Slave Driver
The Wailers Lyrics


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Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh. Oo-oo-ooh! Oo-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, you gonna get burn (catch your fire) wo, now!

Every time I hear the crack of a whip
My blood runs cold
I remember on the slave ship
How they brutalize the very souls
Today they say that we are free
Only to be chained in poverty
Good God, I think it's illiteracy
It's only a machine that makes money
Slave driver, the table is turn, you'll ooh-ooh-oo-ooh

Slave driver, uh! The table is turn, baby, now (catch your fire)
(Catch your fire) so you can get burn, baby, now (catch your fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
(Catch your fire) so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)

Every time I hear the crack of a whip
My blood runs cold
I remember on the slave ship
How they brutalize your very soul

Oh God, have mercy on our souls!
Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn (catch your fire)




Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 'Slave Driver' by The Wailers speak against slavery and the inhuman treatment of slaves. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase 'catch your fire,' which refers to the concept of karma, that is, the oppressive slave drivers will eventually face a similar fate. The lyrics go on to describe the horrific and brutal treatment of slaves during the colonial period, and how even after the end of slavery, people continued to be chained in poverty. The metaphorical reference to 'illiteracy' here implies the lack of knowledge and understanding of the system that kept them suppressed and shackled.


Moreover, the lyrics further talk about how the sound of the whip still sends shivers down their spine, as they remember the time when their very souls were subjected to brutalization on the slave ship. The song's impactful lyrics serve as a reminder of the atrocities committed in history and the need to continue working towards a more equal and just society.


Overall, 'Slave Driver' holds a strong message against oppression and enslavement, and the lyrics highlight the underlying themes of rebellion and revolutionary movement against the oppressive system.


Line by Line Meaning

Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
The song addresses the slave drivers who oppressed and tortured slaves, and now they will face the consequences of their actions.


Catch your fire, so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)
The lyrics convey a message to the slave drivers, asking them to understand the gravity of their actions and to prepare themselves for punishment.


Every time I hear the crack of a whip My blood runs cold I remember on the slave ship How they brutalize the very souls
The reference to the crack of a whip evokes memories of the cruelty inflicted on slaves, perhaps on a slave ship, and how it traumatized them for life.


Today they say that we are free Only to be chained in poverty Good God, I think it's illiteracy It's only a machine that makes money
The song highlights how the former slaves are still oppressed, living in poverty, and denied equal opportunities, while also criticizing the capitalist system that values profit over humanity.


Oh God, have mercy on our souls! Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire) Catch your fire, so you can get burn (catch your fire) Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire) Catch your fire, so you can get burn
The song ends with a plea to God for mercy and the repetition of the chorus, reminding the slave drivers that their time of reckoning has come.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@theloniouscoltrane3778

"Slave Driver"

Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh. Oo-oo-ooh! Oo-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: gonna get burn. (catch a fire) Wo, now!

Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very souls.
Today they say that we are free,
Only to be chained in poverty.
Good God, I think it's illiteracy;
It's only a machine that makes money.
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all. Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh.

Slave driver, uh! The table is turn, baby, now; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, baby, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)

Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very soul.

O God, have mercy on our souls!
Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire ... [fadeout]



@eddymanijean6794

Slave Driver (Esclavagiste)

Slave driver the table is turned
Esclavagiste les choses ont changé
Catch a fire so you can get burned
Attrape un feu et tu peux te brûler
Slave driver your table is turned
Esclavagiste tes choses ont changé
Catch your fire, you're gonna get burned
Attrape ton feu, tu vas te brûler





Ev'ry time I hear the crack of a whip
Chaque fois que j'entends le claquement d'un fouet
My blood runs cold
Mon sang se glace

I remember on the slave ship
Je me rappelle sur le bateau d'esclaves
How they brutalised their very souls
Comment ils brutalisaient nos âmes
Today they say that we are free
Aujourd'hui ils disent que nous sommes libres
Only to be chained in poverty
Seulement d'être enchaînés dans la pauvreté

Good god, I think it's all illiteraci
Bon Dieu, je crois que tout ca est illégal
It's only a machine that makes money
C'est seulement une machine qui fait de l'argent



@eddymanijean6794

Slave Driver (Marchand D'esclaves)

Slave driver the table is turned
Marchant d'esclaves les choses ont changé
Catch a fire so you can get burned
Attrape un feu et tu peux te brûler
Slave driver your table is turned
Marchant d'esclaves tes choses ont changé
Catch your fire, you're gonna get burned
Attrape ton feu, tu vas te brûler





Ev'ry time I hear the crack of a whip
Chaque fois que j'entends le claquement d'un fouet
My blood runs cold
Mon sang se glace

I remember on the slave ship
Je me rappelle sur le bateau d'esclaves
How they brutalised their very souls
Comment ils brutalisaient nos âmes
Today they say that we are free
Aujourd'hui ils disent que nous sommes libres
Only to be chained in poverty
Seulement d'être enchaînés dans la pauvreté

Good god, I think it's all illiteraci
Bon Dieu, je crois que tout ca est illégal
It's only a machine that makes money
C'est seulement une machine qui fait de l'argent



All comments from YouTube:

@Polygor2

I prefer the Jamaican version of the album as everything sounds clearer

@maryajones3147

The very 1st Bob Marley and the Wailers album I ever purchased👌

@Johnelienyc187

Same here

@adhominemsis-t.australisensis

And the best!

@annalishagoring

@@adhominemsis-t.australisensis one of the best yes

@WMAGene

This song pours from the speakers like slow syrup. Delicious!

@marcelo_koman

Sweet and Saucy

@Zlervo

Yes please 😍

@levicanterbury797

Um

@kevincarrillo9627

Amén

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