Friend
Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I watch your children grow
And the years them carry on
And I miss you even more
Still I send them go to school
And tell them
What dem fi know
All of mi friend dem mi salute
Another year has come and past
Man a drop like morning dew
Uncle Warrick sick and gone
When him couldn't catch a flew
Picka T you a mi don
Respect long and overdue
When nothing never did a gwan
You still have on somethin' new
Our friendship ever last
All when one minus from few
Yes we surely had a blast
We're like family me and you
I know every path you cross
Lead to somebody whe' true
Of the many that are called
Only chosen is a few
Of the real friends that serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain
Your real friends will serve you long
Acquaintances will fade
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
Only talking with winners
A loser or two
Got my number
Still they think they real
But they just really awfully bitter
Salty niggas hate the smarter ones
These are the doubters
Who's our bout my run
I barely made it out the slums
My value high cause I do more than
Rap about a gun
I made money for niggas
Y'all never looking out for none
I helped millionaires get to that very position
Some real millionaires see that's ill
'Cause look at statistics
Real millionaires
And I ain't talking ghetto riches
Thorough business
You mistreating niggas
Heard your folks bleed in prison
You ain't a G
And if you was
I don't recall
Who would roll with y'all
Buncha fucking know it alls
Who's dough is small
Look what's it come to
Our rapport's good no more
We was good before
Till I saw what type a dude you took me for
We had a chance to take paper down
What I took was more
Because of hatred
Opportunity wasted
Your real friends will serve you long
Your car and clothes will fade
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
Hey
Your real friend won't run in war
Nuh care what the cost is
You real friends are in for all the wins and the losses
Fi Real!
No question at all
Them ready fi rise the tallest
Take to the enemies
All for one
And one for all this
Real friend will hear you out
No secret feelings
Real friends won't sell you out
No bargain pleading
For real!
Always looking out
A meal!
When outside a drought
Your real!
Friend won't hide you out
No
Your real friends will serve you long
When all else fails
Your real friend wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
May laughter
From backstabbers
Turn to tears faster
I wish for you
No snake shall slither past ya
You have to
Keep your vision clear
'Cause only a coward lives in fear
My surroundings
Got only real powerful niggas here
Real men we have a code of ethics
No question
No jealousies
No feminine tendencies
We expecting
No gossip
No phony logic
No counting your homie pocket
Spare no expense for legal defense
If your homey locked up
No keeping tabs
On who was the last who looked out
Selfishness
That's a character flaw
No holding out
Yo what happened to the honor?
You're dealing with
Sensitive pre-Madonna drama
Teflon love
For my dudes who solid
Your real friends will serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain, eh
Your real friends will serve you long, woe ya woe
When all else fails
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Friend" paint a vivid picture of the complexities and nuances of relationships and friendships in life. Marley reflects on the passage of time and the changes that come with it, reminiscing about friends who have passed away or drifted apart. He speaks of sending children off to school and imparting wisdom to them, highlighting the importance of passing on knowledge and experiences to the next generation.
Marley pays tribute to his friends, acknowledging the value of true friendship that endures through hardships and challenges. He mentions specific friends like Daddi Gon, Lenny Screw, Uncle Warrick, and Picka T, honoring their memory and the bond they shared. The lyrics emphasize the idea that real friends are those who stand by you through thick and thin, never wavering in their loyalty and support.
The song also delves into the theme of betrayal and deception, cautioning against fake friends who pretend to be genuine but ultimately reveal their true colors. Marley criticizes those who are envious and deceitful, highlighting the importance of integrity and authenticity in relationships. He stresses the significance of recognizing and cherishing real friendships that are built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect.
