Waiting In Vain
Bill Laswell / Bob Marley Lyrics
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I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
My heart says follow t'rough
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
'Cause I know how to do my thing
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
'Cause if summer is here
I'm still waiting there
Winter is here
And I'm still waiting there
Like I said
It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
And I still can knock some more
Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
But your love is my relief
Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
See
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love, oh
I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain
No, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain
No, I don't wanna (I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
No I, no I (I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on (I don't wanna)
It's me love that you're running from. (I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on (I don't wanna)
It's me love that you're running from. (I don't wanna wait in vain)
I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain
The lyrics to "Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley express a deep longing and frustration for a love that is not reciprocated. The singer has been waiting for years for the object of his affection to return his feelings, but she seems to be keeping him at a distance. Despite his pain and sadness, he remains hopeful that she will come to him eventually. He sings about the tears in his eyes and the burning pain in his heart, but he cannot help but hold on to the hope that his love will be returned.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is not willing to play games or be manipulated by the woman he desires. He asks her not to treat him like a puppet on a string and insists that he knows how to do his own thing. He wants to be treated as an equal and respected for his intelligence and feelings. He wants his love to be acknowledged and reciprocated without any games or manipulations.
Overall, "Waiting in Vain" is a poignant and heartfelt expression of longing and love. It captures the universal experience of waiting for someone who may never come, and the pain and hope that go along with such a situation.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three
Counting off, signaling the start of the song
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
Expressing frustration and impatience with waiting for love
From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
Reflecting on the first encounter with the subject of affection
My heart says follow t'rough
Heartfelt desire to pursue a relationship
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
Realization that the subject of affection is not reciprocating feelings
But the waitin' feel is fine
Acceptance of the situation and patience
So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
Demanding respect and agency in the relationship
'Cause I know how to do my thing
Asserting confidence and independence
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
Objecting to being patronized or dismissed
I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
Requesting clarity and communication from the subject of affection
'Cause if summer is here
Drawing attention to the passage of time and seasons
I'm still waiting there
Implying that the waiting has continued despite changing circumstances
Winter is here
Further highlighting the passage of time and seasons
And I'm still waiting there
Emphasizing the persistence of the situation
Like I said
Reiterating a previous statement
It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
Revealing the length of time spent pursuing the subject of affection
And I still can knock some more
Indicating that the pursuit has not yet ended
Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
Expressing doubts about the possibility of a relationship
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
Demanding a clear answer in order to make a decision about the future
Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
Reflecting on the challenges of life
But your love is my relief
Highlighting the importance of the subject of affection in finding happiness
Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
Expressing emotional pain and distress
While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
Continuing to wait despite the pain and distress
No, I don't wanna
Refusing to continue waiting without clarity or progress
It's your love that I'm waiting on
Giving the subject of affection responsibility for the situation
It's me love that you're running from.
Challenging the subject of affection to acknowledge and address their own feelings
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind