Waiting In Vain
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
My heart said follow through
But I know now, that I'm way down on your line
But the waiting feel is fine
In life I know there's lots of grief
But your love is my relief
So the tears, tears in my
Tears in my eyes burn
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
'Cause it's summertime
I'm still waiting there
Winter is here
I'm still waiting there

It's been three years since I'm knocking 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
Don't treat me like I'm a puppet on your string
'Cause I know how to do my thing
Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb, girl
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 (what good is it to wait)
In vain for your love (to wait in vain?)
Whoa, summer is here
I'm still waiting there, yeah
Winter is here
I'm still waiting there, yeah

It's been three years since I'm knocking on your door
And I still can knock some more
Cuckoo-koo, girl, cuckoo, girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know, now, for I to knock some more
In life I know there's lots of grief
But your love is my relief (love is my relief)
Tears in my eyes burn
Tears in my eyes burn
While I'm waiting, while waiting for my turn, see
Simply 'cause

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Marley's "Waiting In Vain" express the feelings of a man who has been waiting for years for love that has not been reciprocated. He loves a girl and wants to be with her, as his heart told him to do so from the very first time he saw her, but she does not share the same feelings for him. He feels like she is dangling him on a string, but he is willing to wait for her because the feeling of waiting is better than not having her at all. He doesn't want to be treated like a puppet because he knows how to do his thing, and he wants to know when she will come to him.


The song is filled with emotions of love, longing, and patience. Despite the tears in his eyes, he is ready to wait for her because her love is his relief from the grief of life. He has been knocking on her door for three years and can still knock some more, hoping that she will come around. The chorus repeats how he doesn't want to wait in vain for her love while the seasons pass, and he is still waiting.


Overall, the lyrics convey the message of a man willing to wait for love despite knowing that it might never happen. It is a universal feeling that many can relate to and makes the song a classic even today.


Line by Line Meaning

One, two, three
Counting


I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
The singer doesn't want to wait and lose hope for the love of the person being addressed in this song.


From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
Since the first time the singer saw the person he loves, he knew he had to pursue her.


My heart says follow t'rough
The singer's heart encourages him to pursue his love interest, despite self-doubt.


But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
The singer realizes that his love interest doesn't feel the same way.


But the waitin' feel is fine
Despite the pain of unrequited love, the singer finds comfort in waiting for his love interest.


So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
The singer demands to be treated with respect and not as someone who can be manipulated.


'Cause I know how to do my thing
The singer is confident in himself and his abilities.


Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
The singer won't tolerate being talked down to or belittled.


I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
The singer wants to know if his love interest feels the same way and if there's a chance for a future together.


'Cause if summer is here
The time has passed quickly and the singer still hasn't received any indication of love from his interest.


I'm still waiting there
The singer is still patiently waiting for a sign of affection.


Winter is here
Although seasons have come and gone, the singer is still alone.


And I'm still waiting there
Despite the changing seasons, the singer still hasn't received love from his interest.


It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
The singer has been waiting for three years to receive affection from the person addressed in this song.


And I still can knock some more
The singer hasn't given up on the possibility of love from his interest and will keep trying.


Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
The singer questions if there's a possibility that his love interest will ever truly love him back.


Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
The singer acknowledges the difficulties of life and how love can often add to that complexity.


But your love is my relief
Despite the challenges of life, the singer knows that love is a source of relief and happiness.


Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
The pain of unrequited love is tearing the singer apart emotionally.


While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
The singer is still waiting patiently for the opportunity to be loved by the person he desires.


It's your love that I'm waiting on
The singer's desire and hope is for his love interest to reciprocate his feelings.


It's me love that you're running from.
The love interest is running away from the singer's love, and avoiding the possibility of a relationship.


I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
The singer repeats the sentiment of not wanting to wait in vain for love.


No, I don't wanna wait in vain
The singer reiterates that he doesn't want to wait in vain for love.


(I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna wait in vain)
The refrain repeats the message that the singer doesn't want to wait in vain for love.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
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

Max Taumata

all time fav

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@leandro0p11

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've 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 waiting 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 the 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 knocking on your door
And I still can knock some more
Uh, girl, uh, 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

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

It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from
It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from



@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



@vickyarifin678

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 placed 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 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 wait in vain)
It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from
It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from



All comments from YouTube:

@leandro0p11

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've 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 waiting 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 the 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 knocking on your door
And I still can knock some more
Uh, girl, uh, 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

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

It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from
It's your love that I'm waiting on
It's my love that you're running from

@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?

@elizaisabellle

🙏🏽

@markmurray5816

Waiting in vain ..

@GentlemanLife-Beyotch

Thank you, wise peanut.

12 More Replies...

@Def65-479

Don't wait for anyone. Move on if they don't feel the same way. Life is too short because there are so many people who will give you love. Be your best, be confident, and strive forward. Trust me, I once thought the same as this song conveys

@roses4me451

"Time waits for NO man. Neither does a good woman."

More Comments

More Versions