I can’t stand it, I know you planned it[1]The Beastie Boys were never shy about their Jewish roots (they had a track about “Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego” on 1989’s Paul’s Boutique), and so it may be worth examining how they on … Continue reading
I’m gonna set it straight[2]“But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” -Jeremiah 20:9, this Watergate[3]Obvious allusion to President Nixon’s Watergate scandal—a famous act of sabotage that backfired horribly—though given what a well-documented anti-Semite Nixon was, one can imagine how the … Continue reading
I can’t stand rocking when I’m in here
‘Cause your crystal ball ain’t so crystal clear[4]Ad-Rock here decries the false prophets who mislead the people, like Jeremiah of old: “Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the [false] prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent … Continue reading
So while you sit back and wonder why
I got this thorn in my side[5]Like Paul, that famed Jewish convert of old: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan … Continue reading
Oh my God, it’s a mirage[6]All of our labor is a mirage, per Isaiah: “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” -Isaiah 49:4; 1 … Continue reading
I’m tellin’ y’all, it’s a sabotage
So, so, so, so listen up ’cause you can’t say nothin'[7]“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?” -Isaiah 2:22; 2 Nephi 12:22
You’ll shut me down with a push of your button?[8]“Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the … Continue reading
But you[9]“The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto … Continue reading, I’m out and I’m gone
I’ll tell you now, I keep it on and on
‘Cause what you see you might not get[10]“Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” -Isaiah 7:7; 2 Nephi 17:7
And we can bet, so don’t you get souped yet
You’re scheming on a thing that’s a mirage[11]“Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine … Continue reading
I’m trying to tell you now, it’s sabotage[12]“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be … Continue reading
Why
Our backs are now against the wall?
Listen all y’all, it’s a sabotage
Listen all y’all, it’s a sabotage
Listen all y’all, it’s a sabotage
Listen all y’all, it’s a sabotage[13]“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” -Ephesians … Continue reading
I can’t stand it, I know you planned it[14]“I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the … Continue reading
I’m gonna set it straight, this Watergate
Lord, I can’t stand rockin’ when I’m in this place[15]“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea”. -Isaiah 48:18; 1 Nephi 20:18
Because I feel disgrace[16]“Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.” -Isaiah 6:5; 2 … Continue reading because you’re all in my face
But make no mistakes and switch up my channel
I’m Buddy Rich[17]Famous and influential Big-Band-era drummer and band leader; also Jewish and from Brooklyn—and famously short-tempered, prone to “fly off the handle”, like Jeremiah of old. when I fly off the handle[18]“Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” -Isaiah 13:13; 2 Nephi 23:13
What could it be? It’s a mirage[19]“Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” -Isaiah 5:20; 2 Nephi 15:20
You’re scheming on a thing, that’s sabotage[20]“What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.” -Isaiah 14:32; 2 Nephi 24:32
References
| ↑1 | The Beastie Boys were never shy about their Jewish roots (they had a track about “Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego” on 1989’s Paul’s Boutique), and so it may be worth examining how they on occasion carried on the Jewish prophetic tradition of Jeremiads against power. Given how Lehi, a contemporary of Jeremiah, was driven from Jerusalem for the same, we are long overdue to explore how 1992’s “Sabotage” might resonate with us, as well. Besides, are we not to liken all scriptures unto us? |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” -Jeremiah 20:9 |
| ↑3 | Obvious allusion to President Nixon’s Watergate scandal—a famous act of sabotage that backfired horribly—though given what a well-documented anti-Semite Nixon was, one can imagine how the Beastie Boys might’ve taken this notorious abuse of power personally. |
| ↑4 | Ad-Rock here decries the false prophets who mislead the people, like Jeremiah of old: “Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the [false] prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.” -Jeremiah 28:15 |
| ↑5 | Like Paul, that famed Jewish convert of old: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” -2 Corinthians 12:7 |
| ↑6 | All of our labor is a mirage, per Isaiah: “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” -Isaiah 49:4; 1 Nephi 21:4 |
| ↑7 | “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?” -Isaiah 2:22; 2 Nephi 12:22 |
| ↑8 | “Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!” -Isaiah 10:15; 2 Nephi 20:15 |
| ↑9 | “The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!” -Isaiah 3:9; 2 Nephi 13:9 |
| ↑10 | “Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” -Isaiah 7:7; 2 Nephi 17:7 |
| ↑11 | “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” -Isaiah 50:11 |
| ↑12 | “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us.” -Isaiah 8:9-10; 2 Nephi 18:9-10 |
| ↑13 | “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” -Ephesians 6:12 |
| ↑14 | “I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.” -Isaiah 10:6; 2 Nephi 20:6 |
| ↑15 | “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea”. -Isaiah 48:18; 1 Nephi 20:18 |
| ↑16 | “Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.” -Isaiah 6:5; 2 Nephi 16:5 |
| ↑17 | Famous and influential Big-Band-era drummer and band leader; also Jewish and from Brooklyn—and famously short-tempered, prone to “fly off the handle”, like Jeremiah of old. |
| ↑18 | “Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” -Isaiah 13:13; 2 Nephi 23:13 |
| ↑19 | “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” -Isaiah 5:20; 2 Nephi 15:20 |
| ↑20 | “What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.” -Isaiah 14:32; 2 Nephi 24:32 |