Beneath the Surface

[GZA]

On a man-made lake, there's a sheet of thin ice

Where unskilled skaters, couldn't figure-8 twice

At 16, uncut, direct from the cult

Head on assault, the result, death by the bolt

In a vote, it spoke aboat the average loss commission

That was seen by a king in a prophetic vision

Like a plane crash from a bomb blast

Special broadcast, slot time with con cash

It kept the jury quiet, and now a riot will form

While satanic man, now hang in his dorm

I swing, on you fake, radio personalities

Boost ya ratings, but hypes behind casualties

Fire shots, for low-pressure water gun play

Instantly, slap ya fire like it's Palm Sunday

I fashion the first tool, from the elements

The earth use, and built it to a complex

Network, of communications, you're up against a hopeless, situation

I screen every vehicle, through enemy observation

Swarmin unpredictably, we spread terror

Increase the force significantly, change the error

Check my wind pattern, it's headin west

Success is freedom, failure could mean death

Humans sweat, aim shovels

Dig up the debris and rubbel

Permanent, damage caused by the double-

U, Now who, cowardly urge you to merge through

And think the workers'll serve you

Signin marvel, who just dropped the next novel

Worldwide, practically marred in marble

His accountless, amount of MC's I saved

And those same niggas wanna squander those gifts I gave

[Chorus: RES sample]

Scratch underneath the surface, where does your purpose lie?

It seems our world is worthless, like we're pawns beneath the sky

Change the race by reason, and ashes just the wind

The left is so our we're breathin, keep ourself from givin in

[Killah Priest of Sunz Of Man]

Love and hatred, home is most sacred

Both species, they lay naked in the tombs of oasis

Think back on niggas I ate with, spent the day with

Guns we played with, niggas I relate with

We broke bread, I heard through a vine niggas workin for the Feds

Sent out secretly to take my head

I lay back and meditate to the words they say

Skip town for a mutten goofy dred

Had a friend tell my family I was dead

Return at the last fall of the autumn leaves

Operate the plan accordingly, in case the Feds are recordin me

Sign all documents, usin forgery, cuz just a near thought of me

Like Solomon, spoke bluntly

Told the word I'm black and calmly

Howls from the grave haunt me

The smell of death's upon me, I dwell in the hills like Gandhi

Been in the presence of mad peasants, and old kings

Who sold everything, on a quest for god's divine

Slept in caves to get a clear mind

Who prayed 3 times, when the moon lit and the sun rise

I met dwellers in the desert, talked to shepherds

Been in the mouth of many leopards

Felt the death kiss, of Satan's mistress

Walked the vacant districts, for 4 religions, studied Pagan scriptures

True philosophers and physicians, on a cure missions

Who harden their hearts, to ward the weak, sick and ifflicted

Candles lit, gamble with a bitch

Who made me love her, when I touch her, soft cause hide claws

Bees with sweet honey in they mouth

Have bitter stingers at they tail

Walk through the chambers of death, take a hold on to hell

Embracing her was like embracing a 3rd world

[Chorus]

[Outro: RES sample]

Scratch underneath the surface