Sufferin' Souls /
Babylon Circus Lyrics


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Sitting on the ground in di ghetto
Talking with my brother Natty Congo Bongo
Let me tell you what he said
Let me tell you what he said

How long shall I stay on that bridge
Waiting for the Police to go
How long shall I smoke on that spliff
Waiting for the children to grow

Too long, we've been too long
Waiting for the children to grow
Sitting on a step at di station
With Mama in a great tribulation
Let me tell you what she said
Let me tell you what she said

See dem a cheating and a lying
See dem a shootin' our children
cnd we're standing aside, doing nothing
cnd we're holdin' our head and crying

Sitting in the grass inna Zion
Chatting with an old countryman
Let me tell you what he said
Let me tell you what he said

They came up, to cut down my tree
They came up, to burn all di country
They came up...

Sufferin' souls in csia
Sufferin' souls in cfrica
Sufferin' souls in South cmerica
Sufferin' souls everywhere





cnd no where to go fe dem now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Babylon Circus's song "Sufferin' Souls" express the experiences and struggles of individuals living in different parts of the world. The first verse focuses on a conversation between the singer and their brother Natty Congo Bongo in the ghetto. Natty expresses his frustration and impatience with the current state of affairs, questioning how long he must wait for the police to leave and for the next generation to reach maturity. The phrase "Waiting for the children to grow" implies that they are waiting for a better future where the children can thrive without fear or oppression.


In the second verse, the scene shifts to a busy station where the singer encounters a distressed woman, referred to as Mama. She voices her concerns about the injustice and deceit she witnesses around her. She also highlights the tragic reality of children being harmed or killed, while others simply stand by without taking action. The line "cnd we're holdin' our head and crying" suggests a sense of powerlessness and sorrow felt by Mama and others who share her frustration.


The third verse takes place in Zion, symbolizing a place of peace and harmony. Here, the singer engages in a conversation with an older individual who reflects on the destruction and upheaval caused by external forces. The lines "They came up, to cut down my tree / They came up, to burn all di country" depict the hardships faced by communities as their homes and natural surroundings are ravaged.


The chorus emphasizes the universal nature of suffering, as it occurs not only in Asia, Africa, and South America, but "everywhere." The repeated phrase "Sufferin' souls" serves to unite the diverse experiences of people facing oppression and hardships worldwide. The concluding line, "cnd no where to go fe dem now," suggests a sense of hopelessness and displacement, as those suffering feel they have nowhere to turn for relief or refuge.


Overall, the lyrics of "Sufferin' Souls" shed light on the struggles, injustice, and despair experienced by individuals in different parts of the world. The song calls for empathy, understanding, and action to address these shared challenges and create a better future for all.


Line by Line Meaning

Sitting on the ground in di ghetto
Resting on the floor in the impoverished area


Talking with my brother Natty Congo Bongo
Engaging in conversation with my companion from Congo


Let me tell you what he said
Allow me to share with you his words


How long shall I stay on that bridge
For how much longer should I wait on that bridge


Waiting for the Police to go
Anticipating the departure of the authorities


How long shall I smoke on that spliff
For how much longer should I smoke that joint


Waiting for the children to grow
Anticipating the maturation of the young ones


Too long, we've been too long
An excessive duration, we've been waiting for far too long


Waiting for the children to grow
Anticipating the maturation of the young ones


Sitting on a step at di station
Resting on a stair at the station


With Mama in a great tribulation
Accompanied by Mother in a state of great distress


Let me tell you what she said
Allow me to share with you her words


See dem a cheating and a lying
Witnessing them engaging in deception and falsehood


See dem a shootin' our children
Observing them shooting our offspring


cnd we're standing aside, doing nothing
And we're remaining idle, taking no action


cnd we're holdin' our head and crying
And we're clutching our heads and shedding tears


Sitting in the grass inn Zion
Resting on the grass in Zion


Chatting with an old countryman
Having a conversation with an elderly man from the countryside


Let me tell you what he said
Allow me to share with you his words


They came up, to cut down my tree
They approached, intending to chop down my tree


They came up, to burn all di country
They arrived, aiming to set the entire country ablaze


They came up...
They arrived...


Sufferin' souls in csia
Distressed individuals in Asia


Sufferin' souls in cfrica
Suffering individuals in Africa


Sufferin' souls in South cmerica
Suffering individuals in South America


Sufferin' souls everywhere
Suffering individuals all around


cnd no where to go fe dem now
And nowhere for them to turn to now




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JP Boussat, Manuel Nectoux

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jeliceinchains

great one !!!

@MrJujuriri

For foreigners who don't know French rock... Other good French rock songs (63 songs)...
Babylon circus - pauvre fou : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwnIlia1ZBo
N&SK - Kangourou nomade : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Aj9jYGsDw
La ruda salska - Que le bon l'emporte : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnEDMKt4c-A
Maximum kouette - C'est promu : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNQViwedNm0
Los tres puntos - Rambo show : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-uMyFSx-yU
Los tres puntos - Si oh : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vW_iRxF4HI
La ruda salska - Barton killer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rJPuqLO-Rg
Spook & the guay - L'homme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCM_yOQ1Fe8
Percubaba - Le choix : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSJka33CSjg
Shaka Ponk/Bertrand Cantat - Palabra mi amor : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrLWo2QOsH4
Subway - Ces mots là : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leCgTTCC1mM
Luke - Soledad : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBOAwVpEvxw
Noir desir - Tostaky : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4il2GbaJyc
Deportivo - 1000 moi même : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyRoui-OXPA
Guerilla poubelle - Etre une femme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKy90TSrJA
Melissmell - Sobre la muerte : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8_Fe9ziM2E
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Elista - Perceval : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQEllsRtUr4
BB brunes - Dis moi : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3VNRVo7irM
An Pierlé (Belgium) - Il est 5 heures, Paris s'éveille : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZOEmigHwY0
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Mickey 3D - Yalil : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUsXf5EbsP8
Indochine - L'aventurier : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7X6oYg6iro
Babylon circus - Pauvre fou : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwnIlia1ZBo
Mano negra - Mala vida : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmxoPjwnvPM
Alerte rouge - Toutes les bombes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6a8kGkLUps
Jena Lee - Je me perds : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5oeTaN85o
Kyo - Je cours : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqBUE8z-bk
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Oneyed Jack - Le choléra : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3qE8DzMCd8
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Pleymo - United nowhere : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRT8__Iyyg0
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