Iron Bars
Marley Stephen Lyrics

What am I doing behind these iron bars
Questioning the reason behind being imprisoned

Never robbed nor killed, never done no one harm
Claiming innocence and no involvement with any wrongdoing

You put me in shackles, you place I in chains
Being repressed, restricted and confined within the prison system

Said I'll never see the outside again
Receiving a harsh sentence, with no hope of release

I'm a prisoner locked up for what
Asking for the justification of the imprisonment

Freedom of Speech ain't that all we've got
Advocating for the importance of free speech and expression

Wounded pride my head held up high
Maintaining dignity and self-respect despite being imprisoned

Rebels for life, we rebel for the right
Proudly identifying as a rebel, standing up for what is right

Let me out, let me out
Demanding to be released from imprisonment

I'm an angry lion
Feeling enraged and caged like a lion

Oh you crazy mother
Addressing the oppressors in a confrontational manner

Took my freedom, my honor, my pride
Expressing the devastating impact of imprisonment on oneself

To provide for my family I tried
Motivated by the desire to provide for one's family

Vision's blocked cause we locked inside
Feeling like one's future prospects are limited and restricted within prison

Yo I was caught in the mix with nowhere to go
Being trapped in unfavorable circumstances with no escape

Rent need to be paid things moving slow
Feeling the pressure of financial responsibilities despite being imprisoned

You looking for a change man there ain't no changing
Feeling hopeless and defeated about the possibility of improving one's situation

If it ain't for them man then why even bother
Feeling motivated to make a better life for one's family

You must think say man a sprat
Challenging the belief that one is weak or feeble-minded

Don't play no back and belly rat
Asserting one's courage and loyalty to oneself and one's cause

Well man a lion, yeah
Identifying as strong, fearless and powerful like a lion

Wanna take away my freedom wanna take away my life
Feeling like one's life and liberty are threatened and under attack

Lock me up, fi what? likkle sensimilia and a knife
Disputing the severity of the charges and expressing frustration at being imprisoned for minor offenses

So who a good feed mi youth dem eeh who a go care mi wife
Expressing concern for one's family and how they will be provided for

You a gwan like ghetto people n'have no rights
Challenging the oppressive attitude toward people from certain communities

Ghetto pickney we a go load dem in a truck out of here
Mobilizing and empowering those from marginalized communities to fight for their rights

Blaze it!
Encouraging others to take action and fight back against oppression