The actual recording of the track, at Dynamic Sounds, was filmed for inclusion in the movie. Cliff wrote the melody, and improvised the lyrics. The musicians were Gladstone Anderson (piano), Winston Wright (organ), Winston Grennan (drums), Linford "Hux" Brown (lead guitar), Ranford "Ranny Bop" Williams (rhythm guitar), and Clifton "Jackie" Jackson (bass).
The song was ranked #341 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's The 660 Songs Which Shaped Rock & Roll.
The Harder They Come
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you're born and when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine And then the harder they come
The harder they'll fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
The harder they'll fall, one and all
Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord
They know not what they've done
'Cause as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they'll fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
Harder they'll fall, one and all, yeah
Ooh, yeah, ooh yeah
Whoa, yeah, oh yeah
And I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And then the harder they come
The harder they'll fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
Harder they'll fall, one and all
Hey, the harder they come
The harder they'll fall one and all
What I say, now? what I say, now?
All
All
What I say, now? what I say? one time
the harder they come
Harder they'll fall, one and all
Ooh, the harder they come
The harder they'll fall, one and all
The lyrics to Jimmy Cliff's iconic song "The Harder They Come" speak to the struggles of the working class and oppressed individuals who strive for a better life in the face of adversity. The opening lines, "Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky, waiting for me when I die, but between the day you're born and when you die, they never seem to hear even your cry", likely refers to the idea of a reward for good behavior in the afterlife that offers little comfort in the face of daily hardships.
However, the song also offers a message of perseverance and resistance against such oppression. Referring to those who try to bring him down, Cliff sings, "Well, the oppressors are trying to keep me down, trying to drive me underground, and they think that they have got the battle won. I say forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done." The artist chooses to fight for what he wants, even if it's a difficult path, singing, "And I keep on fighting for the things I want, though I know that when you're dead you can't." In other words, he'd rather live a life of meaning and struggle than be controlled or enslaved.
The chorus provides the most significant take away from the lyrics, driving home the idea that the harder someone pushes down or oppresses another, the harder they will come back with strength and resilience. "The harder they come, the harder they'll fall, one and all," Cliff sings, emphasizing a message of hope and the ability to rise again from difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, oh yeah
The singer is expressing enthusiasm and agreement with what he is about to say
Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky
The singer is referring to a religious idea of an afterlife where rewards are promised
Waiting for me when I die
The singer is skeptical about this idea and suggests that it is only a promise for after death
But between the day you're born and when you die
The singer is emphasizing the time between birth and death, suggesting that one's life must be lived in this time
They never seem to hear even your cry
The singer is suggesting that life is difficult and often unfair, where people's problems are ignored or unheard
So as sure as the sun will shine
The singer acknowledges the inevitability of the future
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
The singer believes that they deserve something good in their life
And then the harder they come
The singer suggests that the more difficult the situation, the more determined they are to succeed
The harder they'll fall, one and all
The singer believes that anyone who opposes them will eventually be defeated
The oppressors are trying to keep me down
The singer believes that someone is trying to lower their standing in society
Trying to drive me underground
The singer believes that someone is actively trying to harm them or get rid of them
And they think that they have got the battle won
The singer suggests that their opponents believe they are winning
I say forgive them Lord
The singer acknowledges a higher power and suggests that they should forgive their opponents
They know not what they've done
The singer suggests that their opponents do not understand the harm they are causing
And I keep on fighting for the things I want
The singer emphasizes their determination to fight for themselves and their beliefs
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
The singer acknowledges the inevitability of death
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
The singer suggests that they would rather be dead and free than alive but oppressed
Than living as a puppet or a slave
The singer suggests that they are being forced to do things they do not want to do
Hey, the harder they come
The singer repeats the chorus to emphasize their belief that determination will lead to success
Harder they'll fall, one and all
The singer repeats their belief that anyone who opposes them will eventually be defeated
What I say, now? what I say, now?
The singer repeats their message to emphasize their point
All
The singer concludes the song with a final repetition of their message
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jimmy Cliff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DavisEvansHealy
I am really saddened that I had to delete racist comments for the first time since uploading this track 11 years ago.
We are dealing with complex issues regarding power around the world that social media has reduced into polarised 100 character shit slinging matches where there is no discourse.
Every comment that labels a murdered man as a criminal, or calls for the death of all police just further divides us and over simplifies key issues that deserve better.
Listen, appreciate, empathise, talk and we will move forward, otherwise we will continue to be puppets and slaves.
@letitflow1120
the propagandists tryin to keep us down, trying to drive us underground, and they think that they've got the battle won, i say forgive them Lord they know not what they've done
And I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
amen brother
@420bluegirl
@@letitflow1120 AMEN
@seancallander8278
Hard core, but I appreciate what your saying
@Act2cam
The harder they come...
@shawnwilson1514
I dont care what race, creed,or religion you are, but if you don't feel this deep down in your soul then you don't have one!
@sharpskinhead6977
As a man who struggled with depression and madness along the life, trying to keep myself righteous while dreaming about liberty and social justice for everyone, i must say this song helped me endure some dark episodes of my life. They came hard and harder they fell. thank you Jimmy Cliff, and thank you Jamaica for all the reggae.
@AdamsApple1
it's getting better <3 Yahuah's got you!
@cringystingy8025
Lmao wtf
@qtpysusie459
You too, eh?