Bus Dem Shut
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life is for man to live (let man live life)
Bread is for man to eat (let man eat bread)
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism

Everything ya run dung 'pon (x4)

Come, we go reason now
Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now
(We deh go reason now) (x3)

Where do you stand for happiness
When you no say you no want it
While some a dem (some a dem, some a dem) out deh, eh

I bus dem shut right now
Fi get it
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism

Woman feels the pain
Man suffer, Lord
Woman feels the pain
Man suffer, Lord

Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now (x6)
Peeyah, peeyah, pyaka, come (x3)
Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now (x4)
Bread and pyaka
Sister pyaka
Bread and pyaka
Sister pyaka




Cut down pyaka-ism
Cut down pyaka-ism

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Bus dem shut" address the issue of class distinctions and societal inequalities in Jamaica at the time. The refrain, "bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism," is a call to end the unfair distribution of resources and opportunities. The term "pyaka" refers to a Jamaican term for someone who is seen as inferior or of low status. The song conveys the message that everyone deserves equal access to the basic necessities of life and opportunities for happiness.


The opening lines, "life is for man to live, bread is for man to eat," are a simple assertion of the right to a basic standard of living. The repetition of the phrase "everything ya run dung 'pon" emphasizes the idea that resources and opportunities are unfairly distributed.


The chorus, "I bus dem shut right now, fi get it," is a call for action and an assertion of the right to demand change. The song encourages listeners to stand up and demand their rights and to reject the notion that some people are inherently inferior.


Overall, "Bus dem shut" is a powerful statement on the need for social equity and the right to a basic standard of living. It is a call to action for listeners to demand change and reject the notion that society should be divided based on status.


Line by Line Meaning

Life is for man to live (let man live life)
Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed by every human being, so let everyone live their own life.


Bread is for man to eat (let man eat bread)
Food is a basic necessity for every human being, so let everyone have access to it.


Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism
Abolish fake behavior and materialism that destroys the true essence of humanity.


Everything ya run dung 'pon (x4)
No matter what you do, everything will come to an end eventually.


Come, we go reason now
Let's have a discussion and think deeply about important issues.


Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now
Let's come together repeatedly and think critically on the present problems.


(We deh go reason now) (x3)
We are going to start a discussion now that will challenge the status quo.


Where do you stand for happiness
Do you know what will make you happy and are you willing to fight for it?


When you no say you no want it
When you deny happiness even though you really want it deep down inside.


While some a dem (some a dem, some a dem) out deh, eh
While some people are out there living their best life.


I bus dem shut right now Fi get it
I am going to stand up against those who stand in the way of my happiness and success.


Woman feels the pain Man suffer, Lord
Women are often subjected to pain and men suffer from societal expectations placed on them.


Peeyah, peeyah, pyaka, come (x3)
The sound of music is a call to action.


Bread and pyaka Sister pyaka Bread and pyaka Sister pyaka
There are many fake things in the world that are disguised as something real and genuine.


Cut down pyaka-ism Cut down pyaka-ism
We need to eliminate fake behavior and materialism from our lives.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

HI!

Life is for man to live (let man live life)
Bread is for man to eat (let man eat bread)
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism

Everything ya run dung 'pon (x4)

Come, we go reason now
Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now
(We deh go reason now) (x3)

Where do you stand for happiness
When you no say you no want it
While some a dem (some a dem, some a dem) out deh, eh

I bus dem shut right now
Fi get it
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism
Bread and pyaka, cut down pyaka-ism

Woman feels the pain
Man suffer, Lord
Woman feels the pain
Man suffer, Lord

Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now (x6)
Peeyah, peeyah, pyaka, come (x3)
Come-a come-a come-a, we go reason now (x4)
Bread and pyaka
Sister pyaka
Bread and pyaka
Sister pyaka
Cut down pyaka-ism
Cut down pyaka-ism



All comments from YouTube:

Clarence Wright

As a child 9 years old in Trench Town i use to hear Bob and the wailer practice in the yard next door, I hid under the house and just listen to them, they smoke weed and then play, the music was haunting, my grandmother use to say BOB AND DEM BOYS MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE, now history

rossrapp1

Him play for dem duppy.

Lauren DW

Wow!

Joanna Dunn

That's so cool!

Muindi Nzomo

You were lucky to listen to the prophets of our time sing for the Most High

Romans1:16 SpiritualWarrior

Only thing wrong with this track is it’s too short. Wana keep listening over and over
❤️💛💚

Gordon Mckenzie

Need a remix, extended intro, cut the intro back into the middle of the track, and strip fade all instruments at the end for an a capella ending....

Eric William

Romans1:16 SpiritualWarrior pull dat!!

Bland paintings

My music

Omari The People

I was saying the samething lol

More Comments

More Versions