Donaldson had been composing and recording since 1964. He rocketed to popularity in 1971 with his winning entry in the annual Jamaican Festival Song Competition, "Cherry Oh Baby". He went on to win the festival again in in 1977, 1978, 1984 and 1993. The "Cherry Oh Baby" has been very popular, and has been covered more than thirty times, including covers by The Rolling Stones and UB40.
Love of the Common People
Eric Donaldson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WATER IN THE MILK FROOM THE HOLES IN THE ROOF WHEN THE RAIN CAME THROUGH
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
TEARS FROM YOUR LITTLE SISTER,
CRYING CAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE A DRESS BUT A PATCH OH POOR LITTLE GIRL
BUT WHAT DO YOU KNOW SHE'LL GET BY
AND SHE WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE,
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN,
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN
IT'S A GOOD THING YOU DON'T HAVE A BUS FARE
IT WILL FALL THROUGH THE HOLES IN YOUR POCKET AND YOU LOOSE IT TO THE SNOW AND THE GROUND
YOU GOT TO WALK INTO TOWN TO FIND A JOB
TRYING TO KEEP YOUR HANDS WARM
BUT THE HOLES IN YOUR SHOES AND THE SNOW COMES THROUGH BOY CHILLS YOU TO THE BONE
I SAY YOU BETTER GO HOME WHERE YOU'LL BE WARM
AND YOU WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN
DADDY'S GONNA BUY YOU TWINKLE TWINKLE
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN,...SHE CAN, SHE CAN SHE CANNNN
LIVING ON DREAMS AINT EASY
THE CLOTHES UNDERNEATH
THE TIGHTER THEY FIT AND THE CHILL STAY AWAY
YOU GOT TO PUT ON YOUR STRIDE FAMILY PRIDE
YOU KNOW THAT FAITH IS YOUR FOUNDATION
WITH A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE AND A WARM CONVERSATION ALL OVER THE PLACE
I SAY YOU BETTER GO HOME
WHERE YOU'LL BE STRONG
AND YOU WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN
DADDY'S GONNA BUY YOU TWINKLE TWINKLE
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN...
Eric Donaldson's song "Love of the Common People" is a touching reflection of the struggles faced by families living in poverty. When the family has nothing but free food tickets, and cannot keep the rain out of their home, it is difficult to see hope for the future. A little girl's tears, caused by not having a dress to wear, emphasize the utter poverty of the family. However, despite the harsh conditions, what is most important is the resilience and love of the family. They support each other and find joy in their love for one another. The father's promise to buy his daughter a Twinkle Twinkle and the mother's love until she can, although seemingly small comforts, solidify the idea that these simple things can mean the world to those who have nothing else.
The lyrics continue by emphasizing the difficulties of finding a job in such poverty. The song calls on the person suffering to go home where it is warm, indicating that sometimes home is the only source of solace during difficult times. The idea is that the person should hold onto the love of their family and community, as well as their own faith, to withstand the trials of living in poverty.
Overall, the song shows that it is possible to find joy and love even in the most difficult and impoverished circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
LIVING ON FREE FOOD TICKET,
Surviving on food assistance without financial stability
WATER IN THE MILK FROOM THE HOLES IN THE ROOF WHEN THE RAIN CAME THROUGH
The roof is so weak that water seeps through cracks to mix with milk kept in the house
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
This question implies a sense of helplessness in the face of the given circumstances
TEARS FROM YOUR LITTLE SISTER,
The young sister is sad and crying due to hardship and lack of resources
CRYING CAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE A DRESS BUT A PATCH OH POOR LITTLE GIRL
The sister is crying because she doesn't have a decent dress to wear and has to make do with a poor, patched one
BUT WHAT DO YOU KNOW SHE'LL GET BY
Despite the difficult situation, the sister will persevere
AND SHE WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE,
She derives her strength and fortitude from the solidarity and compassion of ordinary people around her
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN,
A father's love and support helps his children smile and feel secure despite the hardships they face
DADDY'S GONNA BUY YOU TWINKLE TWINKLE
The father will do what he can to provide comfort and joy to his children even in tough times, like buying them toys
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN
The mother will always show her love and care for her children, even when resources are scarce
IT'S A GOOD THING YOU DON'T HAVE A BUS FARE
Traveling by bus is not possible due to lack of money or resources
IT WILL FALL THROUGH THE HOLES IN YOUR POCKET AND YOU LOOSE IT TO THE SNOW AND THE GROUND
Even if they had money for bus fare, they couldn't keep it safe in their pockets because of the holes and harsh weather
YOU GOT TO WALK INTO TOWN TO FIND A JOB
Walking is the only option for finding work due to lack of transportation
TRYING TO KEEP YOUR HANDS WARM
The harsh weather makes it difficult to keep warm while searching for work
BUT THE HOLES IN YOUR SHOES AND THE SNOW COMES THROUGH BOY CHILLS YOU TO THE BONE
The holes in the shoes make it hard to keep feet warm, and the snow chills the person deeply
I SAY YOU BETTER GO HOME WHERE YOU'LL BE WARM
Going home is the better option for warmth and comfort in tough weather conditions
AND YOU WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE
Despite the challenges, support and care from people around them provide strength and hope
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN
The love and support of a family member can bring joy and resilience to difficult situations
DADDY'S GONNA BUY YOU TWINKLE TWINKLE
The father will show his love and care, even through small gestures like buying a toy for his child
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN,...SHE CAN, SHE CAN SHE CANNNN
The mother's love never wavers and provides hope and comfort in difficult times.
