Time Will Tell
Bob Marley (Natural Mystic) Lyrics
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Run come crucify the Dread
[Chorus:]
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Ya think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Back them up; oh, not the brothers,
But the ones who sets 'em up
[Chorus]
Oh, ma,
Oh, ma,
Oh, ma children are cryin'
Oh, children, weep no more!
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
All you, have spoke
Oh, children, weep no more
Weep no more, children, weep no more!
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
Run come crucify the Dread
[Chorus]
The opening lines of the song "Time will tell" by Bob Marley speak to the belief held by Rastafarians that God, who they refer to as Jah, would never give power to someone who is not "dread" or Rasta. The use of the term "bald head" is a reference to those who are not considered Rasta, and it is believed that they do not have a divine connection to the spiritual world. The next line "Run come crucify the Dread" speaks to the persecution that Rastafarians often faced as their beliefs and practices were seen as a threat by those in power. In this way, the lyrics speak to both a spiritual belief and a political reality.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea that time will reveal the truth of one's existence. The repetition of the line "Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell" suggests that many people are not aware of the reality of their situation and may be living in a state of ignorance or denial. The use of "ya" instead of "you" or "you're" is a nod to the Jamaican Creole or patois language spoken by many in Jamaica.
The song also references the idea of being set up or betrayed by those who are supposed to be allies. This can be seen in the line "Back them up; oh, not the brothers, but the ones who set 'em up," which speaks to the idea that one must be wary of those who appear to be on their side but may have ulterior motives.
Line by Line Meaning
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
The belief that Jah, or God, would never want someone who is not humble to have power or control. A bald head represents someone who is arrogant and disconnected from their roots.
Run come crucify the Dread
The singer is calling on those who are against him to come and try to stop him. The word 'dread' is used to represent Rastafarianism and the singer is calling on others to come and try to destroy it.
Time alone, oh, time will tell
The truth about a situation will eventually come to light. Time is the only way to truly understand the reality of a situation.
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Even though someone might think they have everything they need, they are actually living in misery and suffering. The idea is that people can be fooled into thinking they are happy or content, but the truth is the opposite.
Back them up; oh, not the brothers, but the ones who sets 'em up
The artist is calling on others to support the ones who are being oppressed, not the ones who are doing the oppressing. This line speaks to the idea of solidarity and standing up for the underdog.
Oh, ma, oh, ma, oh, ma children are cryin' / Oh, children, weep no more!
The singer is referencing the cries of those who are suffering and oppressed. The second line is a call for those who are in pain to stop crying and to have hope for a better future.
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
The singer is speaking to the idea of nature and how it witnesses the struggles of humanity. The sycamore tree is a symbol of strength and resilience, and it has seen the 'freedom tree', which represents the idea of liberation and breaking free of oppression.
All you, have spoke / Oh, children, weep no more
The artist is calling on all people to come together and stand against oppression. The phrase 'weep no more' is repeated again and reinforces the idea of hope and positivity.
Jah would never give the power to a bald head / Run come crucify the Dread
This line is repeated again and reinforces the idea that the artist knows that those who are against him will try to destroy him, but he is not afraid of them. He knows that his cause is just and will eventually triumph.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@glorytausi1685
Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the dread
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Back them up, oh not the brothers
But the ones, who set them up
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Sold my ticket, run and go
Sold man to the ground
Sold man, take a man pride
Oh children weep no more
Oh my sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
Saw you settle the score
Oh children weep no more
Weep no more, children weep no more
Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the dread
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven but you're living in hell
@Tricyclejam
Just logged into my account after like nine years, I can believe this has so many views and people subscribed to an idle YouTube account lol.
@1GiveSubs1
crazy huh lol
@Tricyclejam
Yeah it’s pretty wild. Thinking maybe I shook make content now. I got a really nice PC. Might as well.
@1GiveSubs1
Do whatever makes you happy :)
@callen.6371
Time will tell
@Mr.Rodgers7
MikasaPleaseMarryMe 9 years damn lol
@Stephen-xk7cl
One of Bob Marleys most poetic but underated songs.
Quite simply beautiful.
@edithge6017
Reds
@loganweeks2353
Best in my opinion
@letschatwithdeneshajarrett1346
I don't think it's underrated