Racial equality is a strong theme throughout much of DC Talk’s discography. Even though Nu Thang is full of samples from prestigious Black artists, “Walls” is the only song that focuses on this theme as its main topic. Although there are only two samples, one spoken and one sung, it is a strong intr...
[Intro: Martin Luther King Jr., TobyMac, Choir & Flavor Flav]
*claps*
"For we have come to see that segregation is not only sociologically untenable…"
Chicka chicka chickha
"…it is morally wrong and sinful."
*claps*
Walls
Walls
"I have a dream this afternoon…"
Walls
Yeah, boys, DC Talk
Walls
Comin' strong
Hit me!
[Verse 1: TobyMac, TobyMac & Choir]
Man against man just ain't the plan
It's time for God's people to take a stand
I mean brother to brother, black to white
Stand up to the problem and begin to fight
Not against each other, you're wastin' time
Yo, I'm referrin' to a battle of minds
Not through debate or writin' on the walls
This kinda action is delayin' the cause
An eye for an eye, fight fire with fire
It's our turn to take it one step higher
Gotta live by example, show brotherly love
We're together on Earth, we'll be together above
So we're…
[Chorus: Choir, TobyMac, Michael Tait & Kevin Max]
Tearin' down the walls (Come on!)
Of segregation
Unity abroad
New revelation
Tearin' down the walls (What walls?)
Of segregation
Unity abroad (Huh)
In every nation
[Verse 2: TobyMac & Kevin Max]
To label churches by color ain't nothin' but wrong
We're in the same crew, we're singin' one song
If you're in God's army, that makes you my kin
Yo, our common bond is the Father of men
Of all attributes that we should possess (Ooh whoa oh)
Love is in the word ahead of all the rest (Ooh whoa oh)
No negotiation to love a certain nation (Ooh whoa oh)
All means all, with no discrimination (Ooh whoa oh)
Boy, we can set a precedence the world can cop (Ooh whoa oh)
Yo, fellow believer, now's the time to stop (Ooh whoa oh)
Racism within our lines (Ooh whoa oh)
Today is the time for this love to shine (Ooh whoa oh)
So we're…
[Chorus: Choir, TobyMac, Michael Tait & Kevin Max]
Tearin' down the walls (Yeah!)
Of segregation
Unity abroad
New revelation
Tearin' down the walls (Hit it!)
Oh, of segregation
Unity abroad
In every nation
[Post-Chorus: TobyMac]
Talkin' 'bout a revelation
So play that gui-guitar
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3: TobyMac, TobyMac & Choir, Kevin Max, TobyMac, Kevin Max & Choir]
Judge a man by his heart, not color of skin
God views a man from what's held within
And you're called one o' His, so you gotta know
To be Christ-like is the way that you go
And my brothers and sisters in one accord
Yo, we're the sheep and the shepherd's the Lord
So whether black sheep, white sheep, or even swirl
God watches over all the sheep of the world
So tell me what's up when ya know the command (Ooh whoa oh)
The Word's bold, (Two-fold!) "Love your fellow man!"
And treat him like you would treat yourself (Ooh whoa oh)
Pull brotherly love off ya dusty shelf (Ooh whoa oh) (Huh!)
[Chorus: Choir, TobyMac, Michael Tait & Kevin Max]
Tearin' down the walls (What walls?)
Oh oh, of segregation
Unity abroad
New revelation
Tearin' down the walls
Yea-ee-ea-ee-eah
Unity abroad (Ooh-ooh ow)
We are tearin' down the walls
Walls of segregation, people
Unity abroad (Ah, yeah)
New revelation
Tearin' down the walls
These walls of segregation, people
Unity abroad (Hit it!)
In every single nation
[Outro: Choir, TobyMac, Kevin Max, Michael Tait]
Tearin' down the walls (Yeah, boys, DCT in effect)
Of segregation now (Comin' strong)
Unity abroad (In the 90s, we're talkin' about)
New revelation (Your brother, prayer by DC Talk)
Tearin' down the walls (You know what I'm sayin'? That's right, y'all)
Walls of segregation, boy (We're rippin' down walls of segregation)
Unity abroad (On a day-to-day basis)
In every nation (If you're down this movement, come on)
Walls was written by Michael Tait & TobyMac.
Walls was produced by TobyMac & Mark Heimermann & Tommy Cathey.
“Walls” was performed live on the Welcome to the Freakshow tour in 1997 and was included in its subsequent live album. As is common with DC Talk’s live albums, they combine different parts of different performances. In this version, a guitar solo segued from the performance of “Walls” into “Time Is…...