the way
Zack Hemsey Lyrics

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Eyes wide shut but they know
Buried alive by the lies in their soul
Their stride of a blind man's stroll
Well for whom does the next bell toll
I'm too many years in the zone
Too many years to have built what I own
And many dumb fool try to take what I've grown
But these roots go deep and you can't blood a stone

So if you want to push, I'm a shove
If you want to spar we can do it no gloves
And if you're gonna run at me you better do it hard
'Cause I fear no fall, no brawl, no scars
I'm two pounds shy of a bomb
I'm one shade short of alarm
I'm too past wrath that I'm calm
Got two last laughs in my palms
I'm three degrees west of a hurricane
Four wheel drive with a ball 'n chain
My five foot seven is irrelevant
I'm six six six if you threaten my development
Now see a wise man learns from your mistakes
And lets the blunders of his brother serve to fill his plate
So best be on your way before the tidal wave breaks
'Cause you don't want to come to meet the Reaper that awaits

You don't want to say no more than a mime, you can't afford
And you don't want to let this turn into lines of mine and yours
And you don't want to press your luck, better back up and withdraw
'Cause trust me when I tell you you don't want that tooth 'n claw
And you don't want to see inside the mind of a savage kind
And you don't want that recognition of "Oh, there goes that guy"
But if you do decide that you are gonna play that hand and try
Just think before you act because your actions don't rewind

A man with a grudge and a case
A man with intent on his face
And if a man walks into place
Let it be known I won't hesitate
This a long time coming like a comet pass
Got 'em all fired up from the rocket blast
And if I fall on my sword turn my bones to ash
Let it clog up the sand in that hourglass
We in the title fight, blow for a blow
And you can reap the benefits of what I have to sow
'Cause I'm about that worth of which you don't appear to know
So you can take the scene while I take over the show

It's a long way down when your head is in the clouds
And all around the sirens play
Don't get in my way
Don't tell me I should bow
'Cause I'm no clown
And this is not a game
Don't get in my way

You don't want to say no more than a mime, you can't afford
And you don't want to let this turn into lines of mine and yours
And you don't want to press your luck, better back up and withdraw
'Cause trust me when I tell you you don't want that tooth 'n claw
And you don't want to see inside the mind of a savage kind
And you don't want that recognition of "Oh, there goes that guy"
But if you do decide that you are gonna play that hand and try
Just think before you act because your actions don't rewind

Poisoned by the snakes in the grass
Hoaxed by the rats out the maze
They should have never poked the lion as he pass
'Cause now it's two hawks in a cage
This a tale of a cautionary kind
This a story of that Icarus design
This a message from the hanged man's twine
This when mother nature rips apart the fault lines
And this the type of thing that make a grown man cry
When feeble of the spine crumble underneath the grind
When blessings of the meek lead to lessons of the blind
When Heaven shows its teeth and the planets are aligned
So amusing the feeling as they race off
Got 'em musing from the pressure as I chase off
Should have thought it through before he turned to face off
Now this fool sounding like he gone and turned his bass off
This an ace caught, cut the game short
You don't want to have an escalation of the maimed sort
And you don't want to feel the flame that burns pride
Now you know the reason why those sleeping dogs lie

Long way down when your head is in the clouds
And all around the sirens play
Don't get in my way
Don't tell me I should bow
'Cause I'm no clown
And this is not a game
Don't get in my way

You don't want to say no more than a mime, you can't afford
And you don't want to let this turn into lines of mine and yours
And you don't want to press your luck, better back up and withdraw
'Cause trust me when I tell you you don't want that tooth 'n claw
And you don't want to see inside the mind of a savage kind
And you don't want that recognition of "Oh, there goes that guy"
But if you do decide that you are gonna play that hand and try
Just think before you act because your actions don't rewind

They sicker than a wicked man's whip
Victims of they hype and of they sycophant's lip
And underneath the money and the power is the tip
Of something very dangerous and it's strengthening its grip
And I don't have to tell 'em that they turning pale with albinism
I am not their keepers but I keep my own morale
And isn't everything we do just a matter of decision
So if life is just a prison then I'm breaking out this minute

This an epidemic of the vultures in the playpen
Weasels with a smile and a guile that leaves 'em vacant
Businessman sticking up the layman out the gate and
Thieves wearing suits but they can never fool the vagrants
And con man bringing 'em treasures of fool's gold
CEO's grinning from swindling stocks cold
Politicians trading their morals for blindfolds
And cowards step aside as the criminal mind holds
Welcome to the jungle where deception is the code
Brother fighting brother as their avarice corrodes
See that evil, speak that evil, be that evil bold
You are not your own and love's a memory of old
One nation under fraud, the anthem you applaud
Well let this serve to warn, I won't enable or reward

And let the flies swarm, let the noble die strong
This is my scorn, new day, new dawn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Zack Hemsey's "The Way" are full of images of aggression, warning, and defiance. The song speaks to the singer's experience of being challenged by others, yet feeling confident in their skills and abilities. The first verse describes the singer as being too set in their ways to be easily intimidated by others who would try to take what they have built. The singer suggests that they are an explosive force, declaring that they are "two pounds shy of a bomb." The second verse warns against being too quick to act, suggesting that actions have consequences that can't be undone.

