Battering down sentence, Fighting Against Convictions (2X)
I find myself growing in an environment
Where finding food is just as hard as paying the rent
In trodding these roads of trials and tribulations
I've seen where some have died in desperation
To keep battering down sentence, fighting against convictions (2X)

In a family of ten and raised in the ghetto
Hustling is the only education I know
Can't grow no crops in this concrete jungle
A situation like this is getting too hard to handle
To keep battering down sentence, fighting against convictions (2X)

With a pregnant woman, yes
and five kids to care for
Can't cool my heels, I've got to do the town
As skillful as I am, the jailer-man is bound to find me
I pray the day will come when I shall be free from
Battering down sentence, fighting against convictions (2X)

To be trapped and caught and taken before judge and angry jury
Pleading before men, who seem to have no mercy
Can't afford to find myself down in the dungeons
I've got to stay free so that my kids won't be
Battering down sentence, fighting against convictions (2X)

Now a fugitive at large
Could this be my destiny
With no one to care for the welfare of my family
But in solitude I've found new faith and hope in this I'll be secure
For mind and soul would soon be weary
Just couldn't take no more
Battering down sentence, fighting against convictions

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bunny Wailer's song Fighting Against Conviction reflect the struggles and hardships faced by many people living in poverty-stricken environments. The opening lines "Battering down sentence, Fighting Against Convictions" set the tone for the song, highlighting the struggle against societal systems of oppression and injustice. The singer finds himself in an environment where finding food is as challenging as paying rent. He has witnessed the despair and desperation of others who have died struggling to survive in these conditions. The repeated line highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unjust systems and the power of fighting against convictions.

The second verse offers a glimpse into the singer's life, growing up in a family of ten in the ghetto. He is forced to hustle to survive, as traditional methods of livelihood such as agriculture are impossible in the concrete jungle. The verse highlights the dehumanizing conditions of poverty and the struggle to maintain dignity in the face of systemic discrimination.

The third verse examines the fear of being taken into custody and how the judicial system fails to show mercy to people in poverty. The singer is determined to stay free to take care of his family and to not find himself caught up in the dungeons of the judicial system. The final verse reflects on the hopelessness of being a fugitive and the isolation it brings, but the singer finds solace in newfound faith and a sense of security in his mind and soul.

Overall, Fighting Against Conviction is a powerful commentary on the injustices faced by those living in poverty and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Battering down sentence, Fighting Against Convictions (2X)
I will keep fighting to prove my innocence and not let the convictions of others keep me down.

I find myself growing in an environment Where finding food is just as hard as paying the rent
I come from a disadvantaged background where survival is a daily challenge.

In trodding these roads of trials and tribulations I've seen where some have died in desperation
I have witnessed how hard life is and how it can lead to despair and even death.

In a family of ten and raised in the ghetto Hustling is the only education I know
Growing up in a large family in the ghetto means I had to hustle to survive and didn't have access to a formal education.

Can't grow no crops in this concrete jungle A situation like this is getting too hard to handle
Living in a city, it's difficult to grow crops and the challenges of life are becoming overwhelming.

With a pregnant woman, yes and five kids to care for Can't cool my heels, I've got to do the town
Having a pregnant partner and five children to provide for means I can't sit idle and must work harder to sustain my family.

As skillful as I am, the jailer-man is bound to find me I pray the day will come when I shall be free from
Despite my skills, I am vulnerable to being caught by the authorities and I hope for the day when I will be exonerated.

Pleading before men, who seem to have no mercy Can't afford to find myself down in the dungeons
I am at the mercy of a justice system that doesn't always take into account my situation and can't risk being locked up.

Now a fugitive at large Could this be my destiny With no one to care for the welfare of my family
I am on the run and wonder if this is my fate, with the added burden of not having anyone to look out for my family.

But in solitude I've found new faith and hope in this I'll be secure For mind and soul would soon be weary Just couldn't take no more
Despite my circumstances, I've found some solace and inner strength that will help me endure the mental and emotional struggles.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BUNNY O'RILEY, N. LIVINGSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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