Trench Town
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

(Scoop, scoop, scoop, scoo-doo; Scoop, scoop wa-doo)
The song starts with an upbeat rhythm, setting the tone for positivity and hope.

Up a cane river to wash my dread;
The singer describes himself going to a river to wash his dreadlocks, which makes him think about the oppression his people face.

Upon a rock I rest my head
The singer takes a break from his journey and rests his head on a rock, contemplating the struggles he and his people face.

There I vision through the seas of oppression, oh
The singer envisions a better future for his people despite the oppression they face every day.

Don't make my life a prison
The singer pleads for freedom from the chains that keep him and his people oppressed.

We come from Trench Town, Trench Town (Trenchtown)
The singer proudly declares that he and his fellow musicians come from Trench Town, a poor area in Jamaica with a significant cultural impact.

Most of them come from Trench Town
The singer highlights that many of the people who suffer oppression come from Trench Town, where poverty and corruption are prevalent.

We free the people with music (sweet music);
The singer believes that music can help his people achieve freedom from oppression and injustice.

Can we free the people with music? (sweet music)
The singer poses a question, wondering if music can indeed be a vehicle of change for his people.

Can we free our people with music? With music, With music, oh music
The singer reiterates his belief in the power of music to liberate his people from oppression and hardship.

Oh why, my head,
The singer expresses his confusion and distress about the state of his people and their struggle for freedom.

In desolate places we'll find our bread,
The singer draws attention to the reality his people face, where they must strive to survive in harsh conditions.

And everyone see what's taking place, oh
The singer reminds us that everyone should take responsibility for what is happening and work towards effecting positive change.

Another page in history
The singer sees the oppression of his people as another part of their collective history, which they must overcome.

They say it's hard to speak;
The singer acknowledges that speaking up against oppression is difficult but also vital.

They feel so strong to say we are weak;
The singer highlights the tendency of the oppressors to view the oppressed as weak and powerless.

But through the eyes the love of our people, oh
The singer counters this perception by highlighting the love, strength, and resilience of his people.

They've got to repay
The singer demands that the oppressors must repay the debt they owe to his people for the injustices they have suffered.

They say, "Can anything good come out of Trench Town?"
The singer is aware of the prevalent stereotypes about Trench Town as a place of poverty and desperation from which nothing good could come out.

(Trench, Trenchtown) That's what they say, (Trenchtown);
The singer repeats the derogatory words, highlighting the need to challenge and overcome such negative perceptions.

Say (Trench, Trenchtown) we're the underprivileged people,
The singer acknowledges that his people are underprivileged and challenges those who benefit from this status quo to assume their responsibilities.

So (Trenchtown) they keep us in chains:
The singer points out that the oppressors use various tactics to keep his people oppressed, whether political or economic.

"Pay (Trench, Trenchtown), pay, pay tribute to," (Trenchtown)
The singer demands that those in power pay attention to the plight of his people and pay tribute to their dignity and worth.

We come from (Trench, Trenchtown); We come from (Trench, Trenchtown));
The singer repeats the declaration of his roots in a show of pride and solidarity with others from Trench Town.

Just because we come from (Trenchtown) Not because we come from (Trenchtown) Just because we come from (Trenchtown)
The singer emphasizes the pride in his heritage but also insists that his people's worth should not be measured solely by that identity, as they are individuals with their own talents and aspirations.