For The Babies
Damian Marley Lyrics

This is real, this is real
The subject of the song is a serious issue that deserves attention and recognition.

Now I see them giving the woman abortion to kill another baby
The singer has witnessed the act of women getting abortions to eliminate their babies.

Miscarriage and misfortune and premature crack baby
The babies are exposed to misfortune and the risk of being born premature or addicted to crack.

Strength of Ras Tafari I'm hoping someday maybe
The singer prays for the strength to bring change to the situation.

They don't obey parents, maybe they will obey me
The singer wishes for the authority and influence to make an impact on the youth.

Future for the babies
The song is about the bleak future of the unborn children.

Hopes for the babies
The singer doesn't give up hope for a better life for the babies.

Tommorrow for the babies
The focus is on the future of the children.

No sorrow for the babies
The singer doesn't want the children to experience any more pain or sorrow.

Babies having babies
The song talks about the phenomenon where young mothers give birth to more children.

Raising our babies
The song highlights the responsibility of raising children.

All of these young ladies
The song specifically addresses the young mothers.

Give them thanks and praises
The singer urges people to appreciate and acknowledge the mothers' efforts.

How long can she take it?
The singer empathizes with the struggles of the young mothers.

Dreams are full of 'maybes',
The uncertainty and unpredictability of the future affects the mothers' dreams and aspirations.

Will she ever make it?
The song expresses concern for the mothers' survival in the tough circumstances.

Hustles on a daily
The mothers have to work hard every day to provide for their children.

In the club she shake it, strip down 'till she naked
The mothers often have to resort to stripping to make ends meet.

Don't ever mistake it, Much too real to fake it
The situation is too real and serious to be ignored or undermined.

Need it then she'll take it
The mothers often resort to desperate measures to get what they need.

She'll do it for the babies
The mothers are willing to do whatever it takes to provide for their children.

A mother's love is sacred
The song recognizes and honors the love and sacrifice of mothers.

Now you don't you ever fail me
The singer demands that the mothers do whatever it takes to not let the babies down.

Is there no other option than adoption for you babies
The song questions if adoption is the only solution for unwanted babies.

You're raffling and jacketing and auctioning your babies
The mothers are giving up their babies to strangers by getting money from them.

Cowards play the game thing
The song condemns the men who abandon their children.

Fathers do the brave thing
The song speaks of the courage fathers must display to support and raise their offspring.

And that's participating
Being present and involved in the children's lives is an essential responsibility of a father.

He keeps on concentrating
The father focuses and puts in all of his effort into being a responsible dad.

There is no debating
The importance of fathers' presence and involvement is not up for discussion.

No running away thing
Fathers must not abandon their children.

A new life is awakening, From his ejaculating,
The responsibility of fatherhood starts at the moment of conception.

It's in the oven baking
The baby is being formed and nurtured in the mother's womb.

Takes two for the making
Both the father and the mother are responsible for the existence of the child.

He's right there through the cravings
The father is present and supportive for the mother's difficult pregnancy cravings.

And early morning waking
The father shares the responsibility of taking care of the child's needs.

School and educating
The song emphasizes the importance of educating children.

Sports and recreating, Karate and ballet thing
Children should be encouraged to practice, sports, and other activities that interest them.

Teenager of today thing
The song is addressing the youth of the present.

Fathers still relating, still communicating
The father-child relationship should remain strong and open.

And they'll always embrace him
The father should be a consistent source of emotional support for the child.

Cause they cannot replace him
The love, care, and presence of the father in a child's life is irreplaceable.

And always do your very best to keep a promise to your babies
Parents should be dedicated and commit to providing and caring for their children.

And if you can't be good, at least be honest to your babies
Parents should prioritize honesty and transparency with their children, even when things are difficult.

History of the babies
The song addresses the history of the troubled and unfortunate lives of the children.

Beginning of the ages
The subject of the song is as old and prevalent as the beginning of time.

You're flipping thru the pages
The history of children exposed to poverty, violence, and hardship is repeating itself.

And up and thru the 80's
The song reminisces the difficult past of the children's plight.

Some are gang related, Drug affiliated
The children fall into gangs and drug addiction because of the unfavorable circumstances they are born into.

Some intoxicated, Headed for the snake pit
The children's lives are marred by unhealthy relationships and substances.

And Papa's locked in cages
The fathers are in prison or serving time making life tougher on the struggling families.

And Mama's lacking wages
The mothers face financial difficulties.

And this what they're faced with, upon a daily basis
The children are exposed to the harsh realities and struggles of their family every day.

Bleaching out dem faces
The children are changing their appearances to look more white.

Running from dem races
The children are trying to flee from race-related issues.

Shooting up them places
The children resort to fights and violence.

Killing other babies
The situation causes a vicious circle of abuse and pain in the children's lives.

As bitter as the taste is, And words can not explain it
The situation is indescribable and overwhelming.

Just walk the narrow pavement
The only path forward is to face the harsh conditions head-on.

And speak of love not hatred
The song urges the listeners to respond with compassion and love instead of hatred and anger.