One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
Though I just dropped by to let you know
That I'm leaving you tomorrow;
I'll cause you no more sorrow:
One cup of coffee, then I'll go.

I brought the money like the lawyer said to do,
But it won't replace the 'eartache I caused you;
It won't take the place of lovin' you, I know,
So one cup of coffee, then I'll go.
---
/Saxophone solo/
---
Tell the kids I came last night
And kissed them while they slept;
Make my coffee sweet and warm
Just the way you used to lie in my arms.

I brought the money like the lawyer said to do,
But it won't replace the 'eartache I caused you;
It won't take the place of lovin' you, I know,
So one cup of coffee, then I'll go;
One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
One cup of coffee, then I'll go.
/fadeout/

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Marley's One Cup of Coffee depict a heartbreaking scene of a man who knows he has hurt the woman he loves, and decides to leave her to spare her further pain. He confesses that he is leaving her the next day, but makes a stop to her house to say goodbye and have one last cup of coffee together. He acknowledges that he brought money, as suggested by his lawyer, but admits that it can never replace the love he had lost, and the "heartache" he caused to his partner. He even requests her to kiss their children, and make coffee as she used to when they were together.

Line by Line Meaning

One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
I will leave after having this cup of coffee as I only came to let you know that I am leaving tomorrow and I do not want to cause you any more sorrow.

I brought the money like the lawyer said to do,
As per the lawyer's advice, I brought the money, but I know that it cannot compensate for the pain and heartache that I have caused you nor can it replace the love that I know you deserve.

But it won't replace the 'eartache I caused you;
The money I brought cannot replace the suffering and pain that I have caused you.

It won't take the place of lovin' you, I know,
I understand that the money cannot replace the love that you deserve from me.

Tell the kids I came last night
Please inform our children that I came to visit them last night.

And kissed them while they slept;
I kissed them while they were asleep.

Make my coffee sweet and warm
Please make my coffee just the way you used to when we were together, sweet and warm.

Just the way you used to lie in my arms.
I miss holding you in my arms and reminiscing about the love we had.

One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
As a reminder, I will leave after finishing this one cup of coffee.

One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
I only need one cup of coffee to reminisce about the good times we had before leaving for good.

One cup of coffee, then I'll go.
This one cup of coffee represents the final goodbye and the end of our relationship.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@himangshusarma7649

6y↑25

LYRICS

One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
Though I just dropped by to let you know
That I'm leaving you tomorrow;
I'll cause you no more sorrow:
One cup of coffee, then I'll go.

I brought the money like the lawyer said to do,
But it won't replace the 'eartache I caused you;
It won't take the place of lovin' you, I know,
So one cup of coffee, then I'll go.
---
/Saxophone solo/
---
Tell the kids I came last night
And kissed them while they slept;
Make my coffee sweet and warm
Just the way you used to lie in my arms.

I brought the money like the lawyer said to do,
But it won't replace the 'eartache I caused you;
It won't take the place of lovin' you, I know,
So one cup of coffee, then I'll go;
One cup of coffee, then I'll go;
One cup of coffee, then I'll go.
/fadeout/

All comments from YouTube:

@magnanamus8659

2y↑11

This song was first recorded by Billy Brock, on my grandfathers record label, Toppa Records. It was later re-recorded by a bunch of Greats, including Earnest Tubbs, and Obviously the Great Bob Marley!