No Woman No Cry
Bossa n' Marley Lyrics

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No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry

Said - said - said: I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
Oba - obaserving the 'ypocrites

As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I seh

No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears:
No, woman, no cry

Said - said - said: I remember when-a we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire lights
As it was logwood burnin' through the nights
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone, I mean:
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right!
I said, everything's gonna be all right-a!
Everything's gonna be all right!
Everything's gonna be all right, now!
Everything's gonna be all right!

So, woman, no cry
No - no, woman - woman, no cry
Woman, little sister, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry

I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire lights
As it was logwood burnin' through the nights
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone:

No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry
Woman, little darlin', say don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry

Eh! (Little darlin', don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry

Little sister, don't shed no tears!
No, woman, no cry.)

Overall Meaning

The song "No Woman, No Cry" by Bossa n' Marley is a song about reminiscing the past and reflecting on the good times shared with friends. The singer recalls sitting with friends in the government yard in Trenchtown, Jamaica, observing the hypocrites and mingling with the good people. He talks about the good friends they have lost along the way, but stresses that in this great future, we can't forget our past. The chorus repeats the phrase "No woman, no cry," which means that when a man is strong, he does not cry, and it is suggested as an encouragement to women to not cry as well. The singer assures his little sister and all the women that everything is going to be alright and asks them not to shed any tears.

The song is a representation of Jamaica's history and culture. It is a tribute to the people of Trenchtown, the singer's hometown, and the working-class community in Jamaica. The song is also a homage to the strength, resilience, and spirit of Jamaican women, who have been through a lot of trials and hardships. The song has become an anthem for many women worldwide, inspiring them to stand up for themselves and not to succumb to societal pressures.

Line by Line Meaning

No, woman, no cry
No need to cry, woman

Said - said - said: I remember when we used to sit In the government yard in Trenchtown
I recall the times we used to sit in the government yard in Trenchtown

Oba- obaserving the 'ypocrites As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Observing hypocrites interact with the good people we met

Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost Along the way In this great future, you can't forget your past So dry your tears, I seh
We've made good friends but lost some along the way. In a promising future, one must not forget their past. Dry your tears.

No, woman, no cry
No need to cry, woman

'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears: No, woman, no cry
Hey there, little darling, do not cry. No need to cry, woman.

Said - said - said: I remember when-a we used to sit In the government yard in Trenchtown And then Georgie would make the fire lights As it was logwood burnin' through the nights Then we would cook cornmeal porridge Of which I'll share with you My feet is my only carriage So I've got to push on through
Again, I recall when we used to sit in Trenchtown, where Georgie would start a fire using logwood that burnt all night, and we cooked cornmeal porridge. I will share with you what I have, and I must press on, using my feet as my only means of transport.

But while I'm gone, I mean: Everything's gonna be all right! Everything's gonna be all right! Everything's gonna be all right! Everything's gonna be all right! I said, everything's gonna be all right-a! Everything's gonna be all right! Everything's gonna be all right, now! Everything's gonna be all right!
While I am gone, I reassure you that everything will be good. No need to worry, everything's gonna be alright.

So, woman, no cry No - no, woman - woman, no cry Woman, little sister, don't shed no tears No, woman, no cry
Thus, woman, no tears. No, woman, do not cry, and my little sister, no need to shed tears.

Eh! (Little darlin', don't shed no tears! No, woman, no cry Little sister, don't shed no tears! No, woman, no cry.)
Hey, little darling, do not cry. No, woman, no need to cry, and my little sister, no need to shed tears.

Contributed by Lily E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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