Downpressor Man
Peter Tosh Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day
You gonna run to the sea
But the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
All along that day

You gonna run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
I said, all along that day

So I said
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day

You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
All along that day

I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
All along that day

You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
Telling you all along that day

You gonna run to the law
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to the law
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to jah
Beggin' to hide you
All, all along that day

And I said downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Where you gonna run to downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said all along
Along that day (downpresser man)
Downpresser man, downpresser man
Downpresser man, downpresser man

Wait, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
I don't know where you gonna run to
All along that day

Downpresser man
You can't run, you can't bribe jah-jah
Can't call him in a bar
Fe can drink some
Devil soup
Can't bribe him to run a car now
Can't test him faith
Downpresser man, don't, downpresser man
I said, downpresser man, don't run, downpresser man
Downpresser man, where you gonna run to

Downpresser man
You can't bribe no one
Them no want no money
Them run'f money
That money gets funny





Downpresser man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Peter Tosh's "Downpressor Man" describe an individual who has been oppressing others, and now faces inevitable retribution. The singer in the song asks the downpressor man where he will run to, and warns that no matter where he goes, he will be unable to escape the consequences of his actions. The song also alludes to the idea of a higher power, with references to "Jah" (a Rastafarian term for God), and suggests that ultimately justice will be served.


The repeated phrase "all along that day" creates a sense of impending doom and finality, implying that the downpressor man's fate is already sealed. The imagery of the boiling sea and melting rocks emphasizes the severity of the situation and the impossibility of escape. By contrast, the downpressor man is portrayed as frivolous and out of touch, drinking champagne and laughing while ignoring the impending consequences of his actions. The final lines of the song suggest that even attempts to seek refuge in the law or in bribery will be futile.


Overall, "Downpressor Man" is a powerful commentary on the nature of oppression and justice, and the ultimate futility of attempting to escape the consequences of one's actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Downpresser man
Addressing the person who oppresses and discriminates, putting them in a negative light.


Where you gonna run to
Asking where the oppressor will go when they are held accountable for their actions.


All along that day
Throughout the day, the oppressor will face the consequences of their actions.


You gonna run to the sea
The oppressor will try to escape to the sea.


The sea will be boiling
Due to the damage that the oppressor has caused, the sea will be ruined and no longer provide safety.


You gonna run to the rocks
The oppressor will try to hide behind the rocks.


The rocks will be melting
The safety that the oppressor seeks behind the rocks will be destroyed as they will be exposed under the scrutiny of their actions.


You drink your big champagne and laugh
The oppressor takes pleasure in their evil deeds and their privileged position in society that allows them to do so.


I wouldn't like to be a flea under your collar man
Even the smallest creatures would not want to be associated with the oppressor.


You can run but you can't hide
The oppressor will try to escape from their actions, but they will always be held accountable and there will be consequences that they will have to face.


You gonna run to the law Beggin' to hide you
The oppressor will resort to seeking protection from the law once they realize they cannot escape their actions.


You gonna run to jah Beggin' to hide you
The oppressor will also try to seek forgiveness and a way to escape from their actions through religion (Jah).


Downpresser man, you can't run, you can't bribe jah-jah
The oppressor cannot escape their actions by running or trying to bribe their way out, even through religion.


Them no want no money, Them run'f money, That money gets funny
The people who hold power and control don't care about money; they have power and money already, so trying to bribe them proves useless.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@geradoalt9350

I am born in 1950.
Last year i have visit jamaika
Together with my doughter Shanthi, mother from Sri lanka
When i met the locals i start to sing songs like that , Bob Marley and from all the others
I Covered my eyes behind the sunglass. Tears were running down behind.
It was the best journey in my live.
I had visit some other places in that whole wide world.
I am still a Hippie, but an old one.
But still the same and that's good.❤😂



@pedropaulogaspar3021

Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day

You gonna run to the sea
But the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
All along that day

You gonna run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
I said, all along that day

So I said
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day

You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
All along that day

I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
All along that day

You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
Telling you all along that day

You gonna run to the law
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to the law
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to jah
Beggin' to hide you
All, all along that day

And I said downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Where you gonna run to downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said all along
Along that day (downpresser man)
Downpresser man, downpresser man
Downpresser man, downpresser man

Wait, downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
I don't know where you gonna run to
All along that day

Downpresser man
You can't run, you can't bribe jah-jah
Can't call him in a bar
Fe can drink some
Devil soup
Can't bribe him to run a car now
Can't test him faith
Downpresser man, don't, downpresser man
I said, downpresser man, don't run, downpresser man
Downpresser man, where you gonna run to

Downpresser man
You can't bribe no one
Them no want no money
Them run'f money
That money gets funny

Downpresser man



@elmoselmo

Homem opressor
Para onde você vai correr
Homem opressor
Para onde você vai correr
Homem opressor
Para onde você vai correr
Durante todo aquele dia
Você vai correr para o mar
Mas o mar estará fervendo
Quando você correr para o mar
O mar estará fervendo
O mar estará fervendo
Durante todo aquele dia
Você vai correr para as rochas
As rochas estarão derretendo



@kenyaL93

DownPresserMan
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day
()
You gonna run to the sea
But the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boilingAll along that day
You gonna run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melitngAll that day
So I said
You drink your big champagne and laughAll along that day
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
All along that day
You can run but you can't hideTelling you all along that day
You gonna run to the Lord
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to Jah
Beggin' to hide you
All, all along that day
And I said Downpresser Man
Where you gonna run to
Where you gonna run to Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said all along
All along, along that day Downpresser manWait, Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
I don't know where you gonna run to
All along that day
Downpresser man
You can't run, you can't bribe Jah-Jah
Can't call him in a bar
Fe can drink some
Devil soup
Can't bribe him to run a car now
Can't test him faith
Downpresser manWhere you gonna run to
Downpresser man
You can't bribe no one
Them no want no money
Them run'f money
That money get funny
Downpresser Man...



All comments from YouTube:

@queenofpunt

I'm a 24 year old East-African girl (Somali Ethiopian 🇸🇴🇪🇹) . I live abroad because we had to flee our home country (civil war) Peter's music has helped me with alot. I am truly touched by Peter Tosh's music and im so grateful for it. His made me smile time and time again in my childhood till now. Thank you Peter for making a difference in my life. RIP .Thank you Jamaica for giving us so many influental artists. We love you.

@yakiclone1

hi

@ollirasp4597

👍🏼 Ya man. Peter Tosh is a Legend. Greetingz from germany. One Love,.one world.

@carriejuska3384

♥️

@regnierdeherde1651

Bless you.Hope the future will be bright for you.

@queenofpunt

@regnier de herde Thank you, bless you too.

140 More Replies...

@tsunami5596

These powerful heartfelt lyrics will touch spirits until the end of times💯🔥

@thomasdevaul911

Amen

@Leon-ch5qz

I have been listening to this song a lot lately. Especially with everything going on in the world now. Peter was awesomeness.

@jasonarmes7639

I've listened to this song from birth your right

More Comments

More Versions