Pearls
India.Arie & Dobet Gnahoré Lyrics


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There is a woman in Somalia
Scraping for pearls by the roadside
There is a force stronger than nature
Keeps her will alive

That is how she lives her life
She is dying to survive
I don't know what she's made of
But I would like to be that brain

She cries to the heavens above
There's a stone in my heart
She lives a life she didn't choose
And it hurts like brand new shoes
Yes, it hurts like brand new shoes
And it hurts like brand new shoes

There is a woman in Rwanda
The sun shows her no mercy
The same sky we lay under
It burns her to the bone

Long is afternoon shadows
It's gonna take her to get home
Each gray carefully wrapped up
Pearls for her little girl

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

She cries to the heavens above
There's a stone in my heart
She lives a life she didn't choose
And it hurts like brand new shoes
Yes, it hurts like brand new shoes
And it hurts like brand new shoes

There was a woman in Somalia
There was a woman in Rwanda
There was a woman in Sudan
There is a woman in a Congo
And she hurts like brand new shoes

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Ohhh
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
[African words sung]
Hallelujah, Hallelujah




Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Overall Meaning

The song "Pearls" by India.Arie is a powerful tribute to the women in African countries who struggle to survive every day. The lyrics describe women in Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan, and Congo who have to scrape for pearls on the roadside or endure the burning sun just to make ends meet. They live a life they did not choose and face hardships that hurt like brand new shoes. Despite all this, they cry to the heavens above and keep their will to survive alive. They are described as strong and resilient, and the singer wishes she could be as brave as them.


The soulful melody coupled with poignant lyrics evokes feelings of empathy and admiration for women who face adversity and yet remain unbroken. India.Arie uses her music to amplify the voices of those who are seldom heard and shines a light on the struggles of African women. The lyrics may be specific to African women, but the message of resilience and determination is universal, making the song relatable to anyone who has faced adversity.


Overall, "Pearls" is a powerful and moving song that sheds light on the struggles of African women and their strength and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

There is a woman in Somalia
India.Arie highlights the struggles of a woman living in Somalia, facing difficult circumstances.


Scraping for pearls by the roadside
The woman is doing everything she can to make ends meet, including picking up pearls by the roadside.


There is a force stronger than nature
Despite the difficult circumstances, the woman's willpower and determination keeps her going.


Keeps her will alive
The force helps her maintain her motivation and hope, despite the struggles she faces.


That is how she lives her life
The woman's life is a constant struggle, and she is forced to rely on her inner strength to survive.


She is dying to survive
The woman is in a constant fight for survival, with her life hanging in the balance.


I don't know what she's made of
The woman's strength and resilience are impressive and inspiring, even though India.Arie doesn't know the specifics of her situation.


But I would like to be that brain
India.Arie admires the woman's strength and wishes she could have that same level of determination and perseverance.


She cries to the heavens above
The woman feels helpless and calls out for help, hoping for some divine intervention.


There's a stone in my heart
India.Arie feels a deep sense of sadness and pain at the woman's situation.


She lives a life she didn't choose
The woman's circumstances are beyond her control, and she is forced to live a life she wouldn't have chosen for herself.


And it hurts like brand new shoes
The pain and discomfort of her situation is constant and overwhelming, like the discomfort of breaking in a new pair of shoes.


Yes, it hurts like brand new shoes
India.Arie emphasizes the woman's pain and the difficult nature of her circumstances.


There is a woman in Rwanda
India.Arie shifts her focus to another woman, this one living in Rwanda and facing different yet equally daunting circumstances.


The sun shows her no mercy
The woman is exposed to the harsh elements of the sun, and its unrelenting rays impact her life significantly.


The same sky we lay under
India.Arie highlights the contrast between the woman's reality and what most of us take for granted, like the sky above us.


It burns her to the bone
The intensity of the Rwandan sun takes a severe toll on the woman's body and well-being.


Long is afternoon shadows
The woman's day is long and arduous, with shadows slowly stretching as the day progresses.


It's gonna take her to get home
The woman faces a long and tiring journey home after a tough day, and the thought of it is daunting.


Each gray carefully wrapped up
The woman has to work hard to secure each pearl, and once she does, she wraps them carefully to keep them safe.


Pearls for her little girl
The woman is collecting these pearls to provide for her young daughter and ensure she has a better life.


Hallelujah, Hallelujah
India.Arie celebrates the strength and resilience of these women, and acknowledges their unwavering spirit and positivity.


Ohhh
India.Arie lets out a soft sound, perhaps in contemplation or admiration of these incredible women.


[African words sung]
The song incorporates African words, perhaps as a tribute to the women of Africa, and their incredible strength and perseverance.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Helen Adu, Andrew Hale

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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