Blood is thicker than water
Wyclef Jean featuring G&B (The Product) Lyrics

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(Italian speaking)

Yo, I'm rolling with the wise guys
You don't wanna testify
I thought it was a movie till they paid me off in jury duty
I can't front the check came in handy
‘cuz my baby mother stressing me like Edith did Archie
They welcomed me into the family

Bought me a Porsche and a crib out in Jersey
I told my moms she wasn't thrilled
She told me they like mad lions son, they shoot to kill
And leave your body on the hill
Massacre similar to what happened in Amityville
I'm sitting back with a fifth
Reminiscing on who I miss
Sliding the family stone in the CD disc

(Chorus:)
It's a family affair (X4)

Blood is thicker than water
The feds got me under pressure, yeah
They say I might not see sunlight again
Unless I snitch on my mans
And that won't happen, no no

(Chorus)

They want me to go undercover
They want me to wear a wire too
It'll never happen
Cause I can't see
Me going against my family tree
It's a family affair

(Chorus)

By the time you get this letter
I hope that you're in good health, mom
I never meant to hurt you
I never meant to do you wrong
I know you raised me
In the ways of righteousness
And this is gonna be the last time I do a bit
I want out now
He laughed and said, Please Hee Hee
You can check out but you can't leave
I'll cut you up in so many pieces 'Clef
That even if I sent your mom the instruction
She couldn't put you back together
4-5 ways to be circumcised
Times stand still when the murders on the rise
Any last words
Give my regard to Tony Soprano....

(Chorus X2)

Overall Meaning

The song, Blood Is Thicker Than Water, by Wyclef Jean featuring G&B (The Product), is about the loyalty of a person to their family or community, even in the midst of illegal activities. The song talks about the singer's involvement with a group of wise guys, who welcomed him into their family and provided him with monetary benefits. The singer's mother is concerned about his association with the group, warning him that they are violent and ruthless. The singer, however, is reluctant to abandon them, even when pressured by the authorities to snitch on his friends to avoid a prison sentence. The song ends with the singer writing a letter to his mother, expressing his remorse and his desire to break free from his criminal lifestyle.

The lyrics of the song are simple yet powerful, conveying the conflicting emotions of the singer, torn between two loyalties. The chorus, "It's a family affair, blood is thicker than water," sums up the central theme of the song. The rhyme scheme of the verses is irregular, giving the lyrics a conversational feel, as if the singer is speaking directly to the listener. The mood of the song is somber and introspective, suggesting that the singer is reflecting on his life choices.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, I'm rolling with the wise guys
I am hanging out with the experienced and knowledgeable people who have likely been through similar scenarios as this one.

You don't wanna testify
It is not in your best interest to state the truth about the situation.

I thought it was a movie till they paid me off in jury duty
I believed that this was all just a reenactment until they bribed me during my jury duty service.

I can't front the check came in handy
I won't lie the money was very helpful in my current situation.

'Cuz my baby mother stressing me like Edith did Archie
My partner is causing me as much stress as Edith Bunker caused Archie Bunker.

They welcomed me into the family
They accepted me as one of their own.

Bought me a Porsche and a crib out in Jersey
They purchased a luxury car and home located in New Jersey for me.

I told my moms she wasn't thrilled
I informed my mother but she was not overjoyed for me.

She told me they like mad lions son, they shoot to kill
She warned me that they are ruthless and will not hesitate to kill.

And leave your body on the hill
They would dispose of your remains on the hills, and it would not be found easily.

Massacre similar to what happened in Amityville
The massacre would be similar to the gruesome incident that occurred in Amityville.

I'm sitting back with a fifth
I'm casually drinking an alcoholic beverage.

Reminiscing on who I miss
I am contemplating the people who I have lost in life.

Sliding the family stone in the CD disc
I am playing a CD that contains a memorial tribute to my deceased loved ones.

(Chorus:) It's a family affair (X4)
The situation is an internal family matter.

Blood is thicker than water
Family relationships are more important and influential than other types of connections.

The feds got me under pressure, yeah
The government authorities are causing me significant stress and anxiety.

They say I might not see sunlight again
They are warning me that I could potentially receive a lifespan sentence in prison.

Unless I snitch on my mans
Unless I betray my close associates by informing the authorities of their actions,

And that won't happen, no no
I refuse to do so under any circumstances.

(Chorus)
The situation is an internal family matter.

They want me to go undercover
They would like me to conceal my true identity and intentions from others.

They want me to wear a wire too
They would like me to wear a concealed recording device on my person.

It'll never happen
I will refuse to comply and cooperate with their requests.

Cause I can't see
I cannot comprehend disloyalty and betrayal to my family.

Me going against my family tree
It would go against my family's long-standing customs and beliefs.

It's a family affair
The situation is an internal family matter.

(Chorus)
The situation is an internal family matter.

By the time you get this letter
When you receive this communication,

I hope that you're in good health, mom
I wish you are healthy and emotionally stable, mother.

I never meant to hurt you
I was not intentional in causing you emotional pain.

I never meant to do you wrong
I did not mean to cause you harm or be unfaithful.

I know you raised me
I understand that you provided me with the moral principles to follow.

In the ways of righteousness
You taught me to live ethically and with integrity.

And this is gonna be the last time I do a bit
This is the final time I will spend time incarcerated.

I want out now
I want to be released from prison immediately.

He laughed and said, Please Hee Hee
He chuckled and replied, Oh please [as if mocking his request]

You can check out but you can't leave
You can't just detach yourself from the family, there are repercussions and consequences with any such decision.

I'll cut you up in so many pieces 'Clef
I will dismember you in a gruesome manner, Wyclef Jean.

That even if I sent your mom the instruction
It would be so complex that even with my providing a detailed instruction manual to your mother,

She couldn't put you back together
She would be unable to reassemble the pieces.

4-5 ways to be circumcised
There are multiple ways (some involving violence) that one can be mutilated.

Times stand still when the murders on the rise
Moments of extreme violence or aggression seem to stretch time out unnaturally.

Any last words
Do you have any final comments or statements?

Give my regard to Tony Soprano....
Please convey my greetings to Tony Soprano, a well-known fictional character who belongs to the mafia and resembles the lifestyle/personalities of the people in this song.

(Chorus X2)
The situation is an internal family matter.

Contributed by Nolan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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