The Harder They Come
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics


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Oh yeah, oh yeah
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

Overall Meaning

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
Written by: Jimmy Cliff

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Iwe Okeoghene Blessing


on No. 1 Rip-Off Man

Chorus
One more, one more, one more, one more
Verse
I got one more song I must sing
Ting-aline, freedom ring
I got one more song I must sing
A simple song, so sing along
Repeat chorus

I got one more story to tell
Mystery, my story
I got one more story to tell
True story, my glory
Repeat chorus

I got one more arrow in my bow
As I let it go, just watch my flow
I got one more arrow in my bow
To the target, and it's a hit
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Hey baby don't you go away
I want you to listen
What I have to say
It's not over, till it's over
I'm a natural lover
Hey mister, get out of my way
This is not no time to play
Hey mister get out of my way
I got to live for another day, All we got
Chorus
One more(life to live)
One more(love to give)
One more(cliff to climb)
One more(it's my time)

I got one more bullet in my gun
And I can't run, till the deal is done
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I won't run, till the deal is done
Repeat chorus
I got one more shot at the prize
So don't be surprised, open your eyes
I got one more shot at the goal
Straight from my soul
And I'm in control

Repeat chorus till fade

Iwe Okeoghene Blessing


on No. 1 Rip-Off Man

Rip off man

Edwin Nyirenda


on Brother

Brother - Jimmy cliff

Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed

Why you minimize me – brother
Oh brother

Joseph and his brothers – left Canaan
They saw the little brother – in Egypt
They both had the same cause and the same purpose
They come about the same hurt that they got back the most

Do you understand me – my brother
Oh brother

Brother (X4)

Let us help the fallen – sister
She will love to call you – mister
Do you see the need for unity
To bring about respect and dignity

Don’t you understand me – my brother
Brother

Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother

Is it the things that your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – my brother
Oh brother

Are you my brother now hey hey yeah oh yeah hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
Are you my brother now hey hey hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
You don’t wanna understand me now oh brother
Oh brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother

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