Cheer Up
Bob Marley feat. The Wailers Lyrics
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Cheer up my momma too, lord
Cheer up my father, let me say
I know it won't be long
That change has got to come
That change has got to come
And I know that it won't be long
We've been down in captivity (captivity) so long, so long
so strong, so strong, come I want you to
Cheer up my (brothers) my sisters
(cheer up my sisters) let me say
Cheer up my my my momma too, lord
Cheer up my father
Let me say, we've been down in captivity (captivity)
so long, so long
We unite we will be free (we will be free)
so strong, so strong
Cheer up my my my my my my brother
(cheer up my sister) cheer up my sisters
(cheer up my momma) my momma too lord
(cheer up my) my father
And I, I, I
believe that Bob Marley's Cheer Up is a song of hope and encouragement, meant to lift up those who have been oppressed and downtrodden for a long time. In the first verse, he urges not only his brothers and sisters but also his mother and father to cheer up, letting them know that change is coming and it is not far away. The repetition of "cheer up" throughout the song emphasizes the need to find joy and happiness in difficult times.
The second verse talks about being in captivity for a long time, which could be interpreted as people being oppressed and held down by forces outside of their control. However, Marley believes that the key to freedom lies in unity and coming together as one—uniting so that they can be strong and ultimately break free from their captors.
Throughout the song, Marley's words are filled with optimism and faith in a brighter future. He speaks not just to his immediate family, but to his extended "family" of fellow humans who have suffered in similar ways. He asks them to stay positive and hold on, knowing that the change that they've been waiting for is just around the corner.
Overall, Cheer Up is a message of hope that still resonates today, decades after it was originally written. No matter who you are or where you come from, the song encourages you to hold your head up and keep pushing forward, knowing that change is inevitable and that better days are ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Cheer up my brothers, cheer up my sisters
Encouraging everyone to stay hopeful and positive, regardless of their gender or race
Cheer up my momma too, lord
Asking for support and cheering up for one's own mother, who might be going through a hard time
Cheer up my father, let me say
Requesting everyone to help uplift one's own father's spirits
I know it won't be long
Believing firmly that change and better days are coming
That change has got to come
Reinforcing the previous line and emphasizing that positive change is inevitable
That change has got to come
Repeating the message for emphasis and motivating listeners to keep the hope alive
And I know that it won't be long
Reiterating the belief that change is imminent and will arrive soon
We've been down in captivity (captivity) so long, so long
Acknowledging the long-lasting oppression and hardship that the African community has faced in the world
If we unite then we will be free (we will be free)
Explaining that coming together as a community is the key to liberation and freedom
so strong, so strong, come I want you to
Motivating people to stand strong, united and hopeful for a better future
Cheer up my (brothers) my sisters
Repeating the first line as a reminder that everyone is united in this struggle
(cheer up my sisters) let me say
Directly addressing sisters and requesting them to stay positive and encouraged
Cheer up my my my momma too, lord
Repeating the second line with more emphasis on the singer's own mother
Cheer up my father
The singer once again asks for support for their own father's well-being
Let me say, we've been down in captivity (captivity)
Repeating the eighth line, but this time with a more solemn tone
so long, so long
Reiterating the hardship, but this time with more pain and sadness in the tone
We unite we will be free (we will be free)
Repeating the ninth line with a stronger tone to motivate everyone to come together
so strong, so strong
Repeating the tenth line, but this time with even more strength and encouragement
Cheer up my my my my my my brother
Highlighting the singer's own brother and asking for their support and positivity
(cheer up my sister) cheer up my sisters
Believing in the power of sisters to support each other and motivating them to stay hopeful
(cheer up my momma) my momma too lord
Asking for more support and positivity for the artist's own mother
(cheer up my) my father
Once again, requesting that the listeners help uplift the artist's own father's spirits
And I, I, I
Ending the song with a note of hope and belief that positive change is coming.
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@amandairenepietra2341
No me canso de escucharlos me hace bien escuchar su musica los marley son lo mas
@bk12dozze88
Coisa linda de ouvir
@vibrantnaturalliving1911
This song deserves much more recognition I wish it was a lot longer
@benmacdui9328
Play it on repeat then.
@vibrantnaturalliving1911
@Ben MacDui hahahah I do !
@shabbawank
embrace what we have
@cfredotube
And i know that it wont be long
@rafaelhonatel
Pedrada ❤️❤️❤️
@localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ Luke 6:27
@chrismarley8040
💚💛❤️ 🇧🇷🇯🇲