Trenchtown Rock )
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


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This, I wanna tell you, is the Trenchtown experience
All the way from Trenchtown, Jamaica
Bob Marley and the Wailers, come on!

One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain
One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain
So hit me with music, hit me with music now, yeah
Hit me with music, hit me with music now, got to say

(Trenchtown rock) I say don't watch that
(Trenchtown rock) big fish or sprat
(Trenchtown rock) you reap what you sow
(Trenchtown rock) and everyone know now
(Trenchtown rock) don't turn your back
(Trenchtown rock) give the slum a try
(Trenchtown rock) never let the children cry
(Trenchtown rock) 'cause you got to tell Jah-Jah why you're

(Grooving) Kingston 12
(Grooving) Kingston 12
(Grooving) whoa, whoa, whoa, it's Kingston 12
(Grooving) it's Kingston 12
No want you fe galang so
No want you fe galang so
You want come cold I up
But you can't come cold I up
'Cause I'm grooving, yes I'm grooving

I say one good thing, one good thing
When it hits you feel no pain
One good thing about music
When it hits you feel no pain
So hit me with music
Hit me with music now
Hit me with music, hit me with music, now look at that

(Trenchtown rock) I say don't watch that
(Trenchtown rock) if you big fish or sprat
(Trenchtown rock) you reap what you sow
(Trenchtown rock) and everyone know now
(Trenchtown rock) don't turn your back
(Trenchtown rock) give the slum a try
(Trenchtown rock) never let the children cry
(Trenchtown rock) 'cause you got to tell Jah-Jah why you're

(Grooving, grooving)
(Grooving, grooving)

No want you fe galang so
No want you fe galang so
Want come cold I up
But you can't come cold I up
'Cause I'm grooving, lord, I'm grooving

I say one good thing, one good thing
When it hits you feel no pain
One good thing about music
When it hits you feel no pain
So hit me with music
Hit me with music now
Hit me with music
Brutalize me with music

It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock




It's Trenchtown rock
It's Trenchtown rock

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Trenchtown Rock by Bob Marley & The Wailers are an ode to the experience of growing up in Trenchtown, the rough inner-city neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica, where Bob Marley spent much of his formative years. The song is a tribute to the power of music as a means of escape, upliftment, and resistance.


The opening lines serve as an introduction to the Trenchtown experience, with Marley declaring that he and his band were bringing this experience to their listeners. He then speaks of the power of music to relieve pain, and implores his audience to "hit me with music." The verses that follow are a celebration of Trenchtown culture and values, with a message of social justice and resistance that ties in with Marley's Rastafarian beliefs. The chorus repeats the message "don't watch that" and "you reap what you sow," urging listeners to stay true to their values and never turn their backs on their community.


Notably, the song also references the specific Kingston neighborhood of "Kingston 12," where Trenchtown is located. This nod to the band's roots further emphasizes the connection between the music and the experiences of the community it originated from.


Line by Line Meaning

This, I wanna tell you, is the Trenchtown experience
I want to share with you the unique cultural and social flavor of Trenchtown, Jamaica through this music.


All the way from Trenchtown, Jamaica
This music has its roots and inspiration in the impoverished but vibrant community of Trenchtown in Jamaica.


One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain
Music has the power to heal and uplift your spirit by providing a momentary escape from the hardships of life.


So hit me with music, hit me with music now, yeah
Play that music for me right now – let me feel its power in this moment.


(Trenchtown rock) I say don't watch that
Don't be afraid to explore the gritty and sometimes harsh reality of Trenchtown through this music.


(Trenchtown rock) big fish or sprat
Whether you're rich or poor, this music has something for everyone.


(Trenchtown rock) you reap what you sow
The consequences of your actions will come back to you, so be mindful and choose wisely.


(Trenchtown rock) and everyone know now
The truth about life in Trenchtown and the power of music to transcend hardship is something everyone can now understand and appreciate.


(Trenchtown rock) don't turn your back
Don't ignore or abandon the struggling communities like Trenchtown – take action and offer assistance.


(Trenchtown rock) give the slum a try
Visit or explore the slums like Trenchtown to truly understand and appreciate the struggle and perseverance of its people.


(Trenchtown rock) never let the children cry
We must protect and nurture the children of Trenchtown who are too often neglected and abused.


(Trenchtown rock) 'cause you got to tell Jah-Jah why you're
We must be accountable for our actions and justify them to our creator, Jah-Jah.


(Grooving) Kingston 12
I'm dancing and enjoying myself to the rhythm and spirit of Kingston 12.


(Grooving) whoa, whoa, whoa, it's Kingston 12
I'm caught up in the excitement and energy of Kingston 12.


No want you fe galang so
I don't want you to act that way towards me.


You want come cold I up
You want to intimidate or bully me with your actions or words.


But you can't come cold I up
But you can't break my spirit or bring me down.


'Cause I'm grooving, yes I'm grooving
I'm too caught up in my own enjoyment and happiness to be brought down by outside negativity.


Brutalize me with music
This music has the power to transport and transform me so much that it could be considered an act of violence.


It's Trenchtown rock
This music is a homage to and reflection of the spirit and culture of Trenchtown.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@WILODSM

All the people who saw Bob performed live: you guys are the luckiest people that ever put feet on this earth!!!!!!

@1pittmanj

I agree with that statement 1000 percent. So jealous

@ColbyYadz

@@1pittmanj you did see it. in this video. i know its not much, but imagine the odds of being born in a time you can even be able to witness this, and even moreso what will come BECAUSE of it! enjoy your ride of life and see what comes from all this crazy beautiful music

@p.b.-letspickacardandsee8576

Saw The Wailers in Liverpool live! 👍🏿
WHAT a gig 😎
✌🏿❤️💛💚
😇

@Arthookitup

Santa Cruz civic auditorium ❤️💛💚

@anitakos1375

💚💚💚❤️❤️❤️

47 More Replies...

@warriorhippie

This song does something unexplainable to my soul.

@furahdread8330

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTnzetmc45w&list=TLPQMTMxMjIwMjEjesn57Ruhfg&index=26

@caingerdanger

Amen

@response207

you reap what you sow

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