In the final verses, Marley expresses his hopes and wishes for his friends, wishing them protection from backstabbers and urging them to maintain clear vision and strong values. The lyrics emphasize the qualities of a true friend, such as loyalty, honesty, and solidarity in times of need. Marley's message is a powerful reminder to cherish genuine connections, nurture meaningful friendships, and stay true to the principles of respect and loyalty in all relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
These later days in Babylon
Reflecting on the changing times and challenges of the present
As I watch your children grow
Observing the growth and development of loved ones
And the years them carry on
Time continues to pass by
And I miss you even more
Feeling a strong sense of longing for someone
Still I send them go to school
Supporting the education of those close to me
And tell them What dem fi know
Teaching them important knowledge and values
All of mi friend dem mi salute
Respecting and honoring all my friends
Daddi gon and Lenny Screw
Remembering and paying tribute to lost friends
Another year has come and past
Recognizing the passage of time
Man a drop like morning dew
Acknowledging the fragility of life
Uncle Warrick sick and gone
Mourning the loss of a loved one
When him couldn't catch a flew
Reflecting on the inevitability of death
Picka T you a mi don
Showing respect and appreciation for a loyal friend
Respect long and overdue
Recognizing the importance of showing respect
When nothing never did a gwan
Despite facing challenges and obstacles
You still have on somethin' new
Continuing to adapt and grow
Our friendship ever last
Emphasizing the enduring nature of friendship
All when one minus from few
Even when some friends drift away
Yes we surely had a blast
Recalling joyful memories shared with friends
We're like family me and you
Considering close friends as family
I know every path you cross
Understanding the journey of a friend
Lead to somebody whe' true
Leading to genuine and trustworthy individuals
Of the many that are called
Among the many friends we have
Only chosen is a few
Only a select few are true friends
Of the real friends that serve you long
True friends who stand by you through thick and thin
Your memories might fade
While memories may dim over time
Your real friends will serve you long
True friends remain loyal and supportive
Sunshine or rain
Whether in good times or bad
Your real friends will serve you long
True friends endure and never betray
Acquaintances will fade
Casual connections may fade away
Your real friends wont do you wrong
True friends will always have your back
Real friend don't change
A real friend remains constant and trustworthy
Only talking with winners
Surrounding oneself with successful individuals
A loser or two
Having encountered a few setbacks along the way
Got my number
Known and available for support
Still they think they real
Despite appearances, some friends prove untrustworthy
But they just really awfully bitter
Their actions stemming from deep resentment
Salty niggas hate the smarter ones
Jealous individuals resent those who excel
These are the doubters
Those who question and doubt your abilities
Who's our bout my run
Concerned about their own interests
I barely made it out the slums
Overcoming challenging circumstances
My value high cause I do more than Rap about a gun
Valued for traits beyond superficial bravado
I made money for niggas
Generous and financially supportive
Y'all never looking out for none
Others failed to reciprocate support
I helped millionaires get to that very position
Assisting others in achieving success
Some real millionaires see that's ill
Recognizing true success and accomplishments
'Cause look at statistics
Evidence of achievements and contributions
Real millionaires
Individuals who have achieved genuine wealth
And I ain't talking ghetto riches
Distinguishing between true wealth and superficial displays
Thorough business
Conducting transactions with integrity
You mistreating niggas
Disrespectful and harmful behavior
Heard your folks bleed in prison
Being aware of friends facing difficulties
You ain't a G
Questioning someone's authenticity and loyalty
And if you was
Even if you claimed to be
I don't recall
Unsure of true intentions and actions
Who would roll with y'all
Questioning the loyalty of their associates
Buncha fucking know it alls
Arrogant and condescending individuals
Who's dough is small
Despite bravado, lacking true success
Look what's it come to
Reflecting on the current state of affairs
Our rapport's good no more
The once positive relationship has soured
We was good before
Recalling better times in the past
Till I saw what type a dude you took me for
Realizing the true nature of a former friend
We had a chance to take paper down
Opportunity for financial success together
What I took was more
Choosing personal growth and integrity over profit
Because of hatred
Recognizing the destructive power of jealousy
Opportunity wasted
Regretting a lost chance for mutual benefit
Your real friends will serve you long
True friends remain loyal over time
Your car and clothes will fade
Material possessions are temporary
Your real friends wont do you wrong
True friends always have your best interests
Real friend don't change
Authentic friends remain constant and true
Your real friend won't run in war
True friends stand by you in times of conflict
Nuh care what the cost is
Unwavering loyalty regardless of consequences
You real friends are in for all the wins and the losses
True friends share in your successes and failures
Fi Real!
Truly and faithfully
No question at all
Without a doubt
Them ready fi rise the tallest
Prepared to face any challenge head-on
Take to the enemies
Ready to confront adversaries
All for one
Unity and support among friends
And one for all this
Standing together for a common purpose
Real friend will hear you out
True friends listen and understand your perspective
No secret feelings
Open and honest communication
Real friends won't sell you out
True friends will never betray your trust
No bargain pleading
No need for manipulation or negotiation
For real!
Genuine and true
Always looking out
Watching over and caring for one another
A meal!
Providing sustenance and support when needed
When outside a drought
Hope and help in times of need
Your real!
