On & on
Aswad & Sweetie Irie Lyrics


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Down in Jamaica
They got lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she's in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan

On and on
She just keeps on trying
And she smiles when she feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on

Poor ol' Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry

On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on

When the first time is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight

Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
My woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don't care
I'll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart to see where it lands

On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on





On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on

Overall Meaning

The song "On & On" by Aswad and Sweetie Irie tells the stories of different characters who are facing heartbreak and adversity in their lives. The first verse introduces Lonesome Sue who is in love with a man named Sam. However, Sam seems to be trouble and has taken her from the fire (trouble) and into the frying pan (more trouble). Despite her struggles, Sue keeps trying and smiling through her tears. The second verse is about Jimmy who is heartbroken after seeing his woman kissing someone else. He feels so bad that he takes a ladder to steal the stars from the sky and listens to Sinatra while crying. He too keeps trying and smiling through his tears.


The chorus "On and on, she just keeps on trying, and she smiles when she feels like crying" is a message of hope and perseverance. It tells listeners to keep moving forward and not let life's challenges get them down. The line "when the first time is the last time, it can make you feel so bad, but if you know it, show it, hold on tight, don't let her say goodnight" suggests that if you know you've found love, you should hold on and fight for it.


The last verse speaks to the singer's personal struggle. He's lost his woman to another man, but he doesn't care because he's living in the moment, soaking up the sun with his toes in the sand. He throws his heart up in the air to see where it lands, suggesting that he's open to whatever the future holds.


Line by Line Meaning

Down in Jamaica
In Jamaica


They got lots of pretty women
There are many beautiful women


Steal your money
Take your money without permission


Then they break your heart
And then cause emotional pain


Lonesome Sue, she's in love with ol' Sam
Sue, who is lonely, is romantically involved with Sam


Take him from the fire into the frying pan
Bringing Sam from a bad situation into a worse one


On and on
Continuously


She just keeps on trying
Sue persistently attempts to improve her situation


And she smiles when she feels like crying
Despite feeling sad, Sue puts on a happy face


Poor ol' Jimmy
Sympathetic reference to Jimmy


Sits alone in the moonlight
Jimmy is alone under the moon's light


Saw his woman kiss another man
Jimmy witnessed his partner cheating on him


So he takes a ladder
Jimmy gets a ladder


Steals the stars from the sky
Metaphorical act of defiance to show Jimmy's angst


Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
Listening to music and weeping as a way to cope with heartbreak


When the first time is the last time
When a relationship's initial encounter ultimately ends it


It can make you feel so bad
It can lead to severe emotional distress


But if you know it, show it
If you recognize it, demonstrate your emotions


Hold on tight
Hold onto the relationship


Don't let her say goodnight
Don't permit the relationship to end


Got the sun on my shoulders
In a sunny location


And my toes in the sand
Standing on sandy ground


My woman's left me for the some other man
My partner abandoned me for someone else


Aw, but I don't care
I am indifferent to this circumstance


I'll just dream and stay tan
I'll daydream and enjoy the sun


Toss up my heart to see where it lands
Taking a risk to see what happens to your emotions


I smile when I feel like dying
Masking intense pain with a smile




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN BISHOP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@mandynormah

Who’s listening to this in 2024❤️💛💚🖤😘

@losnamerales3403

One of my best memories is meeting Aswad as a child... love this song

@johanbesse

DRUMMIE GREAT DRUMS AND VOICE AMSTERDAM WILL MISS YOU R.I.P. REGGAE MASTER THANK,S FOR THE NICE AND HAPPY MUSIC LOVE AND RESPECT FROM IRIE AMSTERDAM.

@socceraswelikeit-themanutd1243

My Tune, who partied to this in the 90's .
Who is listening in 2020.

Great Talented group

@lopiklop

i am

@rtkyalpazz2497

👊🏽

@kelvinbishop8076

I'm here

@Zlervo

Still listening in 2024.

@ThrowbackSoul

RIP Drummer Zeb. Legend in British Reggae.🙏🏿🥲

@etherealdreams7936

🙏

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