Ghetto Boy
Marley Stephen Lyrics


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Yow! (Ghetto) they do more to the people
Than for the people (Get out, Get it)
They crash the economy like a vehicle
(Let's set it, I heard dem)
Seh dem a don and dem a dupes and dem a dadda
(Stupid fools)
Inna the heart of the youths dem
Future yuh stick a dagger
(That's what they did)
Let's do this ragga (Let's move)

Once I was a little child
Little things that make me smile
But quickly I became a man
The don put a gun into my hand
Told me that I could live or die
I didn't know the reason why
But my gun became my toy
The story of the ghetto boy
Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy
Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy

Well, di story of a ghetto boy
Who di don give di gun an tink him get a toy
So him deploy inna di street
To set a better joy
But now him buck up di police and him regret
A choice Death is what him get a tise
Story of a ghetto yute
Who the don give the gun
And seh yuh better shoot
If yuh want to wear a better suit
Yuh want fi drive a coupe
Wear a couple gold chain and
Sleep with couple prostitute
Dem future yuh a prosecute
No don cyah tell I nutten or press I button
Mi a gwaan eat mi greens
If mi cyah buy mutton
Mi nuh red eye or glutton fi
No gyal or guy somn
No hold di fate so till the gate
Jah seh fi I must open
We nuh waan see Andrew Holness
We nuh waan see Portia
NCB mi waan fi see and Scotia
Tell P and JP, both a dem a joker
But me proud a ghetto mi come outta

Once I was a little child
Little things that make me smile
But quickly I became a man
The don put a gun into my hand
Told me that I could live or die
I didn't know the reason why
But my gun became my toy
The story of the ghetto boy
Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy
Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy

Mi tell dem
Ghetto we ghetto we nuh change we ways Yuh
Violate man an a grades a blaze
Anywhere the food deh man ago go for
Nah suffer, caw man a look fi greater days
Suppose mi tell yuh seh we go fi food anyweh
And we nuh fraid a no jail or cemetery
We bring heat to the streets
All front a police
Still a mek step to di enemy
We mek di eagle fly high mek dem see dat
(dem see dat) dem see that
Anything drop dem know a we that
Front page pon every news network
Menace to society the world seh a we dat
House and car everybody need dat
A no every ghetto boy out deh a eediat
Any means necessary man a pree dat
From a little tot mi head real hot

Once I was a little child
Little things that make me smile
But quickly I became a man
The don put a gun into my hand
Told me that I could live or die
I didn't know the reason why
But my gun became my toy
The story of the ghetto boy
Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy




Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marley Stephen's song "Ghetto Boy" shed light on the harsh realities faced by individuals growing up in impoverished neighborhoods, also known as the ghetto. The first verse speaks to the manipulation and exploitation of the people in these communities. The "don" and those in power do more damage to the people than they do to help them. They crash the economy like a vehicle, causing further hardships for the already struggling population. The lyrics emphasize how these figures claim to be important and influential ("seh dem a don") while in reality, they are fools who have betrayed the youth and their future by metaphorically sticking a dagger in their hearts.


The chorus reflects on the journey of a young child growing up in the ghetto and being exposed to the violence and control of a powerful individual, referred to as "the don." The child is given a gun and instructed that it is a means to either live or die, without understanding the reasons behind it. The gun becomes their "toy," symbolizing how violence and a life on the streets become their only reality. The story of the ghetto boy refers to the struggles, challenges, and aggression they face as a result of their circumstances.


The second verse delves deeper into the story of a specific ghetto boy who is given a gun by the "don" in exchange for hope of a better life. He is lured into a life of crime and violence, encouraged to shoot others to obtain material possessions, like better clothing and cars, or to satisfy their superficial desires. These promises results in regrets and consequences, such as death, as the choice of violence and criminal activities comes with its own dangers.


The lyrics of the third verse highlight the resilience and determination of the ghetto community. They refuse to change their ways or be intimidated by anyone, even the police. The ghetto residents are willing to go to any lengths to ensure their survival and improve their living conditions. They face the police with fierce determination, and despite the negative portrayal of them by society, they strive to bring change and empowerment to their community. The statement that they are a "menace to society" is a reflection of how their struggle against oppression and poverty challenges societal norms.


