The Other Cheek
Tanya Stephens Lyrics
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and nobody nah listen all along
So dem want me to put it
In the form of a song
Cause is like seh, oonu betray we trust
So this is to all of you from all of us
Verse 1
telling us stop the crime
Is like beating a child
and telling him not to cry
With all the highways you a build
and go through
You never build a little avenue
Fi di youths dem earn a buck,
things a run a muck
tell me what the fuk
You really think a go happen
If dem enuh earn a buck gun a buss
and none of us
really want that shit to happen
You mistah, you know me nah try fi dis ya
but everything no so criss ya
we jus a look a little help prime ministah
Chorus
Do you expect me to turn
the other cheek
taste my tears and admit defeat
do you expect me to listen
when you speak
You never ever practice what you prech
Do you expect me to still come
out and vote
No matter what happens
were always broke
and the people seh dem
tired of being poor
a that the emperess a chant
and the lion a roar
Verse 2
Even the richest man haffi go
learn fi tek a stance when
them realize seh dem no safe
inna dem mansion
is a tough way fi learn seh yuh
no really secure
when the problems of the poor
come kick dung yuh door
the youths dem a get 2000 guns
fi everyone oonu cease
instead of treating the symptoms
why dont you cure the disease
You know things must really get wicked
When your paycheck is less
than your speeding ticket
mistah, you know we nah try fi dis ya
But everything no so criss sah
we just a beg a little help prime ministah
Do you expect me to turn
the other cheek
taste my tears and admit defeat
do you expect me to listen
when you speak
You never ever practice what you prech
Do you expect me to still come
out and vote
No matter what happens
were always broke
and the people seh dem
tired of being poor
a that the emperess a chant
and the lion a roar
Well we say, money fi run and
it fi run inna bundle
let it go a rema let it go dung a jungle
dung a garden need fi water
right down to the dirt
when last you touch a maverlywhen
last you go Kirk
Oonu better fire up the oven
oonu need fi start bake
and the brook valley man dem need a slice a di cake
well the man dem outa east dem ready fi
put down the gun
a nuh war dem love war
but the food haffi run
Well white hall and Red Hills road,
you know dem have a little message fi disclosed
it goes like dis, mistah
yuh ego big
yuh mighta think we a dis ya
But everything no so criss sah
we jus a look a little help
prime ministah
Do you expect me to turn
the other cheek
taste my tears and admit defeat
do you expect me to listen
when you speak
You never ever practice what you prech
Do you expect me to still come
out and vote
No matter what happens
were always broke
and the people seh dem
tired of being poor
a that the emperess a chant
and the lion a roar
In Tanya Stephens's song, "The Other Cheek," the singer addresses the lack of opportunities provided to young people in her community. She says that despite the government's urging to stop crime and providing highways, they have not created avenues for youths to earn money. The singer argues that if the youth cannot earn a living in a legitimate way, then they will turn to more dangerous and violent options, such as crime. She emphasizes that the government needs to help its citizens, particularly the poor, instead of simply telling them what to do.
The chorus of the song questions the government's actions and hypocritical preaching. Stephens asks whether the government expects her to continue to blindly follow and support them, despite their failure to bring about change. She speaks for the oppressed masses who are tired of being poor and ignored by their leaders. In verse two, Stephens warns that even the richest are not safe when the problems of the poor come knocking. She urges the government to address the root causes of the problems, rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Overall, "The Other Cheek" is a powerful social commentary on the government's failure to create a better society for its citizens. The song highlights the frustration and disillusionment that many people feel towards their leaders.
Line by Line Meaning
The people dem seh dem a talk and nobody nah listen all along
People are speaking but no one is listening to them.
So dem want me to put it In the form of a song
People want the message to be delivered through a song.
Cause is like seh, oonu betray we trust So this is to all of you from all of us
It feels like people have betrayed their trust, so this song is for everyone.
Providing no jobs and telling us stop the crime
Without providing jobs, telling people to stop committing crimes is useless.
Is like beating a child and telling him not to cry
Asking someone to do something without providing the means to do it is like punishing a child for crying.
With all the highways you a build and go through
The government is building highways, but not providing avenues for young people to earn a living.
You never build a little avenue Fi di youths dem earn a buck, things a run a muck
The government has failed to create opportunities for young people, resulting in chaos.
tell me what the fuk You really think a go happen If dem enuh earn a buck gun a buss and none of us really want that shit to happen
If young people can't earn a living, there will be violence and no one wants that.
Even the richest man haffi go learn fi tek a stance when them realize seh dem no safe inna dem mansion is a tough way fi learn seh yuh no really secure when the problems of the poor come kick dung yuh door
Even the rich are not safe when the problems of the poor start to affect them directly.
the youths dem a get 2000 guns fi everyone oonu cease instead of treating the symptoms why dont you cure the disease
Young people are getting guns, which is a symptom of a larger problem that needs to be addressed.
When your paycheck is less than your speeding ticket
When your income is less than your fines, it shows how unfair the system is.
Well we say, money fi run and it fi run inna bundle let it go a rema let it go dung a jungle dung a garden need fi water right down to the dirt when last you touch a maverlywhen last you go Kirk
Money should run and circulate in society, reaching every part of it, even the poorest areas.
Well white hall and Red Hills road, you know dem have a little message fi disclosed it goes like dis, mistah yuh ego big yuh mighta think we a dis ya
People have a message for the government to disclose about their big ego and thinking people are disrespecting them.
Do you expect me to turn the other cheek taste my tears and admit defeat do you expect me to listen when you speak You never ever practice what you prech Do you expect me to still come out and vote No matter what happens were always broke and the people seh dem tired of being poor a that the emperess a chant and the lion a roar
The government is not practicing what they preach, and people are tired of being poor, yet they are expected to vote and accept their fate without complaining.
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rosemarie Smith
2022 and this song is still playing..solid words from my favorite female artist ❤
Patrick Ramsay
It's funny how in the Jamaican music scene so many amazing songs have been made over the decades by males with a political message but with this track a woman has just said it in a way no one has before. This song is a classic, and yes I am a bloke, and tanya stephens is an awesome lyricist
danito english
need more artists like this. she's great
Sule Dickinson
Most lyrical female reggae artist...
Louise Willie
2021 and I'm still digging this song. Short and sweet message
Keisha Bailey
2019 and still the Realest song ever. Love Tanya❤.
Shashe Charles
Tanya,you speak truth and to the point. I love you! Stay on the path you are on,bless.
Gereeka Gray
One of the realest artist in Jamaica. 2019 and still listening this
Stanley Stamiri
Message good for politicians and voters......much love to Tanya Stephens!
Paradigm Shifter 01
Real real tune. 2016 and this song is as true of jamaica, s economic situation as it was when it was first written. Thanks for highlighting it with such creativity Tanya. We need more artistes like you, I Wayne, Assassin aka Sasco.