My People
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics


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Uhu hey hey now common now hey ye ye ye ye

My people are not your people
And your people are not my people

And my people are not your people
Oh no
Oh no o
Oh no

I loved you because i was lonely
Wondering and also lost
And in order to have a good future
I was searching to find my past
Wherever thou goest i wud go
But i found out your greatest seeing is to know

My people are not your people
And your people are not my people

And my people are not your people
Oh no
Oh no o
Oh no

I knew you when i was a drifter
Suffering with no connection
You knew me more than i knew myself
But you wont point me in my direction
I was in the dark you were in the light
Now i can tell day from night

My people are not your people
And your people are not my people

And my people are not your people
Oh no
Oh no o
Oh no

My people are not your people
And your people are not my people

And my people are just my people
Oh yea
Oh yea
Oh yea

My people are not your people
And your people are just your people

And my people are just my people

And your people are just your people





I don't wanna mix with your people
My people aint your people

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's song "My People" convey a message of cultural identity and the importance of recognizing and respecting differences. The repetition of "My people are not your people" reinforces the idea that each culture is unique and cannot be understood or categorized by those who are not a part of it. The song also touches on the idea of finding oneself through one's roots and history. The lines "I was searching to find my past" and "you knew me more than I knew myself, but you won't point me in my direction" suggest that the singer feels lost and disconnected from their culture and needs guidance to reconnect with it.


The chorus of the song, with its simple, catchy melody and repetition, serves to emphasize the central message of the song. The use of the phrase "Oh no" adds a sense of urgency and seriousness to the message. The verses, on the other hand, tell a story of personal growth and realization, with the singer discovering their cultural identity and rejecting the influences of those who do not understand or respect it.


Overall, "My People" is a powerful statement on the importance of cultural identity and the need to recognize and respect differences. It encourages listeners to embrace their own cultural heritage and to stand up against those who would seek to diminish or erase it.


Line by Line Meaning

My people are not your people
We are not the same, we come from different backgrounds and cultures


And your people are not my people
You have your own community and tribe, and it is not the same as mine


Oh no
I am stating a fact here, there is no need for argument


Oh no o
I am emphasizing my point, this is an important issue to me


I loved you because i was lonely
I felt alone and vulnerable, and you provided comfort and companionship


Wondering and also lost
I was unsure about my place in the world and lacked direction


And in order to have a good future
I knew that in order to be successful and happy, I needed to find my roots


I was searching to find my past
I needed to understand my history and where I came from to move forward


Wherever thou goest i wud go
I was willing to follow you anywhere at the time, because I didn't know where else to turn


But i found out your greatest seeing is to know
I now realize that you had your own agenda, and it was not in line with helping me


I knew you when i was a drifter
I met you when I was wandering aimlessly and unsure of myself


Suffering with no connection
I felt isolated and alone, with no sense of community or belonging


You knew me more than i knew myself
You had insight into who I was, perhaps more than I had insight into myself


But you wont point me in my direction
You were not interested in helping me find my way, you had your own agenda


I was in the dark you were in the light
I was lost and confused, while you seemed to be secure and self-assured


Now i can tell day from night
I have gained clarity and perspective, and can now distinguish between what is right and wrong for me


My people are just my people
I am proud of my community and heritage, and will defend it against those who do not understand it


Oh yea
I am expressing my conviction and belief in my people


And your people are just your people
You have the right to be proud of your own community and culture


I don't wanna mix with your people
I do not want to lose my identity or compromise my beliefs by being absorbed into your culture


My people aint your people
We are fundamentally different, and that is something that should be respected




Writer(s): Jimmy Cliff

Contributed by Hunter D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@John77764

Jimmy Cliff is an artist I have loved all my life because of tracks like: "house of exile", "hard road to travel", "foolish pride", and many more.

@monnatusa2653

me too...

@tanygarciacalvo5819

Me too✌

@johnnelson3884

every time i listen to jimmy cliff songs i feel like putting on my dancing shoes and rock the world

@ursulamarijancevic1457

😎 Jimmy at his best 💜💜💜

@ecclesiastedavid2135

Jimmy Cliff me plaît depuis les années 1985 j'écoute sa musique je suis une admiratrice je fais des karaoké je connais des chanson par cœur ❤️.

@iderakay2760

Great work thanks Jimmy Cliff

@joanosuagwu4098

Oh am lost in thoughts. Adoring music for ever

@roddylubela

WONDERFULL

@mamaneindia7672

Ah jimmy so memories

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