LIVING ON DREAMS AINT EASY
Living without financial stability and comfort is a constant struggle, but dreams and aspirations provide hope
THE CLOTHES UNDERNEATH
The clothes worn underneath may not be sufficient to provide warmth and comfort
THE TIGHTER THEY FIT AND THE CHILL STAY AWAY
Wearing clothes that fit snugly can help keep the cold out and maintain warmth
YOU GOT TO PUT ON YOUR STRIDE FAMILY PRIDE
It's important to keep one's head up and maintain a sense of dignity and pride even in tough circumstances
YOU KNOW THAT FAITH IS YOUR FOUNDATION
Faith in oneself, one's family, and one's community can provide the strength and resilience to keep going
WITH A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE AND A WARM CONVERSATION ALL OVER THE PLACE
Amidst the hardship, the warmth of love and kind conversations from people around provide comfort and support
I SAY YOU BETTER GO HOME WHERE YOU'LL BE STRONG
Going home can provide a sense of comfort and strength to face the challenges ahead
AND YOU WILL LIVE IN THE LOVE OF A COMMON PEOPLE
Despite the challenges, solidarity and support from common people can provide the strength and hope to persevere
SMILES FROM THE HEART OF A FAMILY MAN
The love and support of a family member can bring joy and resilience to difficult situations
DADDY'S GONNA BUY YOU TWINKLE TWINKLE
The father will show his love and care, even through small gestures like buying a toy for his child
MUMMY'S GONNA LOVE TILL AS MUCH AS SHE CAN...
The mother's love never wavers and provides hope and comfort in difficult times.
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ludsco4034
Living on free food ticket
Water in the milk
From the holes in the roof
When the rain came through
What can you do?
Oooh oooh oooh-ooh
Tears from your little sister
Crying 'cause
She doesn't have a dress
Without a patch or a party to go
What do you know?
She'll get by
For she's living
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you
'Til as much as she can
It's a good thing you don't have bus fare
It would fall through the holes in your pocket
And you'd lose it
In the snow on the ground
You gotta walk into town to find a job
Trying to keep your hands warm
But the holes in your shoe
And the snow comes through
Boy, it chills you to the bone
I said, you'd better go home where you'll be warm
And you will live
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you
'Til as much as she can
She caaan!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
She can!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
Living on dreams ain't easy
The closer the knits, the tighter the fit
And the chills stay away
You got to take them in strides, family pride
You know that, faith is your foundation
With a whole lot of love
And a warm conversation, man don't forget the place
I say, you better go home
You'll be strong
And you will live
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you just
'Til as much as she can
She caaan!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
She can!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
Love to all
@r.kconstruction5854
I remember my uncle with this song we used to play it together.rest easy Abu shall play this till I die also
@stephenmartin8988
This song bring tears to my eyes.................so much memories of my childhood.
@ludsco4034
Living on free food ticket
Water in the milk
From the holes in the roof
When the rain came through
What can you do?
Oooh oooh oooh-ooh
Tears from your little sister
Crying 'cause
She doesn't have a dress
Without a patch or a party to go
What do you know?
She'll get by
For she's living
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you
'Til as much as she can
It's a good thing you don't have bus fare
It would fall through the holes in your pocket
And you'd lose it
In the snow on the ground
You gotta walk into town to find a job
Trying to keep your hands warm
But the holes in your shoe
And the snow comes through
Boy, it chills you to the bone
I said, you'd better go home where you'll be warm
And you will live
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you
'Til as much as she can
She caaan!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
She can!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
Living on dreams ain't easy
The closer the knits, the tighter the fit
And the chills stay away
You got to take them in strides, family pride
You know that, faith is your foundation
With a whole lot of love
And a warm conversation, man don't forget the place
I say, you better go home
You'll be strong
And you will live
In the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of a family man
Daddy's gonna buy you twinkle-twinkle
Mommy's gonna love you just
'Til as much as she can
She caaan!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
She can!
She caaan!
She caaa-aaaaa-aan!
Love to all
@yusifsulemana8498
Very well
@mussamdoe4619
Much love
@MrSalahedien
Who wrote the song...Eric or Nicky Thomas
@okwuosaononye7879
Great lyrics!...+ nostalgic feelings...a good rendition by Eric Donaldson.
@user-eu4od6du5l
Eric Donaldson's reagae has a different taste and very soothing for the ear. ❤ Love for the common people❤❤❤❤
@user-yf2hc9jh5l
beautiful song ... my dad used to song this ALL the time,bring back the good ol' days
@Avifrictv1
Watch your Kisungu