Raw Riddim
Melody Makers Lyrics


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Hop bop but don't call the cop
My sound still in the musical top, relax

Come on in, the gate is wide and open
Don't be afraid, we're not as bad as they say
Do you, do you, do what you got to do [Repeat: x3]
Do you, do you
We're having fun down in the ghetto [Repeat: x4]

[Chorus]
When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence
When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence
When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence
When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence

Come on in, the gate is wide and open
Don't be afraid, we're not as bad as they say
Do you, do you, do what you got to do
Do you, do you, do what you got to do
Do you, do you, do what you got to do
Do you, do you

[Chorus]

Now I'm at a corner, gonna check a sistren
Left alone to suffer
No I'm at the station, going to check a brethren
Charge with instigating revolution

See it ya, now me sey we willy winkle
Where have you been
So skinning up your teeth, you know wi not smiling
Because you upstairs downstairs committing sin
Political wise and you don't deserve a thing
Every sufferer suffer sometimes or another

Though you see wiinna knit ganz and sweater
Wi belly could a full, but wi still a suffer
House and land down suh it without furniture
Though wi export wi coffee send wi farm worker
Ex-amount a wi people still a suffer
The ghetto gal from down suh,
Man mi sey she sweet like a wah
Man wi hail up Pam and big up Barbara
Special request to Panserella Big up the youth
Call Burro Chaga, soul man him dey yah
In enough gold chain, silver

When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence
When will the innocent stop being
Punished for their innocence

You see as to how wi get this riddim yah




Fe dance wid, you dance wid it you nuh
Sam way you nuh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Melody Makers' song "Raw Riddim" delve into the experience of living in the ghetto and facing persecution due to one's innocence. The song's opening lines, "Hop bop but don't call the cop / My sound still in the musical top, relax," addresses the fears and anxieties that come with living in a community that is constantly under surveillance. The Melody Makers invite their listeners in, assuring them that they are not as bad as they have been made out to be. The repeated refrain, "Do you, do you, do what you got to do," speaks to the importance of pursuing one's own path despite the challenges that may come with it.


The song's chorus laments the unfortunate reality that innocent people are often punished for crimes they did not commit. The Melody Makers urge for change and question when this cycle of injustice will come to an end. The final verse tells a story of a man trying to visit a friend who has been charged with instigating revolution. The lyrics also touch on the struggles of poverty and the hopelessness that comes with it. Despite these hardships, the Melody Makers celebrate the unity and spirit of the community, shouting out individuals and showing appreciation for those who continue to persevere.


Line by Line Meaning

Hop bop but don't call the cop
Come and enjoy our music, but please do not involve law enforcement


My sound still in the musical top, relax
My music is still relevant and popular, so just relax and enjoy it


Come on in, the gate is wide and open
Everyone is welcome to join us


Don't be afraid, we're not as bad as they say
Do not fear us, we are not the bad people that others may portray us to be


Do you, do you, do what you got to do [Repeat: x3]
Be yourself and do what you need to do


We're having fun down in the ghetto [Repeat: x4]
We are enjoying ourselves despite the difficult circumstances of living in the ghetto


[Chorus]
The innocent should not be punished for their innocence


Now I'm at a corner, gonna check a sistren
I am going to check on a friend at the street corner


Left alone to suffer
This friend was left alone to suffer hardship


No I'm at the station, going to check a brethren
I am going to check on another friend who has been taken to the police station


Charge with instigating revolution
This friend has been charged with leading a potentially revolutionary movement


See it ya, now me sey we willy winkle
Look here, let me tell you something


Where have you been
I have not seen you in a while


So skinning up your teeth, you know wi not smiling
You are grinning, but we are not happy about the situation


Because you upstairs downstairs committing sin
You are behaving unethically, whether you are wealthy or poor


Political wise and you don't deserve a thing
You may have political power, but you do not deserve it


Every sufferer suffer sometimes or another
Everyone experiences hardship at some point


Though you see wiinna knit ganz and sweater
Despite appearances (such as our nice clothing), we still struggle


Wi belly could a full, but wi still a suffer
We may have food in our bellies, but we still experience hardship


House and land down suh it without furniture
Many people in our community do not have furniture in their homes despite owning them


Though wi export wi coffee send wi farm worker
We may export coffee, but our farmers still struggle


Ex-amount a wi people still a suffer
Many of us are still experiencing hardship


The ghetto gal from down suh, Man mi sey she sweet like a wah
There is a girl from the ghetto who is very attractive


Man wi hail up Pam and big up Barbara
We want to acknowledge and give respect to Pam and Barbara


Special request to Panserella Big up the youth
A special shoutout to Panserella and the young people in our community


Call Burro Chaga, soul man him dey yah
We want to call on Burro Chaga, the soul man who is here with us


In enough gold chain, silver
Many people in our community wear flashy jewelry despite experiencing hardship


[Chorus]
The innocent should not be punished for their innocence


You see as to how wi get this riddim yah
Let me tell you how we got this rhythm


Fe dance wid, you dance wid it you nuh
Feel free to dance with us to this rhythm


Sam way you nuh
Just like that




Lyrics © Regard Music
Written by: STEPHEN MARLEY, ZIGGY MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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