Authentic and reliable
Friend won't hide you out
True friends will not abandon or betray you
May laughter From backstabbers Turn to tears faster
Those who deceive will ultimately regret their actions
I wish for you No snake shall slither past ya
Hoping for protection against deceit and betrayal
You have to Keep your vision clear 'Cause only a coward lives in fear
Staying true to oneself and avoiding cowardice
My surroundings Got only real powerful niggas here
Surrounded by genuine and strong individuals
Real men we have a code of ethics
Men of integrity and values
No question No jealousies No feminine tendencies
Void of doubts, envy, and superficial traits
We expecting No gossip No phony logic
Encouraging honesty and authenticity in relationships
No counting your homie pocket Spare no expense for legal defense If your homey locked up
Being prepared to support friends in need, regardless of cost
No keeping tabs On who was the last who looked out
Not keeping score or expecting favors in return
Selfishness That's a character flaw No holding out
Recognizing selfishness as a weakness, and avoiding it
Yo what happened to the honor? You're dealing with Sensitive pre-Madonna drama
Questioning the lack of integrity in a dramatic situation
Teflon love For my dudes who solid
Unbreakable loyalty for steadfast friends
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Damian Robert Nesta Marley, Nasir Jones, David Ze
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@X4NOTHING
Phillip Smith Agree :-)
But...
Damien is much closer to. Bob
He live with Bob" soul.
His opinions and views are very similar.
Damian sings like Bob i think.?
Peace must be with Bob..
and peace to you also :-)
@YMMU
Mu kukulu kimemene kiango ma putu (early in the morning in settlers' time)
Mu kukulu kimemene kiango ma putu (early in the morning in settlers' time)
Muxi mukanu dilola kumaku (with mouthwash and hoop in hand)
Wawe mu ndenge, wawe mu ndenge wami (O, babyhood of mine)
wawe mu ndenge (O, babyhood of mine)
wawa mu ndenge wame (O, babyhood of mine)
These later days in Babylon
As I watch your children grow
And the years them carry on
And I miss you even more
Still I send them go to school
And tell them
What dem fi know
All of mi friend dem mi salute
Daddi gon and Lenny Screw
Another year has come and past
Man a drop like morning dew
Uncle Warrick sick and gone
When him couldn't catch a flew
Picka T you a mi don
Respect long and overdue
When nothing never did a gwan
You still have on somethin' new
Our friendship ever last
All when one minus from few
Yes we surely had a blast
We're like family Me and you
A nuh every path you cross
Lead to somebody whe true
Of the many that are called
Only chosen is a few
[Chorus 2 - JR. Gong]
Of the real friends that serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain
Your real friends will serve you long
Acquaintances will fade
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Verse 2 - Nas]
Only talking with winners
A loser or two
Got my number
Still they think they real
But they just really awfully bitter
Salty niggaz Hate the smarter ones
These are the doubters
Who's our 'bout my run
I barely made it out the slums
My value high Cause I do more than
Rap about a gun
I made money for niggaz
Ya'll never looking out for none
I helped millionaires get to that very position
Some real millionaires see that's ill
Cause look at statistics
Real millionaires
And I ain't talking ghetto riches
Thorough business
You mistreating niggaz
Heard your folks bleed in prison
You ain't a G
And if you was
I don't recall
Who would roll with ya'll
Bunch a fucking know it alls
Who's dough is small
Look what's it come to
Our rapport's good no more
We was good before
Till I saw what type a dude you took me for
We had a chance to take paper down
What I took was more
Because of hatred
Opportunity wasted
[Chorus 3 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your car and clothes will fade
Your real friend wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change Eh
[Verse 3 - JR. Gong]
Your real friend won't run in war
Nuh care what the cost is
You real friends are in for all the wins and the losses
Fi Real!
No question at all
Them ready fi rise the tallest
Take to the enemies
All for one
And one for all this
Real friend will hear you out
No secret feelings
Real friends won't sell you out
No bargain pleading
For real!
Always looking out
A meal!
When outside a drought
Your real!
Friend won't hide you out
No
[Chorus 4 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
When all else fails
Your real friend wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Verse 4 - Nas]
May laughter
From backstabbers
Turn to tears faster
I wish for you
No snake shall slither past ya
You have to
Keep your vision clear
Cause only a coward lives in fear
My surroundings
Got only real powerful niggaz here
Real men we have a code of ethics
No question
No jealousies
No feminine tendencies
We expecting
No gossip
No phony logic
No counting your homey pocket
Spare no expense for legal defense
If your homey locked up
No keeping tabs
On who was the last who looked out
Selfishness
That's a character flaw
No holding out
Yo what happened to the honor?
