Santeria – English Lyrics

• By: Pusha T
• Album: DAYTONA

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the rhythmic flow and complex vocabulary of Pusha T's 'Santeria.' This song is a perfect vehicle for learners to master English slang, street vernacular, and the art of clever metaphorical wordplay used in hip-hop culture.

[English]

Now the tears dry and the pain takes over

Let's talk this payola (payola)

You killed God's baby when it wasn't his will

And blood spill, we can't talk this shit over (this shit over)

The Lord is my shepherd, I am not sheep

I am just a short stone's throw from the streets

I bring my offering, I will not preach

Awaken my demons, you can hear that man screaming

I'm no different than the priest, priest

Santeria

(Santeria, Santeria, Santeria)

They say that death comes in threes, how appropriate

Triple back, they rush in like Soviets

At the Kremlin

Searching for the green like a Gremlin, presidential emblem

Presidential tint on this shit that I'm driven in

Woo! I just place orders and drop dollars

Rotweillers roam the ground, the Glock hollers

The three of y'all are too accessible

Seen all the wrong moves, watching The Untouchables

We don't do vegetables, niggas get flatlined

Welcome all beef, then we heat 'em with flat irons

Your plans are backfiring, think of double-crossing a priest

Hail Mary, repeat after me

Santeria!

(Santeria, Santeria, Santeria)

Ya te vas a la mañana (mañana)

Ah ah, los ángeles esperarán

...

Es el fuego que yo, conozco

Es el fuego que yo

Ya te vas a la mañana (mañana)

Ah ah, los ángeles esperarán

Es el fuego que yo, conozco

Es el fuego que yo

Of all the things I've ever paid for

Know that it's no price tag when I wage war

It's no more to pray for, niggas get preyed on

Darken my doorstep, they told me the day's gone

You listening, De'von?

As I'm talking to your spirit for God's sakes

I'm dealing with heartbreak

Checking my ego, I'm livin' with lost faith

I'm back in this shit, nigga, you ever seen Shark Tank?

I paid 'em in small bills, all of 'em small face

I bet when we draw blood, you niggas will draw blank

Dress you in all black, partnered with All Saints

Our numbers is all facts, my shooters give all thanks

And all praise, no jail bars can save

Leave you like Malcolm where X marks your grave

Hey, it's probably better this way

It's cheaper when the chaplain prays

Santeria!

Ya te vas a la mañana (mañana)

Ah ah, los ángeles esperarán

Es el fuego que yo, conozco

Es el fuego que yo

...

Key Grammar Structures

• You killed God's baby when it wasn't his will

  ➔ Subordinate clause of time with 'when'

  ➔ The structure 'when it wasn't his will' defines the specific moment the action occurred.

• The Lord is my shepherd, I am not sheep

  ➔ Declarative sentences with 'to be' as a linking verb

  ➔ Using 'is' and 'am' to state a direct identity or status.

• They say that death comes in threes

  ➔ Indirect speech / Reporting verb structure

  ➔ The phrase 'They say that' introduces a general belief or hearsay.

• Presidential tint on this shit that I'm driven in

  ➔ Relative clause with 'that'

  ➔ The 'that' modifies 'this shit', describing the car he is driving.

• Of all the things I've ever paid for

  ➔ Present Perfect tense with 'ever'

  ➔ 'I've ever paid for' emphasizes experience throughout his life.

• It's no more to pray for, niggas get preyed on

  ➔ Passive voice construction

  ➔ 'get preyed on' is a colloquial passive structure showing that subjects are targets.

• As I'm talking to your spirit for God's sakes

  ➔ Subordinate clause of time with 'as'

  ➔ 'As' indicates that the action of talking is happening simultaneously.

• Leave you like Malcolm where X marks your grave

  ➔ Relative adverb 'where' introducing a clause of place

  ➔ 'where' specifies the location or circumstance of the grave.