"The game of chess is like a sword fight. You must think first before you move. If you do not know the Wu-Tang sword style, I am afraid you will be defeated." PART I: THE GATES OF SHAOLIN [INTRO] Yeah. Shaolin shadowboxing. From the concrete of New York to the temples of the East. Staten Island to the chamber. Thirty-six ways to die. Choose one. Yo, inspect the dialect. [VERSE 1: THE LIQUID SWORD] Yo, I step into the chamber with the iron fist extended Shaolin technique that the masters recommended Dusty vinyl spinning while the sword styles clash Chop a track in half like a flying guillotine smash Crouching tiger hidden in the projects of New York Rhyme style fatal, watch the way the thoughts stalk Liquid swords slicing through the static of the street Iron body training built to never face defeat Five Deadly Venoms when I grip the microphone Unseen strike leave your empire overthrown Drunken monkey stance, balancing on broken glass Quick strike venomous, fading 'em fast Golden bell shield, nothing penetrates the armor Meditation deep, keeping cool through the drama Crane wing spread, now I fly across the beat Wu-Tang style, man, we rule the city street. [CHORUS: THE ANTHEM] This is the Shaolin strike, let the anthem bang! Blazing through the night with the Wu-Tang slang! Bring the ruckus to the stage, let the swords swing high! Kung fu masters under the New York sky! Protect your neck when the beat drops down! We wear the iron crown in the ghost-faced town! PART II: THE REGENCIES OF THE TEMPLES [INTERLUDE 1] (The beat drops out, leaving only a haunting traditional Chinese flute and the crackle of vinyl.) (Movie Sample): "You think you can rule the Northern Province? The Emperor’s regency is absolute. Our styles are flawless." (Movie Sample): "The throne is built on blood, but my iron cane will smash your dynasty!" (The drums kick back in, even heavier, accompanied by an aggressive, sharp horn sample.) [VERSE 2: THE NORTHERN PROVINCE] We claim the regency, ruling every dynasty Master of the mantis, striking with no honesty From the Park Hill courts to the Great Wall peak I inject the poison every time the drums speak The Abbot of the track, I control the sacred script Keep the liquid gold pouring till the chalice flipped Iron fingers clawing through the belly of the beast We feast in the West but our souls face East No mercy for the weak when the iron palms strike Walking through the slums with a rusted-out pike I summon the element, water, wind, and fire Elevating hip hop to a level much higher The supreme ultimate, Tai Chi flow Spit a thousand darts, watch the body count grow. [CHORUS: THE ANTHEM] This is the Shaolin strike, let the anthem bang! Blazing through the night with the Wu-Tang slang! Bring the ruckus to the stage, let the swords swing high! Kung fu masters under the New York sky! Protect your neck when the beat drops down! We wear the iron crown in the ghost-faced town! PART III: THE REGENCIES OF THE EMPIRE [INTERLUDE 2] (The music shifts into a eerie, low-frequency drone. The sound of marching boots echoes.) (Movie Sample): "The Regent has ordered the execution of the entire temple! None shall survive the style of the Golden Lizard!" (Movie Sample): "Then we fight until the swords break." (A chaotic vinyl scratch cuts through, and a faster, driving breakbeat takes over.) [VERSE 3: THE SOUTHERN SHADOWS] Behold the Regent of the microphone empire Spitting raw venom that sets the temple on fire Tear down the palace, rip the silk off the throne Leaving fake masters in the dirt, fully prone I use the pressure points, block the chi in your neck Staten Island warrior demanding your respect Eighty-eight keys on the piano of death I will shadowbox until my very last breath The imperial guard couldn't stand the technique We leave the track bloody, we leave the state weak Smuggling the manuscripts out through the mud Every single lyric is baptized in blood The ghost of the dynasty lives in the street The Wu-Tang regency will never see defeat. [CHORUS: THE ANTHEM] This is the Shaolin strike, let the anthem bang! Blazing through the night with the Wu-Tang slang! Bring the ruckus to the stage, let the swords swing high! Kung fu masters under the New York sky! Protect your neck when the beat drops down! We wear the iron crown in the ghost-faced town! PART IV: THE SUPREME CHAMBER [INTERLUDE 3] (The drums fade out completely. A somber, beautiful string section plays a melancholic melody.) (Movie Sample): "You have traveled far, young monk. You have defeated the regencies of the North, the South, and the Empire. But are you ready for the final chamber?" (Movie Sample): "I am ready." (The final beat drops—a massive, minimalist, trunk-rattling boom-bap rhythm with an ominous bass note.) [VERSE 4: THE LAST EMPEROR] The final showdown in the mist of the rain Thirty-six chambers of discipline and pain The regent is fallen, the crown is a myth Just a heavy metal blade that I'm threatening with Concrete and cobbles
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