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.
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Said, said, said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
Oba observing the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way (way)
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say and
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Said, said, said, I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone, I mean
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
So woman, no cry
No no woman, no woman, no cry
Oh my little sister, don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Oh my little darlin', say don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry, ay
Little darling, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Little sister, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Said, said, said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
Oba observing the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way (way)
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say and
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Said, said, said, I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone, I mean
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
Everything's gonna be all right
So woman, no cry
No no woman, no woman, no cry
Oh my little sister, don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry
I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I'll share with you
My feet is my only carriage
So I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone
No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Oh my little darlin', say don't shed no tears
No woman, no cry, ay
Little darling, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
Little sister, don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry
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To me , this song is about his cancer. My theory could be completely wrong- Im not even sure he knew he had cancer when he wrote this song, but afterall it is just a theory.
'My feet is my only carriage so I've got to push on through but while I'm gone (I mean it) ev'rything's gonna be allright'
That verse explains it really! He has to push on through but is telling his lover not to cry while he is gone... It sounds like he is going through his happy memories, remembering what a good life he has had. Hmm, reading through what i have wrote it seems i haven't explained it too well! I think you'll understand what i mean. Just an opinion.