Formed
1967, Kingston, Jamaica
Members
Albert Griffiths, Errol Grandison (1967-73), David Webber (1967-69), Clinton Fearon (1969-87), Gallimore Sutherland (died in January 2017)
2. Gladiators is progressive metalcore band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Lancaster is a cultural hub located amongst five major U.S. cities known for bringing audiences together in the vibrant music scene exclusive to the region. GLADIATORS work tirelessly to set themselves apart and establish a new frontier in the genre of metal. They bring a fresh perspective and direction to a scene that has developed a specific sound.
Members
Michael Hart (vocals), Josh Krantz (guitar), Caleb Stoltzfus (drums), Bernard Stabley (bass)
Stop Before You Go
the Gladiators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you'll get hurt and that's for sure
look before you leap, I say
to prevent is better than have it to cure
open your eyes and see, mmm
observantly, you will understand
so easy will you go, ah ah ah
way over younder
where the gooses gander
running to and fro
thinking that everything a fit
they never stop to look
but soon they'll fall in a bottomless pit
I'm referring to mankind, yeah
Stop before you go, right now
you'll get hurt and that's for sure
look before you leap, I say
to prevent is better than have it to cure
Measure twice and cut once
by doing so you can't go wrong
it's better to be locked away in a cave
than to be an oppressor's slave
they work you down to the grave
they'll give you a 6 for a 9
watch your step, I say, mankind
Stop before ...
The Gladiators’ song “Stop Before You Go” is a metaphoric call to action, a warning message aimed at those who are about to take actions that could potentially lead to harm. The song starts with a plea to stop and think before acting: “Stop before you go, right now, you'll get hurt and that's for sure,” indicating that going ahead without thinking could cause harm. The lyrics then suggest that one should look before taking any steps, as prevention is better than cure. The song then goes on to exhort people to be observant and understand their surroundings.
The lyrics also allude to the idea that rushing through life without taking a moment to look at the bigger picture could lead to disastrous consequences. The line “way over yonder/where the gooses gander/running to and fro/thinking that everything’s a fit” describes people who are blindly rushing around, without stopping to think about their actions. The warning here is that if we don’t pause to look at what we are doing, we could end up in a “bottomless pit.”
The song ends with an analogy suggesting that it is far better to be safe and cautious than to end up being oppressed by the actions of others. The line “it's better to be locked away in a cave/than to be an oppressor's slave” highlights the importance of being aware of the dangers around us and making informed decisions. In essence, the song’s message is that we should stop, look, and listen before taking any action.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop before you go, right now
Pause and reflect on your current actions before proceeding any further
you'll get hurt and that's for sure
Continuing without thinking can result in harm or negative consequences
look before you leap, I say
Consider the risks and potential outcomes of your actions before taking them
to prevent is better than have it to cure
It's easier and less painful to avoid problems than address them after they have already occurred
open your eyes and see, mmm
Observe your surroundings and pay attention to what is happening
observantly, you will understand
By paying close attention, you can gain a better understanding of the situation
so easy will you go, ah ah ah
If you take heed of these warnings, your journey will be smoother and easier
can't you see what 's going on
The artist is asking the listener to pay attention to the events around them
way over yonder
Refers to a distant, unknown location
where the gooses gander
A playful reference to the nursery rhyme 'The Old Grey Goose is Dead'
running to and fro
People are constantly moving around in a chaotic manner
thinking that everything a fit
Assuming that everything will work out fine without taking precautions
they never stop to look
People are not pausing to observe and reflect on their actions
but soon they'll fall in a bottomless pit
If people continue without thinking, they will eventually face catastrophic consequences
I'm referring to mankind, yeah
The singer is referring to humans as a whole
Measure twice and cut once
It's better to plan and prepare than to try to fix mistakes later
by doing so you can't go wrong
Taking the time to plan reduces the risk of errors
it's better to be locked away in a cave
It's better to be alone and protected than at risk of harm
than to be an oppressor's slave
Being in a position of powerlessness is worse than being alone
they work you down to the grave
Oppressors will continue to use and abuse those under their control until they die
they'll give you a 6 for a 9
Oppressors will manipulate the truth and reality for their own benefit
watch your step, I say, mankind
The artist is once again urging caution and thoughtful action on the part of humanity
Stop before ...
The song ends with a final warning to stop and consider actions before proceeding
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aroldo Diniz
Amazing!
goodnewsforever
no hate in comments regarding this music!
Scott Paynter
Huh?