Waiting In Vain
MARLEY (Bob) Lyrics

One, two, three
Counting up, getting ready for the song

I don't wanna wait in vain for your love
Expresses a desire for immediate and mutual love, without wanting to wait for it

From the very first time I blessed my eyes on you, girl
From the moment I laid eyes on you

My heart says follow t'rough
My instincts tell me to pursue you

But I know, now, that I'm way down on your line
I now realize that I'm not a priority for you

But the waitin' feel is fine
Despite the disappointment, waiting for the love to come is not unbearable for me

So don't treat me like a puppet on a string
I won't tolerate being controlled or manipulated in this situation

'Cause I know how to do my thing
I am confident in my abilities and sense of self

Don't talk to me as if you think I'm dumb
I won't be patronized or underestimated

I wanna know when you're gonna come, see
Just tell me when we can be together, please

'Cause if summer is here
This particular lyric seems to be out of context as it lacks a clear meaning on its own. However, it suggests that time is passing and the singer is still waiting for love.

I'm still waiting there
The waiting continues

Like I said
Returning to a previous point of the song

It's been three years since I'm knockin' on your door
The singer has been in pursuit of the love interest for a long time without success

And I still can knock some more
Despite the lack of progress, the singer is willing to keep trying

Oh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
There's a sense of desperation in this question, asking if the love is possible or not

Ya see, in life I know there's lots of grief
The artist acknowledges the hardships of life and how love is a source of comfort and relief

But your love is my relief
The love interest's love is what gives the singer respite

Tears in my eyes burn, tears in my eyes burn
The frustration and sadness of waiting for love is taking a toll on the singer

While I'm waiting, while I'm waiting for my turn
The artist is patiently waiting but still wants to know when their chance will come

It's your love that I'm waiting on
Reiterates the fact that waiting for the love interest's love is the primary focus of the song

It's me love that you're running from.
The love interest is actively avoiding or rejecting the artist's love

No I, no I
An emphatic statement of not wanting to wait

It's your love that I'm waiting on
Repeating the focus of the song yet again

It's me love that you're running from.
The love interest is still avoiding or rejecting the singer's love

I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna
Restating the title, refusing to wait any longer

I don't wanna wait in vain
Another restatement of the title, this time emphasizing that the wait has been in vain