A roaring lion, walketh about, seekin' whom he may devour
(Ronny J, please turn me up)
Take some, rain, nonstop, rain don't want war
Rain come, rain come
Come shine, come rain, come up
Southside, let it bang
Outside, let it rain
Rain down on a pain
Rain down on the slain
Rain down for my mom (Ooh)
Rain down on the farm (Ah)
Shower us with your love (Huh)
Wash us in the blood (Ooh)
Drop this for the thugs (Ah)
Know I grew up in the mud (Huh)
The top is not enough
Wash us in the blood (Ah)
Is there anybody here? Huh
Is there anybody here? Ooh
That can save no matter how much he player-hate? Hahaha
It was the blood that, ooh
It was the blood that, God
It was the blood that cleansed me, ha
It was the, ooh
Shower down on us (Ah)
Wash us in the blood (Huh)
Wash us in the blood (Ooh)
Whole life bein' thugs (Hah)
No choice, sellin' drugs (Huh)
Southside, what it does? (God)
Rain down on us (Ah)
Genocide what it does (Huh)
Slavery what it does (Ooh)
Rain down on us (Ah)
Whole life sellin' drugs (Huh)
Wash us in the blood (Ooh)
Wash us in Your blood (Ah)
Wash us in the blood (And as we live in this evil and crooked and jezebelic world)
Wash us in the blood
Wash us in the blood
Holy Spirit, come down (Come take)
Holy Spirit, come down (Come down)
Holy Spirit, help now (Way down)
Holy Spirit, help now (Uh, uh)
Holy Spirit, come down (Spirit)
Holy Spirit, come down (Ayy)
Holy Spirit, help now (Come down)
Holy Spirit, help now (Yeah)
Wash us in the blood (Blood)
Whole life bein' thugs (Hah)
No choice, sellin' drugs (Ooh)
Genocide what it does (Ah)
Mass incarc' what it does (Huh)
Cost a cause what it does (Ooh)
'Nother life bein' lost (Woah)
Let it off, set it off
Execution, thirty states (That's right)
Thirty states still execute (Ah)
Thou shall not kill, I shall not spill, Nextels at the rendezvous (Ooh)
We dodgin' time in the federal (Get 'em)
Squad box you in like a sectional
We walk through the glass and the residue (Ooh)
Now look what we headed to (Ah)
Rain down on us (Huh)
Rain down on us (Ooh)
Wash us in the blood (Hah)
Wash us in the blood (Huh)
Holy Spirit, come down (Ooh)
Holy Spirit, come down (Hah)
And they tryna control Ye (Huh)
They want me to calm down (Ooh)
They don't want me to Kanye
They don't want Kanye to be Kanye
They wanna sign a fake Kanye
They tryna sign a calm Ye
That's right, I call 'em Calm-Ye
But don't take me the wrong way (God)
But don't take me the wrong way (Hah)
'Cause God took me a long way (Huh)
They wanna edit the interviews (We)
They wanna take it to interludes (Me)
Cut a whole sentence to interlude (Together)
You know that it's fake if it's in the news (Ooh)
So I let it fly when I'm in the booth (Ah)
The devil a liar and I been the truth
Livin' 'cause nobody livin'
And nobody gettin' it, doin' it different (Ah)
Rain down on us (Huh)
Holy Spirit, come down (Ooh)
Holy Spirit, come down (Ah)
We need You now
Wash us in the blood (Ooh)
Whole life bein' thugs (Ah)
No choice, sellin' drugs (God)
Genocide what it does
Slavery what it does
Wash Us In The Blood
Wash Us In The Blood Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on June 30, 2020, "Wash Us In The Blood" by Kanye West is a potent and sonically challenging track featuring Travis Scott, although Scott's vocal contributions are minimal on the final release. The song emerged during a period of intense social and political unrest, with its video dropping just ahead of the Fourth of July, adding another layer of commentary on the state of America. The accompanying music video, directed by Arthur Jafa, employs a striking and at times jarring montage of animated figures, protests, performance art, archival footage, and glimpses of West and his family, creating a visual tapestry that reflects the turbulent themes within the lyrics. The digital and often raw aesthetic of the video amplifies the song's urgent message, serving as a visual sermon and social commentary rolled into one.
The lyrical content of "Wash Us In The Blood" is a raw, multifaceted plea for divine intervention and societal cleansing. At its core is a powerful religious invocation, repeatedly crying out to be washed in the blood. This central metaphor draws directly from Christian theology, symbolizing purification, redemption, and atonement through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a call for spiritual cleansing from the sin and darkness that plague both individuals and the world. The lyrics intertwine this spiritual yearning with stark observations of earthly suffering and systemic issues, referencing themes of "genocide," "slavery," "mass incarceration," and the difficult realities faced by those living in poverty and engaging in illicit activities out of desperation ("Whole life bein' thugs," "No choice, sellin' drugs"). The refrain "Rain down on us" acts as a prayer for divine grace and deliverance to pour down upon these struggles.
Beyond the broader social critique, the song also delves into more personal territory, addressing Kanye West's own public perception and struggles. Lines like "And they tryna control Ye / They want me to calm down" and "They don't want Kanye to be Kanye" speak to the pressure and scrutiny faced by the artist, particularly concerning his often controversial public persona and statements. The mention of wanting a "fake Kanye" or a "calm Ye" highlights the conflict between external expectations and his own perceived authenticity and spiritual journey. This personal dimension is ultimately tied back to the divine, with the acknowledgement "God took me a long way," suggesting that his path and struggles are part of a larger spiritual plan or transformation facilitated by faith.
The repeated invocation of the "Holy Spirit" further emphasizes the song's reliance on Christian faith for guidance and empowerment in the face of adversity. The call for the Holy Spirit to "come down" and "help now" signifies a need for divine presence and strength to navigate a world described as "evil and crooked and jezebelic." The juxtaposition of deeply spiritual language with harsh realities like police brutality ("Squad box you in like a sectional"), the death penalty ("Execution, thirty states"), and the manipulation by media ("They wanna edit the interviews") creates a powerful tension. The song presents faith not as an escape from these issues, but as the essential source of cleansing, strength, and truth required to confront them. Through its unvarnished portrayal of societal brokenness and its fervent spiritual appeals, "Wash Us In The Blood" functions as both a lamentation and a prayer for radical transformation, seeking divine purification for a world in desperate need.
