When the rose dies
The tragic end of a peaceful symbol
Another gun will go
Violence and conflict will escalate
Rico, rico, now they're running from the narcos
People are fleeing from dangerous drug dealers
Snitches got the court looking like a side-show
Informants have turned the justice system into a spectacle
And the jury give the sentence with their eyes closed
The jury makes biased decisions without truly seeing the truth
When a rose die, another gun will grow
The cycle of violence continues to perpetuate
The irony of life sometimes it makes me think
Life's contradictions can lead to deep contemplation
I'm only fresh for a second then the flesh stinks
Youth and vitality fade quickly
It's back to the earth with the fire ants
Returning to the natural cycle of life and decay
Only thing I leave behind is my fingerprints
My actions and impact on the world are my true legacy
Yeah, they caught my cuzzo with the fingerprints
My relative got caught due to evidence left behind
Yeah, I ain't seen my brother ever since
I have lost contact with my brother
Sigo, sigo en lo mismo traficando
I continue on the same path of trafficking
En la mía y seguimos controlando
We remain in control of our territory
Tiros, tiros en la calle siguen dando
Gunshots, gunshots still ringing in the streets
Miro pa' tra' y la poli me está parando
I look behind and the police are stopping me
Eyo dime lo que vamo'a hacer
Tell me what we're going to do
Eyo yo te hago desaparecer
I make you disappear
Y todo el mundo matándose
And everyone is killing each other
Sigo siendo el mismo
I am still the same
Nunca cambié
I never changed
We went from barely getting cash from the sidewalk
We started with little money earned from the streets
To now we stand tall like jack and the beanstalk
Now we have achieved success and power
You know what my people would do to get a passport
My people would go to extreme lengths to obtain a passport
Think scarface, kill a diplomat boy
Reference to violent actions for personal gain
Now I'm thinking that the ice is a diamond mine
The challenges faced are seen as opportunities for wealth
That's a Haitian seeing snow for the first time
Experiencing something new and unfamiliar
Sak pase I'm in a New York state of mind
Feeling connected to New York's energy and mentality
While papa doc had niggas shittin' in the gun line
Papa Doc had people in fear and under his control
When a rose dies
The tragic end of a peaceful symbol
Another gun will go
Violence and conflict will escalate
When a rose dies
The tragic end of a peaceful symbol
When a rose dies
The tragic end of a peaceful symbol
Another gun will grow
Violence and conflict will continue to flourish
When a rose dies another gun will grow
The cycle of violence and destruction persists
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Madeline Nelson, Nel Ust Wyclef Jean, Pedro Torres III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind