No Woman No Cry
Flavio Mendes Lyrics


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

I remember when we used to sit
In a government yard in trenchtown
Ob ob Observing the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we had
Oh, Good friends we've lost
Along the way
In this great future you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say

No woman no cry
No woman no cry

Little darling, don't shed no tears
No woman no cry

I remember when we use to sit
In the government yard in trenchtown
And then georgie would make the fire lights
As if was log would burnin' through the nights
Then we would cook corn meal porridge
Of which I'll share with you

My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on thru
But while I'm gone I need
Everything 's gonna be alright
Everything 's gonna be alright
Everything 's gonna be alright
Everything 's gonna be alright
No woman no cry
No woman no cry
No woman no cry
No woman no cry

Little darlin'
Don't shed no tears (I say)
No woman no cry

Little darlin'




Don't shed no tears
No woman no cry

Overall Meaning

The song "No Woman No Cry" by Flavio Mendes is a classic reggae track that is often interpreted as a message of hope and optimism amidst life's struggles. The song speaks of the memories of the singer and his friends sitting in a government yard in Trenchtown, observing the hypocrites and mourning the loss of their good friends along the way. Despite their hardships, the singer tells his listeners to dry their tears because in the future, they can't forget their past. The chorus, "No woman no cry," is often understood as a reassurance to women in particular that everything will be alright.


The lyrics also describe the simple pleasures of life in Trenchtown, such as cooking cornmeal porridge and making a fire at night. The singer states that he has to push on through life with his feet as his only carriage, but assures those he leaves behind that everything will be alright. The repetition of the chorus and the reassuring words of the singer create a sense of unity and solidarity, suggesting that everyone can take comfort in each other's company and support.


Line by Line Meaning

No woman no cry
Don't worry, women, everything is going to be alright.


I remember when we used to sit
I remember a time in the past when we would sit down together.


In a government yard in trenchtown
In an area of the town where the government provides housing.


Ob ob Observing the hypocrites
Watching the people who are pretending to be something that they're not.


As they would mingle with the good people we meet
As they try to pretend to be friendly with the regular people we come across.


Good friends we had
We had many good friends.


Oh, Good friends we've lost
Unfortunately, we've lost many of those good friends.


Along the way
Throughout our lives.


In this great future you can't forget your past
It's important to remember where you came from as you move towards a better future.


So dry your tears, I say
Stop crying and be strong.


Little darling, don't shed no tears
Sweetheart, please don't cry.


I remember when we use to sit
I recall how we used to spend time together.


And then georgie would make the fire lights
Georgie would light the fire.


As if was log would burnin' through the nights
The fire would burn like a log all night.


Then we would cook corn meal porridge
We would cook a porridge made with cornmeal.


Of which I'll share with you
Which I would happily share with you.


My feet is my only carriage
I have no vehicle other than my feet.


So I've got to push on thru
I must keep going on this journey, regardless.


But while I'm gone I need
But in my absence, I need.


Everything 's gonna be alright
Everything will be all right.


Little darlin'
My sweetheart.


Don't shed no tears (I say)
Stop crying, please.


No woman no cry
Don't worry, women, everything is going to be alright.




Writer(s): Carole King, Billy Mann

Contributed by Addison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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