In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Yeah man we saw holy Emmanuel I Selassie I, Jah Ah
Them righteousness and salvation for the Black African nation
Yes Black man and Black woman be strong
Trod Along
Now is the time to go
Find your love Africa's creation
Now is the time to go
We won't be slave by no other nation
The people will suffer if they doesn't hear
System them design is only to murder them
Ooh We need to help up each other's yeah ay ay
Uh. Do it already, so we can do it again
They will suffer if they doesn't hear
Ooh system them design a murder them
Oh we need to help up each other's yeah ay ay oh
Do it already so we can
Everyone is searching to find a way home hey
Enclosed in the dungeon of darkness aware we only have our souls hey
No one has anytime for love neither Respect for the words
Busy getting caught, doing all sort
Trying to please the evilous world ah
Try to be free
No longer wants to be whereas furniture's we have been sold yow
We all shall live
It doesn't cost us breeze
Africa we all coming home
Ooh. Them ah go suffer if them nah go hear
System them design is only for murder them
Yes we need to help up each other's yeah ay
Oh do it already. So we can do it all again
They shall suffer if they doesn't hear
Wo oh oh. Ah that a murder them
Yes we need to help up each other's yeah ay oh
Rasta do it already that mean we do it again
Every morning they see themselves doing the same thing ow ow ow
Until the dawning.
They slave for a wealth; which can't do a thing ooh
You not for neglect the farming
The true and righteous way that we should all be living oh
Take away them get caught in
Colonial life a cause bare killing
A that them teach you say
Then run come put you hear
Well this here time it is a riotm, yow
No matter what you say me nah go lay lay
So Babylon just stand quiet
Because they shall suffer if they doesn't hear
Oh the system them design a murder them
Yes we need to help out each other's yeah ay
Oh do it already so we can do it again
Yes. Them ah go suffer if them nah go hear
Oi. System Babylon design a murder them
Yes. We need to help out each other's yeah
Oh do it already so we can do it again
Everyone is searching find a way home, hey
Enclosed in the dungeon of darkness where Rastafari is our soul
Them righteousness and salvation for the Black African nation
Yes Black man and Black woman be strong
Trod Along
Now is the time to go
Find your love Africa's creation
Now is the time to go
We won't be slave by no other nation
The people will suffer if they doesn't hear
System them design is only to murder them
Ooh We need to help up each other's yeah ay ay
Uh. Do it already, so we can do it again
They will suffer if they doesn't hear
Ooh system them design a murder them
Oh we need to help up each other's yeah ay ay oh
Do it already so we can
Everyone is searching to find a way home hey
Enclosed in the dungeon of darkness aware we only have our souls hey
No one has anytime for love neither Respect for the words
Busy getting caught, doing all sort
Trying to please the evilous world ah
Try to be free
No longer wants to be whereas furniture's we have been sold yow
We all shall live
It doesn't cost us breeze
Africa we all coming home
Ooh. Them ah go suffer if them nah go hear
System them design is only for murder them
Yes we need to help up each other's yeah ay
Oh do it already. So we can do it all again
They shall suffer if they doesn't hear
Wo oh oh. Ah that a murder them
Yes we need to help up each other's yeah ay oh
Rasta do it already that mean we do it again
Every morning they see themselves doing the same thing ow ow ow
Until the dawning.
They slave for a wealth; which can't do a thing ooh
You not for neglect the farming
The true and righteous way that we should all be living oh
Take away them get caught in
Colonial life a cause bare killing
A that them teach you say
Then run come put you hear
Well this here time it is a riotm, yow
No matter what you say me nah go lay lay
So Babylon just stand quiet
Because they shall suffer if they doesn't hear
Oh the system them design a murder them
Yes we need to help out each other's yeah ay
Oh do it already so we can do it again
Yes. Them ah go suffer if them nah go hear
Oi. System Babylon design a murder them
Yes. We need to help out each other's yeah
Oh do it already so we can do it again
Everyone is searching find a way home, hey
Enclosed in the dungeon of darkness where Rastafari is our soul
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dem Ago Suffer Lyrics as written by Miguel Collins Kemar Mcgregor
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, DIGITAL 1 MEDIA SERVICES INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.