Justice
Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers Lyrics

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Justice, people say, justice
Justice, brother say, justice

Judge me if I am weak
Judge me if I am strong
Judge my days and all life long
They let the baby cry, let the mama cry
And youths like I and I have to cry

For justice, one, one, one word prayer
Justice, who yea, justice, justice

Is like a good friend
Who long time we don't see
Why they taking liberty
Who, is like a good friend
Who long time we don't see
Why they taking liberty, with I and I and I

Justice, yea yea yea
Justice, now not later, justice
Justice, people say

For I and I, justice, justice
Justice, where are you
Justice, look what they do

They make the innocent cry
The innocent cry
Look what they do to Garvey
They make the innocent die
They make the innocent die
How dem lie on Steve Biko

Justice, justice, the one word prayer
Justice, who yea, justice
The poor man cry, why do they do the wrong
Justice, they make me sing this song

Justice, who yea woa, mmmh, yea, yea
Justice, justice, desert me not
Justice, they are on my back

Justice, the more the tears
The more, the more we want, justice, justice

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Justice" by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers speak to the longing for fairness and equality in society. The song is a call for justice for all, specifically for individuals who are being mistreated and dealt with unjustly.

The chorus of the song begins with "Justice, people say, justice, brother say, justice." This repetition of "justice" emphasizes the importance of the word and the need for it to be heard and acted upon. The idea of being judged is also brought up in the lyrics, with the lines "judge me if I am weak, judge me if I am strong, judge my days and all life long." This highlights the idea that individuals are constantly being scrutinized and judged, and calls for a just system that will treat everyone equally.

The lyrics also bring up the mistreatment of "the innocent," such as Marcus Garvey and Steve Biko, who were both important figures in black history and were unjustly treated. The repetition of the line "they make the innocent cry" emphasizes the pain felt by those who are mistreated and underscores the need for justice.

Overall, the song is a powerful message calling for equal treatment and justice for all, regardless of race or social status.

Line by Line Meaning

Justice, people say, justice
People demand justice

Justice, brother say, justice
Brothers demand justice

Judge me if I am weak
People judge me if I show vulnerability

Judge me if I am strong
People judge me if I show strength

Judge my days and all life long
People judge me throughout my life

They let the baby cry, let the mama cry
Even babies and their mothers suffer injustice

And youths like I and I have to cry
Young people like me and others suffer injustice

For justice, one, one, one word prayer
Justice is the ultimate prayer

Justice, who yea, justice, justice
Demanding justice

Is like a good friend
Justice is like a long lost friend