Decatur Psalm – English Lyrics

• By: Outkast

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical landscape of "Decatur Psalm" by OutKast, a track that offers a vivid snapshot of Southern American English and street vernacular. Through its rich storytelling and distinct flows, you can explore expressions related to urban life, personal struggles, and regional identity. This song stands out for its authentic voice and its ability to weave complex narratives over a laid-back, yet profound, beat, making it an excellent piece to understand the cultural nuances embedded in OutKast's groundbreaking sound.

[English]

I call the crib they say "Breeze, you ain't know?"

I say "What?"

"Big Time got popped in his Benzo!"

I said "Damn man, I'm riding in his Lexus"

I'm 'bout to dump this nigga's shit in New Dimensions

Get to the crib so I can call Big Slate up

And tell 'em the money man done slipped and got his throat cut

And everything that we took from the warehouse

I heard somebody talkin' 'bout it at the White House

Man, I thought you said that this job was for me and you

I ain't know that Bill Clampett wanted some too

You tell his folks that I'm sorry 'bout that Lexus

I'm 'bout to dip and see my sister up in, nah

Can't even tell you where I put my extra player card

'Cause them Red Dog police know we homeboys

Just tell everybody who owe us a dime

It's the great, hoe 'round up yo' money time

I got to have mine, then I'm outta here

Take a loss, come back up just like Coco Grier

Ain't got to worry 'bout yo' partner gettin' caught like a lame

It won't be over 'til that big girl from Decatur sing

It won't be over 'til that big girl from Decatur sing

East Point police don't know a damn thing

(Yeah, it won't be over, check this out)

Can you see what I be hearin' talkin' to spirits when I sleep?

Peep this out real quick, Slick, we gets on this beat and speak

About that pimp shit, that walk with that limp shit, that hemp shit

Lookin' up in your face, I see a coward and a dimwit

Lookin' to run up in my private home just like you was the folks

Servin' a warrant to a baby daddy who didn't come to court

On a Tuesday, April Fool's Day, don't get caught slippin'

Leavin' the keys off in the ignition, makin' me guilty by suspicion

Penny pinchers trying to stack for '96

Buyin' another Fleetwood, Diamond took it, so know we's in the mix

I need to take my ass to the crib and drop the baby off

'Cause them niggas at the corner sto' been lookin' at me for too long

Starin' like accidents on highways

High days are better than sober ones

Don't be biased, but I know it has to come (uh)

So I put two in the sky to let them know I'm babysittin'

Y'all don't know nothin' 'bout Big Boi,

'Cause that nigga steady dippin'

It ain't over (why that? Why that?) 'Til the bitch open her mouth up

And sing (yeah)

...

Took me a long time to get here

Long time, man

I'm talking about, years, and years

Ridin' past funeral fields holdin' bodies of my peers

If you don't educate yo'self

Now how the fuck you gonna understand how you 'posed to get paid?

Niggas walk around get with shade tree ass ways

Fuck a fade, let my hair drag

Back and forth like a see-saw

Jumping Lily, to lilypad dag

Lookin' to get my Goodie feel

I'm broke in like some old men

Who'd stop dem or would stop

I'm droppin' lines for the big plot

16 is when I started this dream

It's '96, I'm in yo' face

Can you hear that bitch scream?

It won't be over til that big girl from Decatur sing

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
dump /dʌmp/ A2	verb - to dispose of something quickly or carelessly
slip /slɪp/ A2	verb - to slide unintentionally
cut /kʌt/ A1	verb - to divide with a sharp tool
warehouse /ˈwɛrˌhaʊs/ B1	noun - a large building for storing goods
lame /leɪm/ B1	adjective - unfashionable or uncool
spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ A2	noun - the non-physical part of a person
warrant /ˈwɔrənt/ B2	noun - a legal document authorizing an action
suspicion /səˈspɪʃən/ B1	noun - a feeling that something is true without proof
stack /stæk/ A2	verb - to arrange in a pile
stare /stɛər/ A2	verb - to look fixedly or vacantly
highway /ˈhaɪweɪ/ A2	noun - a main road, especially between towns
bias /ˈbaɪəs/ B2	noun - prejudice in favor of or against one thing
babysit /ˈbeɪbiˌsɪt/ B1	verb - to take care of a child while parents are away
peer /pɪr/ B1	noun - a person of the same age or status
educate /ˈɛdʒʊˌkeɪt/ B1	verb - to give intellectual, moral, and social instruction
shade /ʃeɪd/ A2	noun - partial darkness caused by blocking light
drag /dræɡ/ A2	verb - to pull or move with force
plot /plɒt/ B1	noun - a secret plan to achieve something