Jungle
Prince Buster & The Maytals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come on live a little
Broadway [Repeat: x 2]

One last stop in the jungle
Leave for the first time
We died in the jungle
At the hands of a man

We're all in the jungle
Couldn't find a way
So Come on the jungle
Man to man

When we really don't know this jungle
Which way to jump and dance
Jump in the line
Rock your body in time

Everything is alright
We're going to Broadway
For the first time
We're out of the jungle

Everything is alright
Ohh
Come on live a little
Broadway [Repeat: x 2]

We're out of the jungle
We're going to Broadway
Come on boys, come on girls
Let's jump in the line

Rock your body in time

Everything is alright
Let's go to Broadway

Overall Meaning

The song "The Jungle" by Prince Buster & The Maytals is an upbeat tune that discusses the transition from living in the hardships of the jungle to the glitz and glamour of Broadway in New York City. The lyrics encourage listeners to take risks and "live a little" by leaving the jungle behind and venturing to new places. The line "One last stop in the jungle" suggests that the group has been living in the jungle for some time, but it is time to move on. However, it is also clear that the jungle has been a difficult place to survive as evidenced by the lyric "We died in the jungle at the hands of a man."

The repeated refrain "Jump in the line, rock your body in time" urges listeners to not only physically dance, but to also have confidence and trust that everything will turn out alright in the end. The idea is that by jumping into the unknown, you can end up in a place where "everything is alright," as long as you keep moving forward. The song ultimately ends on a positive note with a call to action to "jump in the line" and head to Broadway.

Line by Line Meaning

Come on live a little
Encouragement to loosen up and enjoy life

Broadway [Repeat: x 2]
Reference to a happier, more glamorous place

One last stop in the jungle
Taking a chance to leave a difficult or uncomfortable situation

Leave for the first time
Embarking on a new experience

We died in the jungle
The challenges faced in the past

At the hands of a man
The potential danger or treachery of people in the jungle

We're all in the jungle
Feeling overwhelmed and lost in life

Couldn't find a way
Feeling stuck and unable to make progress

So Come on the jungle
Encouragement to take a risk and confront challenges head-on

Man to man
Dealing with difficulty and competition among peers

When we really don't know this jungle
Admitting ignorance and uncertainty about life