Overall, the lyrics of "Ghetto Boy" by Marley Stephen's shed light on the harsh realities faced by the inhabitants of impoverished neighborhoods and their resilience in the face of adversity. It explores themes of manipulation, violence, survival, and the struggle to break free from the cycle of poverty. The song calls for empathy and understanding, as well as recognition of the strength and determination of those growing up in these challenging environments.


Line by Line Meaning

Yow! (Ghetto) they do more to the people
Hey! They oppress and exploit the people


Than for the people (Get out, Get it)
Rather than working for the people's benefit


They crash the economy like a vehicle
They destroy the economy like a wrecked car


(Let's set it, I heard dem)
(Let's expose them, I've heard about them)


Seh dem a don and dem a dupes and dem a dadda
They claim to be leaders, but they're just fools and deceivers


(Stupid fools)
(Complete idiots)


Inna the heart of the youths dem
Deep within the young generation


Future yuh stick a dagger
They stab the future with a dagger


(That's what they did)
(That's the harm they caused)


Let's do this ragga (Let's move)
Let's take action and make our voice heard


Once I was a little child
I used to be an innocent child


Little things that make me smile
Simple joys that brought me happiness


But quickly I became a man
But I grew up faster than expected


The don put a gun into my hand
The gang leader placed a gun in my hand


Told me that I could live or die
Telling me that my life depended on it


I didn't know the reason why
I didn't understand the purpose


But my gun became my toy
But the gun became my source of power


The story of the ghetto boy
This is the tale of a boy from the ghetto


Ghetto boy, ghetto boy
A boy trapped in the ghetto


The story of the ghetto boy
The story of the ghetto boy


Well, di story of a ghetto boy
Now, the story of a boy from the ghetto


Who di don give di gun an tink him get a toy
Whom the gang leader gave a gun, thinking it was just a toy


So him deploy inna di street
So he starts operating in the streets


To set a better joy
To find a better life


But now him buck up di police and him regret
But now he encounters the police and regrets his actions


A choice Death is what him get a tise
Choosing death is what he ultimately gets


Story of a ghetto yute
The story of a young boy from the ghetto


Who the don give the gun
Whom the gang leader gave a gun


And seh yuh better shoot
And said, you better shoot


If yuh want to wear a better suit
If you want to improve your lifestyle


Yuh want fi drive a coupe
If you want to drive a fancy car


Wear a couple gold chain and
Wear expensive gold chains


Sleep with couple prostitute
Sleep with multiple prostitutes


Dem future yuh a prosecute
They are prosecuting your future


No don cyah tell I nutten or press I button
No gang leader can control or manipulate me


Mi a gwaan eat mi greens
I will continue to strive for success


If mi cyah buy mutton
Even if I can't afford luxury


Mi nuh red eye or glutton fi
I'm not jealous or greedy for


No gyal or guy somn
Neither women nor men


No hold di fate so till the gate
I won't let destiny determine everything


Jah seh fi I must open
I believe that God wants me to succeed


We nuh waan see Andrew Holness
We don't want Andrew Holness (Jamaican Prime Minister)


We nuh waan see Portia
We don't want Portia (Former Jamaican Prime Minister)


NCB mi waan fi see and Scotia
We want NCB (National Commercial Bank) and Scotia (Scotiabank)


Tell P and JP, both a dem a joker
Tell P (Politicians) and JP (Jamaican Parliament) that they're both clowns


But me proud a ghetto mi come outta
But I'm proud of my ghetto roots


Mi tell dem
Let me tell them


Ghetto we ghetto we nuh change we ways Yuh
We, the people from the ghetto, won't change our ways


Violate man an a grades a blaze
If anyone disrespects us, there will be consequences


Anywhere the food deh man ago go for
We'll do anything to get access to food


Nah suffer, caw man a look fi greater days
We won't suffer because we're striving for a better future