The third and final verse of the song takes a turn toward social commentary. Here, the singer calls out the corrupt and exploitative practices of businesspeople, politicians, and others who use their power to take advantage of others. The singer suggests that people should be wary of such people and instead stand up to them, even if it means challenging the status quo. Ultimately, "The Way" is a song about self-empowerment and the need to stand up for oneself, even when faced with significant challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Eyes wide shut but they know
Even though they may pretend to be ignorant, they are fully aware of the truth

Buried alive by the lies in their soul
Overwhelmed and trapped by the falsehoods they hold within themselves

Their stride of a blind man's stroll
Moving forward without clear direction or purpose, like someone who cannot see

Well for whom does the next bell toll
Who will be affected or impacted by the upcoming consequences or events

I'm too many years in the zone
I have spent a significant amount of time in this state or mindset

Too many years to have built what I own
I have worked hard for many years to achieve and accumulate what I possess

And many dumb fool try to take what I've grown
There are foolish individuals who attempt to steal or claim what I have worked hard to create and develop

But these roots go deep and you can't blood a stone
My foundations and connections are ingrained and unbreakable, you cannot harm me or weaken me

So if you want to push, I'm a shove
If you try to challenge or provoke me, I will respond with force

If you want to spar we can do it no gloves
If you are looking for a fight or conflict, I am ready and unafraid to engage without protection or restraint

And if you're gonna run at me you better do it hard
If you plan on attacking or confronting me, you should do so with full intensity and commitment

'Cause I fear no fall, no brawl, no scars
I am not afraid of failing, fighting, or the wounds that may come with it

I'm two pounds shy of a bomb
I am just a small step away from exploding or causing significant impact

I'm one shade short of alarm
I am just short of being in a state of alert or concern

I'm too past wrath that I'm calm
I have moved beyond anger to a state of tranquility

Got two last laughs in my palms
I have the ability to have the final laugh or victory in my hands

I'm three degrees west of a hurricane
I am close to being in the midst of a chaotic or destructive situation

Four wheel drive with a ball 'n chain
Having the ability to move forward despite being weighed down or restricted

My five foot seven is irrelevant
My physical size or stature does not matter or impact my abilities

I'm six six six if you threaten my development
I become a force to be reckoned with if you try to impede my progress or growth

Now see a wise man learns from your mistakes
A truly wise individual takes the lessons from your errors and uses them to their advantage

And lets the blunders of his brother serve to fill his plate
They use the mistakes made by others as an opportunity to benefit or gain

So best be on your way before the tidal wave breaks
It is in your best interest to leave or retreat before a major and destructive event occurs

'Cause you don't want to come to meet the Reaper that awaits
You do not want to face the consequences or punishments that are waiting for you

You don't want to say no more than a mime, you can't afford
It would be unwise for you to speak or reveal more than necessary and risk the consequences

And you don't want to let this turn into lines of mine and yours
It would be unwise to turn this situation into a conflict or disagreement between us

And you don't want to press your luck, better back up and withdraw
It would be wise for you to retreat and avoid pushing your luck

'Cause trust me when I tell you you don't want that tooth 'n claw
Believe me when I say that you do not want to experience the aggression or brutality I am capable of

And you don't want to see inside the mind of a savage kind
You do not want to witness or understand the thoughts and mindset of a brutal and merciless person

And you don't want that recognition of 'Oh, there goes that guy'
You do not want the reputation or awareness that comes with being associated with someone like me

But if you do decide that you are gonna play that hand and try
If you still choose to engage or challenge me

Just think before you act because your actions don't rewind
Consider the consequences of your actions before you proceed, as you cannot undo what has been done

A man with a grudge and a case
A man who holds resentment and a motive for retribution

A man with intent on his face
A man who is determined and focused on achieving his goals

And if a man walks into place
If someone enters the situation

Let it be known I won't hesitate
Make it clear that I will not pause or show any hesitation in taking action

This a long time coming like a comet pass
This has been building up for a significant amount of time, like the passing of a comet

Got 'em all fired up from the rocket blast
I have ignited their emotions or reactions with a powerful and explosive force

And if I fall on my sword turn my bones to ash
Even if I fail or face defeat, I will not surrender or give up until I am completely destroyed

Let it clog up the sand in that hourglass
Let my failure or demise slow down time and disrupt the natural flow of events

We in the title fight, blow for a blow
We are engaged in a high-stakes battle, trading punches or attacks

And you can reap the benefits of what I have to sow
You can enjoy or profit from the results of my efforts and investments

'Cause I'm about that worth of which you don't appear to know
I possess a value and significance that you underestimate or fail to recognize

So you can take the scene while I take over the show
You can have the spotlight or attention while I assert control and dominance

It's a long way down when your head is in the clouds
When you are disconnected from reality or have unrealistic expectations, the fall is much more significant

And all around the sirens play
Amidst the chaos and warning signs

Don't get in my way
Do not obstruct or hinder my path or progress

Don't tell me I should bow
Do not expect me to submit or yield

'Cause I'm no clown
I am not a fool or someone to be taken lightly

And this is not a game
This is not a trivial or lighthearted situation