Universal Tribulation
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
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Pains that I feel, whoa lord
Grieve to be real
I said the pains that I feel, whoa lord
Grieve to be real
But I know it's a
Universal
Universal tribulation
I feel it and I know it
It is a universal
Universal tribulation (oh lord)
I couldn't take any more
Of your baton blows, na no
I said your baton blows, yea
Its got me moving slow (moving slow, slow)
Universal
Universal tribulation
I feel it and I know it
It is a universal
Universal tribulation (oh lord)
We not give up (not give up, no)
Ya hear (or right here?) We not give up (not give up, no)
We not give up
While the children are crying
Their mum is undying yea
And while the grass is is a growin, lord knows
All the horses is a starving, yea
But na ne know, a dis a universal
Universal tribulation
I feel it as I tracked away
Universal, universal tribulation
I don't care what they wanna say
Universal, universal tribulation
You and I, you an I, you an I
The lyrics of Gregory Issacs’ “Universal Tribulation” speak to the emotion and pain one feels during difficult times. Issacs’ use of “pains that I feel” and “grieve to be real” express the raw emotion that arises from a suffering that is felt simultaneously by all individuals. The use of repetition in “it is a universal, universal tribulation” emphasizes this shared experience of suffering. Despite this commonality, Issacs sings about the personal impact of the tribulation, describing the physical pain he suffers with “baton blows” that “got me moving slow”.
Issacs’ mention of others’ suffering, referring to “the children crying” and “the horses starving” suggest that the tribulation is not only felt by individuals but also experienced in broader contexts. This is emphasized when he sings “I feel it and I know it” suggesting that there is no need for explanation or external validation of the tribulation, the shared experience of those who live it is enough.
The repetition of “We not give up” at the end of each verse suggests that despite the hardship, the individual, and perhaps the collective, will not lose hope. This song can be interpreted as a message of hope in times of hardship, and a reminder that even in shared pain, personal experiences are valid and emotional expression is necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Me nah give up
I won't surrender
Pains that I feel, whoa lord
The suffering that I experience, oh Lord
Grieve to be real
It's distressing but true
I said the pains that I feel, whoa lord
I repeat that the suffering I experience, oh Lord,
Grieve to be real
It's distressing but true
But I know it's a
But I recognize that it's a
Universal
Global
Universal tribulation
Collective suffering
I feel it and I know it
I experience and understand it
It is a universal
It's a worldwide
Universal tribulation (oh lord)
Global sorrow, oh Lord
I couldn't take any more
I could not endure any longer
Of your baton blows, na no
From your beatings, no, no
I said your baton blows, yea
I affirm that it's your beatings,
Its got me moving slow (moving slow, slow)
That has made me slow, very slow
We not give up (not give up, no)
We won't surrender (won't give up, no)
Ya hear (or right here?) We not give up (not give up, no)
You hear us (or, we're right here), we won't give up (won't surrender, no)
While the children are crying
When the kids are weeping
Their mum is undying yea
Their mother is deceased, yes
And while the grass is is a growin, lord knows
And when the grass is thriving, the Lord is aware
All the horses is a starving, yea
All the horses are famished, yes
But na ne know, a dis a universal
But nobody knows, this is a global
Universal tribulation
Collective suffering
I feel it as I tracked away
I experience it as I move on
Universal
Global
Universal tribulation
Collective suffering
I don't care what they wanna say
I don't mind what they want to say
Universal
Global
Universal tribulation
Collective suffering
You and I, you an I, you an I
You and I, you and I, you and I
Contributed by Andrew S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@regsis
Love this track , The more I listen to it , the sweeter it sounds. Classic track and definitely ahead of its time ❤🎉
@rasta8boy
RIP Gregory, you left us some killer tunes thank you dread
@crisf5310
Le best
@darreno1450
Yes sir!!
@mattrix2007
Tribute to the late gregory Isaacs. One of the greatest reggae artist's that ever walked this planet. RIP Gregory, your music will live on for ever.
@markblake4425
One of the greatest tunes by one of the greatest artists a masterpiece
@renton7866
1000% agree
@unityfrenzy938
2022 and it’s still a universal tribulation...hold on brothers and sisters jah time is near🙏
@darreno1450
One wicked tune!!!!That base rhythm
@easyselector4511
Beautiful, sad song. One of his best works.