You're dealing with
Sensitive Pre-Madonna drama
Teflon love
For my dudes who solid
[Chorus 5 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain, eh
Your real friends will serve you long, woe ya woe
When all else fails
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Bridge - JR. Gong]
Now plentiful
Or scantily
My cup be full
Or emptily
With arm in arms
We'll all trod on
Through destiny
A friend that's true
Is there for me
Respect is due
They care for me
Should I be down
Or even out
They're next to me
Hey
[Chorus Out - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain, hey
Your real friends will serve you long, woe ya woe
When all else fails
Real friends won't do you wrong
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
@marthaaguilar1798
These later days in Babylon
As I watch your children grow
And the years them carry on
And I miss you even more
Still I send them go to school
And tell them
What dem fi know
All of mi friend dem mi salute
Daddi gon and Lenny Screw
Another year has come and past
Man a drop like morning dew
Uncle Warrick sick and gone
When him couldn't catch a flew
Picka T you a mi don
Respect long and overdue
When nothing never did a gwan
You still have on somethin' new
Our friendship ever last
All when one minus from few
Yes we surely had a blast
We're like family Me and you
A nuh every path you cross
Lead to somebody whe true
Of the many that are called
Only chosen is a few
[Chorus 2 - JR. Gong]
Of the real friends that serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain
Your real friends will serve you long
Acquaintances will fade
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Verse 2 - Nas]
Only talking with winners
A loser or two
Got my number
Still they think they real
But they just really awfully bitter
Salty niggaz Hate the smarter ones
These are the doubters
Who's our 'bout my run
I barely made it out the slums
My value high Cause I do more than
Rap about a gun
I made money for niggaz
Ya'll never looking out for none
I helped millionaires get to that very position
Some real millionaires see that's ill
Cause look at statistics
Real millionaires
And I ain't talking ghetto riches
Thorough business
You mistreating niggaz
Heard your folks bleed in prison
You ain't a G
And if you was
I don't recall
Who would roll with ya'll
Bunch a fucking know it alls
Who's dough is small
Look what's it come to
Our rapport's good no more
We was good before
Till I saw what type a dude you took me for
We had a chance to take paper down
What I took was more
Because of hatred
Opportunity wasted
[Chorus 3 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your car and clothes will fade
Your real friend wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change Eh
[Verse 3 - JR. Gong]
Your real friend won't run in war
Nuh care what the cost is
You real friends are in for all the wins and the losses
Fi Real!
No question at all
Them ready fi rise the tallest
Take to the enemies
All for one
And one for all this
Real friend will hear you out
No secret feelings
Real friends won't sell you out
No bargain pleading
For real!
Always looking out
A meal!
When outside a drought
Your real!
Friend won't hide you out
No
[Chorus 4 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
When all else fails
Your real friend wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Verse 4 - Nas]
May laughter
From backstabbers
Turn to tears faster
I wish for you
No snake shall slither past ya
You have to
Keep your vision clear
Cause only a coward lives in fear
My surroundings
Got only real powerful niggaz here
Real men we have a code of ethics
No question
No jealousies
No feminine tendencies
We expecting
No gossip
No phony logic
No counting your homey pocket
Spare no expense for legal defense
If your homey locked up
No keeping tabs
On who was the last who looked out
Selfishness
That's a character flaw
No holding out
Yo what happened to the honor?
You're dealing with
Sensitive Pre-Madonna drama
Teflon love
For my dudes who solid
[Chorus 5 - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain, eh
Your real friends will serve you long, woe ya woe
When all else fails
Your real friends wont do you wrong
Real friend don't change
[Bridge - JR. Gong]
Now plentiful
Or scantily
My cup be full
Or emptily
With arm in arms
We'll all trod on
Through destiny
A friend that's true
Is there for me
Respect is due
They care for me
Should I be down
Or even out
They're next to me
Hey
[Chorus Out - JR. Gong]
Your real friends will serve you long
Your memories might fade
Your real friends will serve you long
Sunshine or rain, hey
Your real friends will serve you long, woe ya woe
When all else fails
Real friends won't do you wrong
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
Real friend don't change
@valdemaralexandre151
The original sample is from a song called Undenge Uami by David Ze, The language is quimbundu... David Ze was born on August 23, 1944, in Luanda, Angola and died on May 27, 1977. R.I.P
(undenge uami) means my Brother...
we say "Undenge Uami" when we're refer to a young Brother only. he is one of the GOAT Musicians of Angola no doubt
Africa stand up..
Angola show up.... this song is really so deep Nas and Damian Genius..they used it very well...SALUTE
@valdemaralexandre151
🇦🇴2023 I still listen...its a real masterpiece damn ...Angola🇦🇴 ,Africa proudly🇦🇴
@mwitumwanyumbu8734
Thanks for the write up.
@davischarles4586
😊 Ii it iiuOhgf Ii pfoo daysg VA oujjp
@jackmacdonald1800
Still listening to this masterpiece in 2021....I'm disappointed this song has only 4.7million views in over 10years...this generation dont know waht good music is?!!!
@rockandroll6656
facts
@Andrew_P92
Still here bro. indeed a masterpiece.
@onevisionary6124
real thing !
@hhclogisticsindependentcon7053
Give the new generation more credit they are protected like underground hiphop
@trimdem9090
2022