No Woman No Cry
Jonathan Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ooo.
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trencht
obaserving the 'ypocrites
As they would mingling with the good people we meet.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way.
In this great future, you can't forget your past;
So dry your tears, I said
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry.
little darlin', don't shed no tears:
No, woman, no cry.
said I remember when-a we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown.
And then Georgie would make the fire lights,
As it was logwood burnin'
through the nights... through the nights.
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge,
Of which I'll share with you; with you.
My feet is my only carriage,
So I've got to push push. push on through.
TO *
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
no woman, no cry; oh yeah.
no woman, no cry;
No - no, woman - woman, no cry.
Woman, little darlin', don't shed no tears;
No, woman, no cry.
TO **
(Little darlin', don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.
Little sister, don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.)
Jonathan Butler's covering of "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley in 1994 conveys similar emotions about nostalgia, loss, and hope for the future. The opening line, "Oyeyeiye yeiye... ooo," is an expression of grief or sadness that will later be alleviated, so the message is not one of despair, but one of reinforcement. Butler reminisces over a past time when he and friends would sit in the government yard in Trenchtown, watching the hypocrites mingling with the good people they met, as Marley did in his original. The memories of good friends lost along the way are poignant, and the repetition of "No, woman, no cry" throughout the song expresses hope for the future and calming reassurance that we must be strong despite our struggles.
In the second verse, Butler continues reminiscing about life in Trenchtown, where Georgie would light fires as logwood burnt through the night. Together they would cook cornmeal porridge, of which Butler would share with you. The final line in this verse, "My feet is my only carriage, so I've got to push push. push on through," reminds us that our determination to succeed and survive in life is our only tool. It is a strong message of resilience that is consistent throughout the entire song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oyeyeiye yeiye...
ooo.
Expressing the singer's emotional state with sounds and not actual words.
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trencht
obaserving the 'ypocrites
As they would mingling with the good people we meet.
Recalling a time when the singer would sit in a public government yard and watch the hypocrites mingle with the good people.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way.
In this great future, you can't forget your past;
So dry your tears, I said
Reflecting on the good friends the singer has lost and reminding that one should not forget their past in a great future to come so that there is no need for tears.
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry.
little darlin', don't shed no tears:
No, woman, no cry.
Comforting the woman with the phrase 'No woman, no cry' and asking her not to cry as it will be alright.
said I remember when-a we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown.
And then Georgie would make the fire lights,
As it was logwood burnin'
through the nights... through the nights.
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge,
Of which I'll share with you; with you.
My feet is my only carriage,
So I've got to push push. push on through.
Re-enforcing the memory of sitting together, watching the fire lit through the night using logwood, cooking cornmeal porridge and sharing with others during a difficult situation building the attitude of working through the challenge.
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
no woman, no cry; oh yeah.
Repeating the phrase 'Everything's gonna be all right' several times and emphasizing that there is no need for a woman to cry.
no woman, no cry;
No - no, woman - woman, no cry.
Woman, little darlin', don't shed no tears;
No, woman, no cry.
Reiterating the fact that the woman needn't shed any tears and reminding that there is no need for her to cry.
(Little darlin', don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.
Little sister, don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.)
Further implying that there is no need for any woman to cry be it a little darlin' or a little sister.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@unknownsamoan01
Legend! I was a huge fan of his in the '90s. He looks a lot different now (don't we all...lol), but he sounds exactly the same! Nobody sings in tune with his guitar more than Jonathan B (I'll throw George Benson in that mix). May God continue to bless you brother, as you have done us with your God-given talents. ❤️🙏🏾
@marco_lol
Totally agree
@amaralmario8125
Open
@MR-um9hx
❤❤❤
@JackSmith-ou1dg
Do you know if he can play guitar right and left handed?
@mp015l2989
I have always been obsessed with Bob Marley's music but this is the most beautiful version of this song that I have ever heard! I am now obsessed with Jonathan Butler lol! You speak through guitar. I have never ever seen this before! Jonathan Butler you are absolutely amazing!
@jolantak4377
Gdy ktoś będzie chciał płakać,nie powstrzymasz łez💦
@conexaojamaica590
Chorei com essa interpretação de no woman no cry música de Vicent Ford e foi eternizada na voz do mestre Bob Marley. LINDO DEMAIS!
@rh861
This performance is Moving ........ Full of Heart and Soul!
@alcofunk1992
Лучшее исполнение легендарной песни!