Waiting In Vain
Bob Marley & The Wailers(Exodus (1977)) Lyrics


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One, two, one, two, three

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 through
But I know now, that I'm way down on your line
But the waitin' feel is fine
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
Ooh, 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, 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
No, no, 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, I don't wanna, I don't wanna)
It's my love that you're running from (I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on (I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna)
It's my love that you're running from (I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)




Oh, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
I don't wanna wait in vain

Overall Meaning

"Waiting in Vain" is a song by Bob Marley, released in 1977 as part of his album "Exodus". The song is a slow, soulful track about the agony of unrequited love. The opening lines reveal the theme of the song - the singer doesn't want to wait in vain for the love of the girl he's pining for. He confesses that his heart was smitten with her from the very first time that he saw her, and begs for a sign that she too is in love with him. However, he fears that he is nothing important to her and he is just on the waiting line until something better comes her way. But he still finds comfort in waiting for her, as the anguish of longing is more bearable than losing hope altogether. He implores the girl to not treat him like a puppet on a string or talk to him as if he's a fool, and just tell him when she's going to be with him.


As the song progresses, the singer laments about the time that has passed by without her reciprocation. He questions whether his love is feasible or not, and if he should give up or continue to knock on her door. Even though there is a lot of sadness and pain involved in waiting for her, his love is the only solace that he has. He states that tears always roll down his eyes when he waits for her, but he knows that his love for her is the only cure for his sorrow. The repetition of the line "I don't wanna wait in vain for your love" in the chorus heightens the feeling of desperation and helplessness.


The song is a heartbreaking plea for someone's love and attention. It captures the bittersweet feelings of pain and hope that often overshadow unrequited love. Marley's signature reggae rhythm and his soulful delivery add a layer of emotional depth to this already poignant song.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't want to keep waiting for your love without any assurance of receiving it


From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
Since I first met you, I felt a connection and an urge to pursue you


My heart says follow t'rough
My heart tells me to stay committed to pursuing you


But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
However, I realize that I am not a priority to you


But the waitin' feel is fine
I am willing to endure the wait because I am hopeful about the outcome


So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
I do not want to feel like I am being manipulated or controlled by you


'Cause I know how to do my thing
I am confident in my abilities and do not need you to direct my actions


Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
Do not underestimate my intelligence or ability to understand the situation


I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
I want some clarity about whether you are interested in me or not


Like I said
As previously stated


It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
I have been pursuing you for three years already


And I still can knock some more
I have not given up yet and can keep trying


Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I am questioning whether it is possible for us to have a future together


I wanna know now, for I to knock some more
I would like to have a clear answer so that I can decide whether to keep pursuing you or not


Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
I am aware that life can bring a lot of pain and suffering


But your love is my relief
However, your love is what brings me comfort and happiness


Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
I am emotional and hurt by the uncertainty of our relationship


While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
As I wait for you to reciprocate my feelings, I am hoping that eventually, it will be my turn to receive your love


It's your love that I'm waiting on
I am waiting for you to love and accept me


It's me love that you're running from.
However, it seems like you are not interested in me romantically and are avoiding the situation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Bob Marley

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

@davepruyn8703

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 rest my eyes on you, girl
My heart says follow t'rough
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
But the waitin' feel is fine
So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
'Cause I know I have to do my thing
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
I wanna know when you're gonna come - soon
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


[Guitar solo]


Like I said
It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
And I still can knock some more
Ooh 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
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)
No, no-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 - I don't wanna
I don't wanna - I don't wanna - I don't wanna wait in vain)
It's me love that you're running from
It's your love that I'm waiting on (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 me love that you're running from



@IProvideLyrics1924

[Intro]
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
I don't wanna wait in vain for your love

[Verse 1]
From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
My heart says follow through
But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
But the waitin' feel is fine
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

[Chorus]
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

[Guitar solo]

[Verse 2]
Like I said:
It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
And I still can knock some more
Cuckoo girl, cuckoo 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!

[Chorus]
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!

[Outro]
I don't wanna - I don't wanna - I don't wanna - I don't wanna -
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
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) -
No, no-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 - I don't wanna -
I don't wanna - I don't wanna - I don't wanna wait in vain);
It's me love that you're running from
It's your love that I'm waiting on (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 me love that you're running from



All comments from YouTube:

@ayycasino4788

This song actually hits harder when you actually going thru it it’s crazy.

@LeosHouse

Heard. Been there. It was a long time ago. But I can still relate and love the song just the same now.

@ayycasino4788

@@LeosHouse for real

@madisonrembert2024

⁠@@LeosHouseRight it’s like you can heal but that scar will always be there you know!

@user-lt6ud1nu1r

Ikr

@noob_god1631

Yo imagine being a top comment on a bob Marley song

2 More Replies...

@OfMiceAndMegabytes

Truest song ever written and my favorite Marley tune. Don't take his love for granted he can't wait forever...

@bjj1028

Alan Q. Wake yup!!! I hope to see them at the queen mary one love Cali reggae fest

@user-yt6ok7uv1k

@@bjj1028 did you make it to the concert?

@elizaisabelle5427

🙏🏽

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