Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Killa

I hope it doesn't shock any of you that I'm, uh, not a fan of the rap music.

You can attribute it to my age, my incredible likeness of being white, or simply a tragic case of the un-hip.  It's just not my thing.

Nonetheless, the praise band at my church performed this song at last weekend's service - the message was spot on:



And a transcription of the lyrics:

Uh, I know it’s going to kill me but I just can’t let it go
And the taste so appealing got a grip upon my soul
These honey dip lies mesmerize me
Pride’s got its crooked fingers twisted all inside me
Fools walk the path I’m on, never to be seen again
Sipping on seduction while we eating on some secret sin
(Not a lot of love and mercy) says the whisper in my ear
And I know I should be over this, but I ain’t seeing clear
And I aint leaving here, unless somebody save me

Walking to my grave letting evilness enslave me

Evil looks so lovely covered in her lace of lies
And the silky smooth seduction just manipulates my mind
Her fabrical fabrication is fueling my fascination

While I’m intoxicated she starts her assassination
I’m losing all my honor and my years to the merciless
Giving all my life away but I’m just so immersed in this (Killa)

Hook:

Baby this is innocent (Killa) it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)
I’m only here for your benefit (killa) I’m your every wish (Killa)

Come on and let me in (Killa)
baby this is innocent (Killa)

And it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)

Close your eyes and let’s get lost tonight (Killa)
Would it be alright? You’ll see (Killa)
Verse:

Her feet go down to DEATH, so don’t let her consume you
Even though her heart is black, her exterior’s beautiful
She’ll take your life away, strip away your joy
Pretends that she gon build you up but she’s just gon destroy you
My friends fell low, when they was so high
Got me running scared of myself, no lie
And I know I’m gon die, I tried cold turkey
But when I’m feeling worthy, Satan’s sure trying to merk me
I’m doing myself dirty, flirting with whats perverted
I should follow the word but I guess I’d rather be murdered
Excuse me I mean martyred ‘cause I’m killing myself
My sin conceived a baby, and we gon name her death, breath
(Gasps) - Taker, she take my breath away
Replaces it with poison and I’m so swept away
I need some bread today hope I wake up

Before they start my wake up somebody make me break up

I’m dating a (Killa)
Baby this is innocent (Killa) it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)
I’m only here for your benefit (killa) I’m your every wish (Killa)
Come on and let me in (Killa)
Baby this is innocent (Killa)
And it won’t even hurt a little bit (Killa)
Close your eyes and let’s get lost tonight (Killa)
Would it be alright? You’ll see (Killa)
 
As the song says, Sin is a Killa, insidious and seductive, leading us to spiritual and even physical death.  And while rap may not be my idiom of choice - I was totally enthralled by this song because of its powerful message.
 
A few years ago, Don Henley expressed a similar message in secular packaging, in Miss Ghost, a tale about running into an old lover, or perhaps metaphorically, an old habit, and realizing he's overcome the seduction.  I couldn't find a video, but here is a transcription of the lyrics.  The song's on the CD, Inside Job.

On a misbegotten, moonless night
I stumbled in my door
Disgusted with my circumstance
Soaked to every pore
When floating from my bedroom
Came a moaning and a sigh
“Oh, I've had one too many
It's just the wind,” says I

I lit up a cigarette
And I poured a good, stiff drink
You see, I needed to compose myself
I needed time to think
No sooner had I settled down
The moaning came again
Drifting through the silence
Like some otherworldly violin

I bounded up the staircase
I went slippin' and slidin' down the hall
You know, I've been around the whole, wide world
But I was not prepared at all
Uninvited visitor, unsuspecting host
“Well, I see you've made yourself at home.
Good evening, Miss Ghost.”

You're more beautiful than ever
I feel just like a kid
And I commence to trembling
When I think of all the things we did
Skin as pale as marble; lips as red as blood
Imagine my surprise, my dear
I thought that you were gone for good

You look so lovely lying there
All stretched out on your back
But I'm the one who's strung up here
On old temptation's rusty rack
And in the wee small hours
Is when I miss you the most
And I confess it, I have missed you
Ah, Miss Ghost

I threw open the window
And I howled at the rain
And I cursed the weakness of the flesh
This breath and bone—and this brute, reptilian brain

What dirty tricks the mind can play
In the lonely dead of night
When you bump into the shadow
Of a faded love that wasn't right

Way down beneath the surface
Far beyond the light of day
So many things lie buried deep
And baby, they should stay that way

Oh, my wicked, little habit
We've really made a mess
And everything's been trivialized
In our vain pursuit of happiness

And even though you've come for me
I won't go back with you
To some temporary heaven
Down some empty, dead-end avenue
But it's been so good to have you here
And I propose a toast
“Here's to seeing through you—
Miss Ghost.”

2 comments:

Answers? I don't know the questions. said...

That was great. It reminds me of the time when my wife who cuts hair, had a young man sit down in her chair for a haircut. He had long hair and a heavy metal tee shirt on. He started questioning her about what type of music that she liked. She said country and Christian. When she mentioned Christian, he said that he had just became a Christian two days before. Just judging by his appearance would have led one to the wrong conclusion. A good lesson for me that my own personal preferences doesn't limit God.

Anonymous said...

See a little hip hop goes a long way... all the way across the pond.

Dew