Trench Town Rock
The Wailers Lyrics


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One good thing about music, when it hits ya
(You feel no pain)
Wo-wo-wo, I say
One good thing about music, when it hits ya
(you feel no pain)
Hit me with music, yeah, hit me with music now!

This is (Trench Town Rock) don't watch that
(Trench Town Rock) big fish or sprat now
(Trench Town Rock) you reap what you sow
(Trench Town Rock) and only Jah-Jah know
(Trench Town Rock) I never turn my back
(Trench Town Rock) I give the slum a try
(Trench Town Rock) I never let the children cry
(Trench Town Rock) 'cause you got to tell Jah-Jah why
(Groovin') It's Kingston twelve
(Groovin') It's Kingston twelve
(Groovin') It's Kingston twelve, now
(Groovin') It's Kingston twelve
(No want you fe galang so) oh no!
(No want you fe galang so) scaba-dip, scaba
(You want come cold I up) scaba-diba-dip, scaba-dip, scaba-dip
(But you can't come cold I up)
Wo-wo-wo, I'm a groover
And the world know by now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, y'all
Oh now, I say, you feel no pain now
One good thing about music
When it hits ya (you feel no pain) feel no pain
Hit me with music, now, wo now
Hit me with music now
Hit me with music, 'arder, brutalize me!
(Hit me with music!)

This is (Trench Town Rock) I say don't watch that
(Trench Town Rock) if you are big fish or sprat
(Trench Town Rock) you reap what you sow
(Trench Town Rock) I, everyone know now
(Trench Town Rock) don't turn your back!
(Trench Town Rock) I say, give a slum a try
(Trench Town Rock) never let the children cry
(Trench Town Rock) or you got to tell Jah-Jah why
It's Kingston twelve
(Groovin') it's Kingston twelve
(Groovin') I said, it's Kingston twelve now
(Groovin') wo-wo-wo-wo, it's Kingston twelve
(No want you fe galang so) since I told you that
(No want you fe galang so) we should live with love
(You want come cold I up) and I don't do that
(But you can't come cold I up) I look da now
And then it's Kingston twelve, uh!
Good God, look a-here now (you feel no pain) uh!
Hit me with music, yeah, come on (hit me with music)
(Hit me with music), oh my brother (hit me with music) brutalize me!
(Hit me with music) oh hurt me (hit me with music)
We can trash this ourselves!
(Hit me with music)
(Trench Town Rock) don't call no cop
(Rock) we can trash things ourselves
(Trench Town Rock) got no stacks on no shelves




But let me tell ya, behave yourselves!
(Trench Town Rock)

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "Trench Town Rock" by The Wailers is a celebration of music itself as a source of joy and escape from pain. Bob Marley, the lead singer of the band, sings about how music hits you and instantly takes you away from any pain you may be feeling. He repeats the line "one good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain" multiple times to emphasize the power of music to provide a sense of relief. The chorus of the song refers to Kingston twelve which is Trench Town, a neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica where Bob Marley grew up. The song talks about the struggles of living in a ghetto and the hard life people face there.


In the second verse, Marley acknowledges the hardships of living in Trench Town which is represented in the lines "you reap what you sow". Referring to the idea that whatever you put out into the world is what comes back to you. He emphasizes the importance of not turning your back on the community and never letting the children cry. The song also contains call-and-response lyrics, with Marley singing a line and the backup singers responding with a variation of it. The song ends with Marley alluding to the possibility of change when he says "we can trash things ourselves", suggesting that the community can come together to make positive changes.


Line by Line Meaning

One good thing about music, when it hits ya
Music has the ability to affect people in a positive way.


(You feel no pain)
Music can make you forget your worries and pain.


This is (Trench Town Rock) don't watch that
This song represents the spirit of Trench Town and should be respected.


(Trench Town Rock) big fish or sprat now
Everyone, regardless of their social status, will reap what they sow.


(Trench Town Rock) you reap what you sow
Your actions will determine the consequences you face.


(Trench Town Rock) and only Jah-Jah know
Ultimately, only God knows the true intentions and fate of individuals.


(Trench Town Rock) I never turn my back
I will always stand by my community.


(Trench Town Rock) I give the slum a try
I will work to improve the living conditions in the slums.


(Trench Town Rock) I never let the children cry
I will work to ensure a better future for the children in the community.


(Trench Town Rock) 'cause you got to tell Jah-Jah why
Your actions will have consequences and you will be held accountable.


(Groovin') It's Kingston twelve
Kingston twelve is a place where people can groove and have a good time.


(No want you fe galang so) oh no!
Don't act in a way that is disrespectful or harmful to others.


(No want you fe galang so) scaba-dip, scaba
Don't act like a fool.


(You want come cold I up) scaba-diba-dip, scaba-dip, scaba-dip
You are not capable of intimidating or overpowering me.


(But you can't come cold I up)
I am not easily intimidated.


I'm a groover
I love to dance and enjoy music.


And the world know by now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, y'all
My love for music and my community is well-known.


Hit me with music, now
Play some music and let me dance!


Hit me with music, 'arder, brutalize me!
Play some energetic and powerful music that I can really dance to!


(Rock) we can trash things ourselves
We don't need the police to handle any problems that may arise.


But let me tell ya, behave yourselves!
We need to respect each other and our community to create a positive environment.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@WILODSM

All the people who saw Bob performed live: you guys are the luckiest people that ever put feet on this earth!!!!!!

@1pittmanj

I agree with that statement 1000 percent. So jealous

@ColbyYadz

@@1pittmanj you did see it. in this video. i know its not much, but imagine the odds of being born in a time you can even be able to witness this, and even moreso what will come BECAUSE of it! enjoy your ride of life and see what comes from all this crazy beautiful music

@p.b.-letspickacardandsee8576

Saw The Wailers in Liverpool live! 👍🏿
WHAT a gig 😎
✌🏿❤️💛💚
😇

@Arthookitup

Santa Cruz civic auditorium ❤️💛💚

@anitakos1375

💚💚💚❤️❤️❤️

47 More Replies...

@warriorhippie

This song does something unexplainable to my soul.

@furahdread8330

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTnzetmc45w&list=TLPQMTMxMjIwMjEjesn57Ruhfg&index=26

@caingerdanger

Amen

@response207

you reap what you sow

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