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Lucky Dube (born August 3, 1964, died October 18, 2007) was a reggae musician from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was named Lucky because when he was born in poor health, and the doctors thought he would die. But he survived, so was named Lucky. In his youth, Lucky lived with many different family members, singing in bars and in church. He eventually formed a band with some friends, but they could not afford to purchase instruments. Eventually, Lucky wrote a play which he and his bandmates performed, earning enough money to buy a guitar. Their band was then called Skyway, and they played in the mbaqanga style.
Two years after Skyway's formation, Lucky joined Richard Siluma's Love Brothers. He stayed with them for several years, before switching to reggae in the early 1980s. His first major success in that field came at the influential Sunsplash festival in Jamaica.
Lucky's "Together as One" was the first song by a black artist to be played on a white radio station in South Africa. His two most popular albums, Prisoner and Slave, are among the most renowned and best-selling in South Africa's history. One of Lucky's favourite singers was the late Peter Tosh.
On the 18th of October 2007, Lucky was shot dead in an attempted car jacking in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discography
Rastas Never Dies
Think About The Children
(The Above Two available on 2on1 - Lucky Dube Rastas Never Dies/Think About The Children (2000))
Slave (1989)
Prisoner (1990)
Together as one (1992)
House of exile (1992)
Captured Live (1993)
Victims (1993)
Trinity (1995)
Serious reggae business (1996)
Taxman (1997)
The Way It Is (1999)
The Rough Guide To Lucky Dube (2001)
Soul Taker (2001)
The other side (2005)
Respect (2006)
Hold On
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you were going through
It's just that I didn't have the right
To discuss your problems I saw you struggling
For our education I saw you struggling to get us clothes to wear mama
This man you got married to is dead alive
Over the years I asked myself
Many questions Is he my real dad or
But hold on I am a little grown up now
Oh Ho
Chorus:
Hold on just a little bit longer now (x4)
You were a laughing stock in the community
The press didn't rest
Makin' news out of you mama
Now is the time to show them that he who laughs last laughs the best, that's the way it is (x2)
Chorus:
Hold on just a little bit longer now
I know it's not easy for you mama but your tears will turn to laughter now that I"m a grown up mama
Chorus till fade
In Lucky Dube's song "Hold On," he speaks to his mother and acknowledges the struggles she had to endure to provide for the family. He knows exactly what she was going through but never had the right to discuss her problems. He has seen her struggling to provide education for her children and basic necessity like clothes. Dube believes that the man his mother got married to is 'dead alive.' He repeatedly asks himself questions like; is he his real father, was he adopted? Even though it is challenging for her mama, he notes that she should hold on since he has grown up now and can help her.
The verse on being a laughing stock in the community is a clear indication of how society perceives single mothers. The press didn't hold back as they used his mother's struggles to create news. Lucky Dube encourages his mother to show them that he who laughs last laughs the best. He concludes by reminding his mother not to give up and to hold on since he too has grown up, and her tears will eventually turn to laughter.
In conclusion, Lucky Dube's lyrics are encouraging and show concern for women who go through the struggle of being a single mother. He acknowledges society's perception and encourages mothers never to give up.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew exactly
I understood your struggles and hardships.
What you were going through
I knew the difficulties you were facing.
It's just that I didn't have the right
I did not have the authority or permission.
To discuss your problems
To talk about your issues.
I saw you struggling
I witnessed your challenges.
For our education I saw you struggling to get us clothes to wear mama
I saw you working hard to provide for us.
This man you got married to is dead alive
Your husband is not fulfilling his duties as a father or partner.
Over the years I asked myself
I wondered for a long time.
Many questions Is he my real dad or
I had doubts about my biological father.
Was I adopted mama
I thought maybe I was adopted.
I know it's difficult for you mama
I understand that it is hard for you.
But hold on I am a little grown up now
But now I am mature and can support you.
Oh Ho
Exclamation to emphasize sentiment.
Chorus: Hold on just a little bit longer now (x4)
Keep persevering, things will improve.
You were a laughing stock in the community
People mocked and ridiculed you publicly.
The press didn't rest Makin' news out of you mama
The media constantly reported on your struggles.
Now is the time to show them that he who laughs last laughs the best, that's the way it is (x2)
It's time to prove detractors wrong and show resilience.
I know it's not easy for you mama but your tears will turn to laughter now that I'm a grown up mama
I acknowledge your hardships, but things will get better now that I can support you.
Chorus till fade
Repeat chorus until end of song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUCKY PHILLIP DUBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dame584
Lyrics
I knew exactly
What you were going through
It's just that I didn't have the right
To discuss your problems I saw you struggling
For our education I saw you struggling to get us clothes to wear mama
This man you got married to is dead alive
Over the years I asked myself
Many questions Is he my real dad or
Was I adopted mama I know it's difficult for you mama
But hold on I am a little grown up now
Oh Ho
Chorus:
Hold on just a little bit longer now (x4)
You were a laughing stock in the community
The press didn't rest
Makin' news out of you mama
Now is the time…
@DiegoDamunaTv
Is there anyone listening to this song right now?
@noelamadadi5731
I'm in this situation of a struggling single mom, i kindly ask God to bless all moms,it isn't easy but we 💪💪
@nelsonbarthelemy7905
Oh my god
@jamesbond5065
@noel Amadadi❤
@kwesi976
You will be fine dear
@noelamadadi5731
@@kwesi976 🙏🙏🙏🙏
@sheilakhumalo5947
Bless you
@michaelmaghanga2140
The year was 1995 when I got addicted to this song. I would go to a nearby pub where I lived in a ghetto and played this song from the jukebox a million times.
@kristineshanzi1528
I love the song n I can listen to it 1000 times n more without getting tired
@joneschilufya867
I don't know if Lucky Dube is as celebrated in SA but in Zambia this man is a legend. We all grew up listening to his songs. My dad's favourite; obviously he relates to the song.