Suppose mi tell yuh seh we go fi food anyweh
Imagine I tell you we'll go anywhere for food


And we nuh fraid a no jail or cemetery
And we're not afraid of going to jail or dying


We bring heat to the streets
We bring power and intensity to the streets


All front a police
Even in front of the police


Still a mek step to di enemy
We still confront our enemies


We mek di eagle fly high mek dem see dat
We make our symbol fly high for everyone to see


(dem see dat) dem see that
(They see that) they see that


Anything drop dem know a we that
Whenever something happens, they know it's us


Front page pon every news network
We make headlines on every news network


Menace to society the world seh a we dat
We're seen as a threat to society by the world


House and car everybody need dat
Everyone wants a house and a car


A no every ghetto boy out deh a eediat
Not every boy from the ghetto is foolish


Any means necessary man a pree dat
We're determined to do whatever it takes


From a little tot mi head real hot
Ever since I was a little child, I've been ambitious




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Yann Laborde

Lyric:

(Intro)
They do more to the people than for the people
They crash the economy like a vehicle
Seh dem a don and dem a dupes and dem a dadda
Inna the heart of the youths dem future yuh stick a dagger
Let's do this brother

Once I was a little child
Little things that make me smile
But quickly I became a man
A don put a gun into my hand
Told me that I could live or die
I didn't know the reason why
But my gun became my toy
The story of the guetto boy

Guetto boy, guetto boy,
the story of the guetto boy, guetto boy, guetto boy
the story of the guetto boy
(Verse 1)

Well, the story of a guetto boy
Who the don give the gun and think him get a toy
So him deploy in the street to set a better joy
But now him buck up the police and him regret a choice
Death is what him get a rise
Story of a guetto youth
Who the don give the gun and seh yuh better shot
If yuh want to wear a better suit yuh want fi drive a coupe
Wear a couple gold chain and sleep with couple prostitute
Dem future yuh a prosecute

No don cyah tell I nuttn or press I button
Mi a gwaan eat mi greens if mi cyah buy mutton
Mi nuh red eye or glutton fi no gyal or guy supm
No hold di fate so till the gate Jah seh fi I must open
We nuh waan see Andrew Holnes, we nuh waan see Portia
NCB mi waan fi see and Scotia
... and JP, both a dem a joker
But mi proud a guetto mi come outta

(Verse 2)

Mi tell dem, guetto we guetto we nuh change we ways
Yuh violate man a nd a grains a blaze
Anywhere the food deh man ago go for
Naw suffer, caw man a look fi greater days
Suppose mi tell yuh seh we go fi food anywhere
And we nuh fraid a no jail or cemetery
We bring heat to the streets all front a police
Still a mek step to the enemy

We mek the eagle fly high mek dem see that
Dem see that, anything drop dem know a we that
Front page pon every news network
Menace to society the world seh a we that
House and car everybody need that
A no every guetto boy out deh a idiot
Any means necessary man a pree that
From a little tot mi head real hot



Faruk Yıldırım

Once I was a little child
Little things that make me smile
But quickly I became a man
A don put a gun into my hand
Told me that I could live or die
I didn't know the reason why
But my gun became my toy
The story of the guetto boy

Guetto boy, guetto boy,
the story of the guetto boy, guetto boy, guetto boy
the story of the guetto boy



All comments from YouTube:

kyle Greaves

It's 2022 and I still listening this hit 💯

Rubin Druryrose

Fr bro

Silver Paw

Yo

Philip Pouponneau

Ya Boss

Ali Wyszkowiaczek

Grane 👍

Rodrick Robinson

MY GUN REALLY BECAME MY TOY, FACTS

19 More Replies...

Glenroy Scafe

This is a real song that reflects the ghettos here in Jamaica. I salute this track and hope it does well....

Courtney Simpson

"Gun was my toy" This Is one for the year. Thanks for the making this song loving it respect to Stephen, bounty and cobra. Strong message.

cosette love

"gun BECAME my toy"

IKnowEssence

This hits different when you can relate💔

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