Jamaica
Four Four Lyrics
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And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reach Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swaying to and fro
I must declare, my heart is there
Tho' I've been from Maine to Mexico
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
--- Instrumental ---
Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bare
Ackey rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
But, I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston...
The lyrics to Four Four's "Jamaica" depict the singer's experience visiting the island of Jamaica and the sadness that comes with leaving behind a love interest in Kingston town. The opening lines paint a picture of a lively, carefree atmosphere, where the nights are "gay" (meaning festive) and the sun shines daily on the mountain top. The singer took a trip on a sailing ship and stopped in Jamaica, where he found laughter and dancing girls, and declares that his heart is there, even though he's traveled as far as Maine to Mexico. However, the song takes a bittersweet turn as the singer reveals that he has to leave Jamaica and the little girl he's fallen in love with in Kingston town. The final lines repeat this sentiment, expressing the singer's sorrow at having to depart from someone who has captured his heart.
Overall, "Jamaica" is a nostalgic tribute to the beauty and spirit of Jamaica, but also a mournful reflection on the pain of leaving someone behind. The song taps into the universal feeling of longing for a place and a person that we've had to leave behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the way where the nights are gay
In the area where the nights are lively and full of fun
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
The sun shines every day on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
I went on a journey by sailing on a ship
And when I reach Jamaica I made a stop
When I arrived in Jamaica, I stopped for a while
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Unfortunately, I have to leave now
Won't be back for many a day
I won't be returning for a long time
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am feeling low and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to leave a girl I care about in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
There are sounds of laughter all around
And the dancing girls swaying to and fro
The girls are dancing and moving back and forth
I must declare, my heart is there
I have to admit that my heart is in Jamaica
Tho' I've been from Maine to Mexico
Even though I have traveled from Maine to Mexico
Down at the market you can hear
You can hear the market commotion
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bare
Ladies shout while carrying things on their heads
Ackey rice, salt fish are nice
Ackee rice and salt fish are tasty
And the rum is fine any time of year
Rum is good to drink at any time of the year
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am still feeling low and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to leave the girl I care about in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
My mood has not improved
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I still had to leave the girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am still feeling down and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston...
I had to leave the girl behind and my sentence trails off
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