No Money No Love
Mighty Sparrow & Byron Lee Lyrics

Ivy pack up she clothes to leave
Ivy packed her clothes to leave John

Because John was down and out
John was broke and depressed

All alone he was left to grieve
John was left alone to mourn the end of their relationship

She had a next man in South
Ivy had another man in the South

She said openly
Ivy was honest when she said

I really love you Johnny
Ivy truly loved Johnny

But you ain't have no money
But Johnny was broke

So what will my future be
Ivy worried about her future

Even though you love me?
Even though Johnny loved her?

We can't love without money
Love cannot exist without money

We can't make love on hungry belly
It's impossible to have sex on an empty stomach

Johnny you'll be the only one I'm dreaming of
Despite everything, Ivy only dreams of Johnny

You're my turtle dove
Ivy is expressing her affection for Johnny

But no money no love
But without money, there can be no love

If you hear how he plead with she to get she to understand
If you hear how Johnny pleads with Ivy to make her understand

Listen, mister, she tell Johnny
Ivy addresses Johnny as 'mister'

Leggo me blasted hand
Ivy tells Johnny to let go of her hand

And make up your mind
And decide what you want to do

We got to break up this lime
We have to end this relationship

She said poverty is a crime
Ivy believes that being poor is a crime

You got no money
You have no money

Still you tanglin' me all the blinkin' time
You're still bothering me all the time

Gentleman let me tell you plain
Let me be clear, gentleman

She say I don't want to make a scene
Ivy doesn't want to cause a scene

But if you only touch me again
But if you touch me again

The police will intervene
The police will get involved

You ain't got a cent
You have no money

I couldn't even pay me rent
I couldn't even pay my rent

I had to give up me apartment
I had to give up my apartment

You give me nothing to eat
You didn't give me anything to eat

Now you want me to sleep on the pavement
And now you want me to sleep on the street

Johnny nearly killed she with blows
Johnny nearly killed her with blows

Poor Ivy bawl like a cow
Ivy cried like a cow

Rip up she wig and he tear down she clothes
Johnny ripped up Ivy's wig and tore her clothes

The South man ain't want she now
Ivy's other man in the South doesn't want her now

Oh, Lord, what a fight
Oh, Lord, what a fight it was

They roll until broad daylight
They fought until dawn

Charlotte street was hot that night
Charlotte street was heated that night

She get some good lick but she let go kick and some bite
Ivy got hurt but she also fought back