I'm Leaving
Don Carlos Lyrics


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Whoa, my-my-my-my-my
Whoa oh, yes

I am leaving the first thing in the morning
I've got to pack by belonging
I can't take this life of living, no way
I've got to have the spot 'cause this place is too hot
I wanna be where it's quiet
All the the youths out in the street just a make riot
Woiie

But I say, "Don't do that, don't do that
Youth-man, don't make riot"
I say, "Don't do that, don't do that
Youth-man, don't make riot"

I am leaving on a one way ticket
I won't be coming back
Woiie, woiie
Leaving on a one way ticket
I've got to have the spot
Woiie
That's why I'm leaving, leaving
The first thing in the morning

(.)
Whoa, my-my-my-my-my, whoa oh, oh
Don't do that, don't do that
Oh no

I am leaving the first thing in the morning
I've got to pack by belonging
I can't take this life of living, no way
I've got to have the spot, 'cause this place is too hot
I wanna be where it's quiet
The youths out in the street just a make riot
Woiie

And I said, "Don't do that, don't do that
No, no, youth-man, don't do that"
"Don't do that, don't you do that
No, no, youth-man, don't do that"

Leaving... the first the in the morning
I wanna pack by belonging
I'm leaving, I'm leaving, I'm leaving
Yes, I've got to have the spot, this place is too hot
I wanna be where it's quiet
I can't take, how the youths dem a just a buss shot
Woiie, woiie
Leaving, leaving, the first the in the morning
Leaving, leaving, the first the in the morning

Whoa, my-my-my-my-my

I said, "Don't do that, don't do that
No, no, youth-man"
"Don't do that, don't do that
No, no, youth-man"

Leaving the first thing in the morning
I've got to pack by belonging
I can't take this life of living, no way
I've got to have the spot, 'cause this place is too hot
I wanna be where it's quiet
'Cause the youths out in the street just a make riot
Oh, well

"Don't do that, don't do that
No, no, youth-man, don't do that"
I said, "Don't do that, don't do that
No, no, youth-man, don't do that"





I've got a one way ticket...

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Leaving" by Don Carlos is a reggae classic that talks about the struggles of life and the desire to leave behind a place that is too hot to handle. The song is about a man who is leaving his current situation because he cannot handle the pressure and the violence that is going on around him. He wants to leave and find peace and quiet somewhere else, away from the chaos and the riots that are happening on the streets. The singer talks about his determination to leave, even if it means never coming back, and he urges the youths to stop the violence and the rioting, and to move on with their lives.


The song's lyrics are powerful and provide a clear message about the need for peace and harmony in society. The singer's voice is soulful and emotive, conveying a sense of longing and sadness, but also of inner strength and determination. The song's melody is simple but effective, with a catchy chorus that sticks in the listener's mind long after the song is over.


In terms of interesting facts, "I'm Leaving" by Don Carlos was released on his 1982 album "Day to Day Living". The album was produced by Bunny Lee and featured musicians such as Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and Earl "Chinna" Smith. The song was also released as a single in the same year and became a hit on the Jamaican charts. The lyrics to the song were written by Don Carlos himself, and the melody was composed by the in-house band that played on the album.


Line by Line Meaning

Whoa, my-my-my-my-my
Expression of frustration


I am leaving the first thing in the morning
I will depart very early tomorrow


I've got to pack by belonging
I need to pack up my belongings


I can't take this life of living, no way
I cannot tolerate this way of life


I've got to have the spot 'cause this place is too hot
I need to vacate this location because it's too dangerous


I wanna be where it's quiet
I desire a peaceful place


All the youths out in the street just a make riot
All the young people in the street are causing a disturbance


Woiie
Expression of frustration/pain


But I say, "Don't do that, don't do that
But I advise, "Stop doing that, stop doing that


Youth-man, don't make riot"
Young man, stop causing a disturbance


I am leaving on a one way ticket
I am departing permanently


I won't be coming back
I will never return


That's why I'm leaving, leaving
That's why I am departing


The first thing in the morning
Very early tomorrow


Whoa, my-my-my-my-my, whoa oh, oh
Expression of frustration


Don't do that, don't do that
Stop doing that, stop doing that


Oh no
Expression of disappointment/fear


Leaving... the first the in the morning
Departing very early tomorrow


I wanna pack by belonging
I need to pack my belongings


I'm leaving, I'm leaving, I'm leaving
I am departing


Yes, I've got to have the spot, this place is too hot
I need to vacate this location because it's too dangerous


I can't take, how the youths dem a just a buss shot
I cannot bear the young people causing gunshots in the street


Woiie, woiie
Expression of frustration/pain


Leaving, leaving, the first the in the morning
Departing very early tomorrow


Whoa, my-my-my-my-my
Expression of frustration


I said, "Don't do that, don't do that
I advise, "Stop doing that, stop doing that


No, no, youth-man"
No, no, young man


I've got a one way ticket...
I have a ticket for a permanent departure




Writer(s): Euvin Spencer

Contributed by Gabriella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

TM°

💥💥💥❤

Wise Duncan

A big tune I know

Malik yayo

Can't take this life of living..oih carlos

Jedidah Kaseki

Fussing and fighting among ourselves

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