One Drop
Gilberto Gil Lyrics


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Oo-oo-ooh, yea-ah. Wo-yoy! Wo-yoy! Wo-yoy! Wo-yoy-yoy-yoy!
Feel it in the one drop
And we'll still find time to rap
We're makin' the one stop,
The generation gap
Now feel this drumbeat
As it beats within,
Playin' a riddim,
Resisting against the system, ooh-wee!
I know Jah's never let us down
Pull your rights from wrong
(I know Jah would never let us down)
Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!
They made their world so hard (so hard)
Every day we got to keep on fighting (fighting)
They made their world so hard (so hard)
Every day the people are dyin' (dying), yeah!
(It dread, dread) For hunger (dread, dread) and starvation
(Dread, dread, dread, dread)
Lamentation (dread dread)
But read it in Revelation (dread, dread, dread, dread)
You'll find your redemption
And then you give us the teachings of His Majesty,
For we no want no devil philosophy
A you fe give us the teachings of His Majesty,
A we no want no devil philosophy

Feel it in the one drop
And we still find time to rap
We're making the one stop,
And we filling the gap
So feel this drumbeat
As it beats within
Playing a riddim, uh!
Fighting against ism and skism,

Singing, I know Jah's never let us down
Pull your rights from wrong
I know Jah's never let us down.
Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!
They made their world so hard
Every day (we got to keep on fighting), every day
They made their world so hard
Every day (the people are dying), eh!
(Dread, dread, it dread, dread) Oh, whoa! Make dem a go on so
(Dread, dread, it dread on dread) Ah, whoa!
(Dread, dread) I'll walk (it dread, dread)
Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, ah whoa!
(Dread, dread) Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, eh!
Give us the teachings of His Majesty, with a stick-up!
We no want no devil philosophy. Can you hear?




Give us the teachings of His Majesty,
For we no want no devil philosophy

Overall Meaning

Gilberto Gil's One Drop is a reggae song dominated by the drumbeat and rhythm that encourages listeners to nod their head to the beat while delivering a message of hope and resistance against the system. The lyrics suggest that there is a one-drop beat that unites people and helps fill in the gap created by a generation gap. This beat is a resounding message of resistance against the system and discrimination (ism and skism) and that fighting against them is necessary. Gil's faith and spirituality are present in his belief that Jah (God) has never let them down and that it is their responsibility to "pull your rights from wrong," meaning that they need to differentiate between what is right and wrong.


The song's theme revolves around the idea of inequality and the difficulties that come with choosing the right path. It talks about how the oppressive nature of the world has made things harder for everyone, leading to poverty, hunger, and starvation. The use of "dread, dread" in the song's chorus suggests a sense of fear or terror associated with the current situation while providing a rallying call to action. The lyrics focus on the need for spiritual guidance and teachings to help them navigate the system and resist it effectively. The song concludes by stating that they do not want any 'devil philosophy' but rather teachings of Jah's Majesty that will help them overcome and resist.


Line by Line Meaning

Feel it in the one drop
Sense the rhythm of the music and the unity it brings


And we'll still find time to rap
Despite the challenges we face, we will continue to communicate and express ourselves


We're making the one stop,
We are stopping at one place to come together


The generation gap
The division and difference between generations


Now feel this drumbeat
Feel the pulse of the music


As it beats within,
As it resonates within us


Playin' a riddim,
Creating a groove


Resisting against the system, ooh-wee!
Rejecting and fighting against the oppression and injustice of society


I know Jah's never let us down
I have faith that God will always protect and guide us


Pull your rights from wrong
Choose what is right and just, and fight against what is wrong and oppressive


(I know Jah would never let us down)
(Reinforcing that God will always be with us)


They made their world so hard (so hard)
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world


Every day we got to keep on fighting (fighting)
We must persist and resist every day


Every day the people are dyin' (dying), yeah!
People are suffering and dying every day because of the oppression of the powerful


(It dread, dread) For hunger (dread, dread) and starvation
(It is scary, scary) that people suffer from hunger and starvation


(Dread, dread, dread, dread)/Lamentation (dread dread)
(Scary, scary, scary, scary)/Grief and sorrow


But read it in Revelation (dread, dread, dread, dread)
Find hope in the book of Revelation in the Bible


You'll find your redemption
You will find salvation and liberation


And then you give us the teachings of His Majesty,
And then you share the wisdom and teachings of God


For we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful


A you fe give us the teachings of His Majesty,
You should share the wisdom and teachings of God with us


A we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want to hear or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful


And we still find time to rap
We will continue to communicate and express ourselves despite the challenges


We're making the one stop,
We are stopping at one place to come together


And we filling the gap
We are bridging the division and difference between generations


So feel this drumbeat
Sense the pulse of the music


As it beats within
As it resonates within us


Playing a riddim,
Creating a groove


Fighting against ism and skism,
Rejecting and fighting against any form of oppression and division


Singing, I know Jah's never let us down
Singing in faith that God will always protect and guide us


Pull your rights from wrong
Choose what is right and just, and fight against what is wrong and oppressive


I know Jah's never let us down.
Reinforcing that God will always be with us


They made their world so hard
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world


Every day (we got to keep on fighting), every day
We must persist and resist every day


They made their world so hard
Those in power have created a difficult, oppressive world


Every day (the people are dying), eh!
People are suffering and dying every day because of the oppression of the powerful


(Dread, dread, it dread, dread) Oh, whoa! Make dem a go on so
(Scary, scary, it is scary, scary) Oh, whoa! They continue to oppress and mistreat us


(Dread, dread, it dread on dread) Ah, whoa!
(Scary, scary, it is even scarier) Oh, whoa!


(Dread, dread) I'll walk (it dread, dread)
(Scary, scary) I will continue to move and fight on (it is scary, scary)


Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, ah whoa!
Oh, whoa! We intimidate and scare our oppressors


(Dread, dread) Ah, whoa! Frighten dem, eh!
(Scary, scary) Oh, whoa! We intimidate and scare them


Give us the teachings of His Majesty, with a stick-up!
Share the wisdom and teachings of God with force if necessary


We no want no devil philosophy. Can you hear?
We do not accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful. Do you understand?


Give us the teachings of His Majesty,
Share the wisdom and teachings of God with us


For we no want no devil philosophy
We do not want or accept any ideas or beliefs that are oppressive or harmful




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Beto Lopes

Gil, brocou nesse cd! Sei que Bob, é insubstituível mas...gil, mandou muito bem nesse trabalho!

Paolo Brama

What a brilliant cover of a marvellous song! Awesome

Pepa perico cover reggea rock instrumental

Tremendo casi perfecto 👏👏🎶🎶🎶🍻🏄‍♂️🌊😎

Ronaldo Estanislau

Brasil 2020, sofrendo com o sistema correto imposto por governantes e pessoas, mas vivendo uma vida de paz e compaixao que nao e compreendido por todos....vuva e ame os seus que esse e o proposito da vida......

Blanca Villanueva

Lo.maximo gil bendiciones por ser yi y por tu tan arte de cantar desde Peru

Thomas Porto

Bom dimaisss

Alda C

Amei

Régis FERNANDEZ

j'adore cette version!!!

Mateus Solto

Classic 🔥

juan pablo

The best intro!

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