Legendary track by Killah Priest, initially released as a CD bonus track on GZA’s sophomore classic album Liquid Swords.

The track was produced by 4th Disciple and samples “Our Love Has Died” by Ohio Players… Read More [Intro: Killah Priest]

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

[Chorus: Killah Priest]

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

[Verse 1: Killah Priest]

Knowledge this wisdom, this goes back when I was 12

I loved doing right, but I was trapped in Hell

Had mad ideas, sad eyes and tears

Years of fears, but, yo – my foes couldn't bear

I searched for the truth since my youth

And went to church since birth, but it wasn't worth the loot

That I was paying, plus the praying

I didn't like staying, 'cause of busy-bodies and dizzy hotties

That the preacher had souped up with lies

Had me cooped up, looking at loot, butt, and thighs

During the service, he swallowed up the poor

And after they heard this, they wallowed on the floor

But I ignored and explored my history that was untold

And watched mysteries unfold

And dropped a jewel like Solomon, but never followed men

'Cause if you do, your brain is more hollow than

Space oblivia or the abyss

With no trace of trivia, left with the hiss

Does it pay to be deaf, dumb, and blind?

From a slave, we was kept from the mind

And from the caves, he crept from behind

And what he gave was the sect of the swine

When the Bible, it condemns the pig

I don't mean to pull your hems or flip your wigs

But we used to wear a turban, but now we're in the urban

No more wearing beanies and dress like a genie

No hocus pocus 'cause I focus on the facts

And put it on the tracks, embroid it through the wax

I speak on Jacob, it might take up some time

And too much knowledge, it might break up the rhyme

I did it anyway, just to wake up the mind

Of those who kiss stones or prays on the carpet

Those who sit home or sell books by the market

Need to chill and get their mind revived

For years, religion did nothing but divide

[Chorus: Killah Priest]

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

[Verse 2: Killah Priest]

I strolled through the books of Job to unfold

And open bibles instead of hoping on revivals

Calling on His name and screaming hallelujah

When he hardly knew ya, that's how the Devil fooled ya

See, look into my eyes brethren, that's the lies of a Reverend

Why should you die to go to Heaven?

The Earth is already in space, the Bible I embrace

A difficult task I had to take

I studied 'til my eyes was swollen, and only arose when

I found out that we were the chosen

I deal with the truth and build with the youth

And teach my son as he kneels on the stoop

Son, life is a pool of sin, corrupted with foolish men

And women with wicked minds who build picket signs

To legalize abortion, the evil eye extortion

I quiz son with my wisdom

Before I converted, I was perverted, and knowledge was asserted

The study of wisdom, I preferred it

The understanding, it gave me mental freedom

I even learnt Caucasian were really the Tribe of Edom

The white image of Christ is really Cesare Borgia

And uh, the second son of Pope Alexander The VI of Rome

And once the picture was shown

That's how the devils tricked my dome

I prophesized to save a man, but no one gave a damn

For my nation, the seed of Abraham

Blessed with the tongue of Hebrew

Now we're strung on needles and some are plunging evils

So study and be wise in these days of darkness

Peace to my nephew Marcus

[Chorus: Killah Priest]

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test many, quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Life is a test, many quest the Universe

And through my research, I felt the joy and the hurt

The first shall be last and the last shall be first

The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth