- - -
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)
don't cry
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see you gonna cry
Every time I say I wanna go
I can tell you gonna cry
Thinking of the lonely nights
When I' m not there
Thinking of the lonely days
Thousands of people
Wanna see me
Millions are waiting
For the message I say
Billions are dying
For the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the message
I'm going round the world
Spreading the word
Don't cry baby don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
They wanna hear me saying
Ayobayo
They wanna hear me say
I've got you babe
They wanna hear me saying
Together as one
They wanna hear me say
I'm a slave don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Every time I say I wanna go
I can see you gonna cry
Every time I say I'm going
I can tell you gonna cry
Thinking of the lonely nights
When I' m not there
Thinking of the lonely days
When I'm gone
Thousands of people
Wanna see me
Millions are waiting
For the message
Billions are dying
To hear the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the word
So don't cry baby don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
The lyrics to Lucky Dube’s “Don’t Cry” seem to be a reassurance to a loved one, assuring them not to worry or fret when he has to leave. The repetition of the phrase “don’t cry” throughout the lyrics serves as a reminder that everything will be okay.
The lyrics talk about the overwhelming number of people who want to hear his message and him going around the world spreading the word. This could mean that he is a musician spreading his message through music or a preacher spreading the word of God. The lines “They wanna hear me say Ayobayo” and “They wanna hear me say I’m a slave don’t cry” suggest that he is spreading a message of hope and strength to his listeners.
The verses also mention the lonely nights and days when he is not there, which could be a reflection of how his absence affects those close to him. The use of “lonely” in these lines suggests a feeling of isolation and sadness. However, the refrain of “don’t cry” serves as a reminder that even though he may be gone, his love and message is still with them.
Overall, the lyrics serve as a reassurance to his loved ones that even though he is leaving, they still have his love and support, and his message of hope and strength will continue to resonate with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I say I'm going
Whenever I mention leaving for a trip or journey
I can see you gonna cry
I can perceive that you will begin to weep in sadness
Every time I say I wanna go
Whenever I express my desire to travel or move away
I can tell you gonna cry
I can predict that you will begin to weep in sorrow
Thinking of the lonely nights
Reflecting on the times when I won't be available, leaving you alone at night
When I'm not there
When I'm absent or away
Thinking of the lonely days
Remembering the long periods without my presence
Thousands of people
Multitudes of individuals
Wanna see me
Are eager to catch a glimpse of me
Millions are waiting
A vast number of people are anticipating
For the message I say
For the words or ideas that I express
Billions are dying
An unimaginable number of people are perishing
For the message
In search of the message or ideas I'm spreading
I am going round the world
I am traveling everywhere to reach people with my message
Spreading the message
Sharing the message with others
Spreading the word
Revealing important truths or principles to people
They wanna hear me saying Ayobayo
People are eager to hear me say 'Ayobayo'
They wanna hear me say I've got you babe
People want me to express that 'I've got you, babe'
Together as one
For us to unite in solidarity
They wanna hear me say I'm a slave don't cry
People are expecting me to declare that 'I am a slave, don't cry'
Don't cry baby don't cry
Please don't weep, my dearest
Don't cry
Do not shed tears
Don't cry
Do not let your tears fall
Don't cry
Hold back your tears
Don't cry
Don't break down in tears
Don't cry baby don't cry
Please don't cry, my special one
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevesongz_ke
Everytime I say I wanna go
I can see you gonna cry
Everytime I say I wanna go
I can tell you gonna cry
Thinking of the lonely nights
( when I' m not there )
Thinking of the days
( when I' ve gone )
Thousands of people
Wanna see me
Millions are waiting
For the message
Billions are dying
For the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the word
Don' t cry baby, don' t cry
Don' t cry
They wanna hear me saying!
Ayobayo
They wanna hear me hear me say
I' ve got you babe
They wanna hear me sayin
Together as one
They wanna hear me say
I' m a slave
@adenicarvalho1990
Brasil o Lucky Dube marcou a minha infância e até hoje marca de mais só muito fã !!
@cebartiaum
Só agradeço ao meu tio por apresentar essa lenda do reggae quando eu era bem novo.. hj sei apreciar essas melodias q toca na alma #LuckyDubeEterno
@stevesongz_ke
Everytime I say I wanna go
I can see you gonna cry
Everytime I say I wanna go
I can tell you gonna cry
Thinking of the lonely nights
( when I' m not there )
Thinking of the days
( when I' ve gone )
Thousands of people
Wanna see me
Millions are waiting
For the message
Billions are dying
For the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the message
I am going round the world
Spreading the word
Don' t cry baby, don' t cry
Don' t cry
They wanna hear me saying!
Ayobayo
They wanna hear me hear me say
I' ve got you babe
They wanna hear me sayin
Together as one
They wanna hear me say
I' m a slave
@briskevinnnanga7391
thank you bro
@cetronmichelo9053
Yea we really miss him
@katherinekirkwood9632
Thanks 4 posting words it's great to sing with him 💒🆓🎶🇺🇸🌴
@yawtweneboah3989
Thanks for the words
@jeanbaptistealce6347
Bro respect 👊👊
@felicitymunjuri6418
I was young when he died.i love his songs .. during this covid 19 pandemic am listening more and more of his songs..why do good people die!His songs got awesome message..R.I.P LEGEND.
@markmumpande77
me too