Time Will Tell
Bob_Marley_-_1978_-_Kaya Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, oh
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
Run come crucify the Dread

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you are in heaven, but you living in hell
Back them up, oh, not the brothers
But the ones who set them up

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Mm-mm, mm-mm
Oh, ma
Oh, ma
Oh, ma children are cryin'
Oh, children, weep no more
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
All you have spoke
Oh, children, weep no more
Weep no more, children, weep no more

Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the Dread

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell




Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song 'Time Will Tell' by Bob Marley & The Wailers are a reflection of the Rastafarian belief that Babylon, which represents the corrupt system that oppresses people, has been ruling the world for centuries. The first line of the song, 'Jah would never give the power to a bald head,' refers to the belief that Babylonians, who are often depicted with bald heads, do not have the spiritual power to rule over the people. The second line, 'Run come crucify the Dread,' calls on the people to reject the societal norms and crucify those who perpetuate these norms.


The chorus of the song, 'Time alone, oh, time will tell, think you're in heaven, but you living in hell,' means that despite the illusion of a perfect life, true life experiences cannot be avoided. The repetition of the line 'think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell' highlights the contrast between the perceived life of luxury and happiness and the harsh realities of living in a corrupt system.


The song also references the struggles of the oppressed people through lines such as 'children are crying' and 'sycamore tree saw the freedom tree.' The song encourages the people to stand up against their oppressors and reject societal norms that perpetuate the corrupt system.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, oh
The start of the song, no true meaning.


Jah would never give the power to a bald head
God would never give power to those who are corrupt, symbolized by those with bald heads.


Run come crucify the Dread
The corrupt, symbolized by the baldheads, are urged to kill the true Rastafarians, represented by the Dreadlocks.


Time alone, oh, time will tell
Only time will reveal the true nature of things.


Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
People may believe they are living in heaven, but in reality they are in a state of suffering.


Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.


Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.


Time alone, oh, time will tell
Reiteration of the idea that only time will reveal the truth.


You think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Restate of the idea that people may believe they are living in a good place, but in reality, they are faced with many problems.


Back them up, oh, not the brothers
Do not support those who have set up corrupt leaders to gain power.


But the ones who set them up
Hold accountable those who enable the corrupt leaders to take and keep power.


Mm-mm, mm-mm
An interlude, serving no true purpose.


Oh, ma
An interlude, serving no true purpose.


Oh, ma
An interlude, serving no true purpose.


Oh, ma children are cryin'
Children are in pain/suffering, which could be a result of the corrupt system/heaven turning to hell.


Oh, children, weep no more
Comfort is offered to the children, and they are urged to stop crying.


Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
A metaphor is used in which the sycamore tree is representative of freedom, which was seen as hope for the Rastafarians.


All you have spoke
All the wisdom of the sycamore tree is taken into consideration.


Oh, children, weep no more
Reiteration of urging the children to stop crying.


Weep no more, children, weep no more
Reiteration of the idea that children should not cry anymore.


Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Reiteration of the idea that those who are corrupt and immoral will never gain true power.


Run come crucify the Dread
Repeated to emphasize that the enemies of the Rastafarians will stop at nothing to destroy them.


Time alone, oh, time will tell
Reiteration of the idea that time will ultimately reveal the truth.


Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may believe they are in a good situation, but are, in fact, living in a hellish state.


Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may believe they are in a good position, but are actually in a difficult one.


Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may be living in unfavorable circumstances without realizing it.


Time alone, oh, time will tell
The conclusion of the song, reiterating that time will uncover the truth.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Str8FeaR

Oh, oh
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
Run come crucify the Dread

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you are in heaven, but you living in hell
Back them up, oh, not the brothers
But the ones who set them up

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Mm-mm, mm-mm
Oh, ma
Oh, ma
Oh, ma children are cryin'
Oh, children, weep no more
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
All you have spoke
Oh, children, weep no more
Weep no more, children, weep no more

Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the Dread

Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell



All comments from YouTube:

Opm Reggae Playlist

Você que está lendo essa mensagem o universo está lhe enviando boas energias neste exato momento!

Hamdel Sun

Thank Jah! I need it.

Johnny B Goode.

Catch A Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibration, Exodus, Kaya...what a run of wonderful albums that is:)

High Medic

@John Grytbakk Talking Blues must be a compilation album.

High Medic

People in this comment thread are also forgetting about Uprising and Confrontation.

John Grytbakk

Rastaman Vibration was the first album I bought back then. I love it. But my favorit album is the one named Talkin' Blues.

Johnny B Goode.

@RON KALI I'd go with Exodus as my favorite, but Survival is brilliant as well.

RON KALI

You forgot the most crucial one Survival

gumani mudzili

Listen to reggae music helped in naturing me to where I am today, guided and mentored me and hopefully it will guide me back to the creator

Muparadzi john

Legends do not die. They live in all of us.....

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