The live version of the song ranked No. 37 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
As a single, it reached number 22 in the UK in 1975, and, in the wake of Marley's death, reached number 8. It was certified Gold in the UK, Italy and Brazil.
No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Said, said, said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
Oba observing the hypocrites
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way (way)
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say and
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Said, said, said, I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone, I mean
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
So woman, no cry
No no woman, no woman, no cry
Oh my little sister, don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Oh my little darlin', say don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry, ay
Little darling, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Little sister, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” is not only one of the most famous songs in the reggae genre, but it’s also an anthem calling for people to have hope, stay strong, and not give up on life. The song is about the memories of Marley’s formative and daily life in Trenchtown, Jamaica. The first part of the song talks about how he and his friends would sit in the government yard in Trenchtown and reflect on life. Additionally, the song speaks to the hypocrisy that exists in the world which he saw as a child.
The second part of the song recalls Marley’s memories of his family and the times when they would sit around a fire in Trenchtown talking, cooking, and laughing. However, as the song progresses, he shifts his focus to the challenging reality of living in a poor area, specifically the hardships he faced while growing up in Jamaica. The song encourages listeners to keep a positive outlook, maintain hope, and appreciate the good times with friends and family even amidst difficulty.
Overall, Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" is a testament to the resilience and fortitude that individuals must embody in the face of life's harshest circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
No, woman, no cry
Hey woman, don't cry
No, woman, no cry
Hey woman, don't cry
No, woman, no cry
Hey woman, don't cry
No, woman, no cry
Hey woman, don't cry
'Cause, 'cause, 'cause I remember when we used to sit
Because I have a memory of sitting
In the government yard in Trenchtown
In a public area in Trenchtown
Oba, observing the hypocrites, yeah
Watching people who act contrary to their beliefs
Mingle with the good people we meet, yeah
Socializing with people who share our values
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
We've had good friends we've lost along the way
Along the way, yeah
Through the journey of life
In this great future, you can't forget your past
In the future, your past is still important
So dry your tears, I say, yeah
Don't cry, be strong
Eh, said, said, said, I remember when we used to sit
I vividly remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown, yeah
In a public area in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire lights, I say
Then our friend Georgie would light the fire
A log wood burnin' through the night, yeah
A log burning all night long
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge, I say
And then we would make porridge
Of which I'll share with you, yeah
I'll share it with you
My feet is my only carriage
I have to travel on foot
And so I've got to push on through
I have to keep going
But while I'm gone
While I'm away
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything will be okay
So no, woman, no cry
So no, woman, don't cry
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, don't cry
I say, oh little, oh little, darling, don't shed no tears
I say, oh dear, don't cry
No, woman, no cry, eh
No, woman, don't cry
No, woman, no, woman, no, woman, no cry
No, woman, don't cry
No, woman, no cry, one more time I've got to say
I have to say it one more time, no woman, don't cry
Oh little, little darling, please don't shed no tears
Oh dear, please don't cry
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, don't cry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Vincent Ford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nooch Le
NO WOMEN NO CRY
Moustapha Mbow
moustapha mbow
@Musicsky168
If you are reading this, May God remove your pain, worries, problems, and replace them with a good health, happiness and peace.
@lucastavares2511
God bless you always my brother.
@BradThompson-pp9ws
Amen❤ my soul needed that prayer
@camiladavinci8764
Thank you❤
@dh2908
❤❤❤
@superkat460
My favorite Marley song is No woman, No cry! Bob was sent from heaven to bless the world with his anointed talent and make a timeless musical impact that transcends race, religions, politics, cultures, ethnicities, and age. He and his music connect and unite the world in one love. His children, even from different mothers, live out his amazing legacy as one family. Bob once said he's African first, then Jamaican, but he belongs to the universe. His critics are ignored by the millions of fans. Too bad his own father didn't want to get to know him.
@carmemsilva5699
❤
@susanmaryunk3000
I feel privileged to have seen Bob live, many, many years ago. He is forever in my heart.