Bruises On Me Back
Classic roots-reggae groove with a deep, rolling bassline and syncopated drums drives the track. Skanking guitars punctuate each bar, while organ bubbles underneath. Brass accents add urgency in the chorus. Percussion layers—congas and shakers—enrich the lamenting feel.
Bruises On Me Back
Classic roots-reggae groove with a deep, rolling bassline and syncopated drums drives the track. Skanking guitars punctuate each bar, while organ bubbles underneath. Brass accents add urgency in the chorus. Percussion layers—congas and shakers—enrich the lamenting feel.
Lyrics
Intro – plaintive chant, distant echo
Bruises on me back…
But still mi spirit strong…
Bruises on me back…
Jah know, this cyan’t be love…
Verse 1
Every night mi cry ina silence,
Dem seh mi too small for defiance.
But mi heart know truth, mi cyaan deny,
Love nah go come wid a fist inna mi eye.
Schoolyard smile, mi hide di pain,
Tears fall quiet like a secret rain.
Nobody see when mi shoulder bend,
But bruises tell story weh nuh pretend.
Chorus – harmonies echo
Bruises on me back, scars on me skin,
But mi soul cyaan break, light still within.
Bruises on me back, tears on me cheek,
Mi still a child who want love, who seek.
Bruises on me back…
But mi spirit nah crack.
Verse 2
System blind, dem look away,
Pickney suffer night an’ day.
Mama voice cut deeper than lash,
Promise of love turn smoke an’ ash.
Still mi sing, mi nah bow low,
Mi pain a fire weh Babylon know.
From mi heart mi send dis plea,
Love nuh hurt, set di children free.
Chorus – fuller, stronger
Bruises on me back, scars on me skin,
But mi soul cyaan break, light still within.
Bruises on me back, tears on me cheek,
Mi still a child who want love, who seek.
Bruises on me back…
But mi spirit nah crack.
Bridge – militant chant, drums build
Bad days nuh leave no welt,
Bad days nuh mek mi cry to miself.
Hands weh shoulda guide, protect—
Dem cyaan justify di disrespect!
Bruises fade but di soul remember,
Justice burn like a righteous ember.
Final Chorus – layered harmonies, haunting
Bruises on me back, scars on me skin,
Mi soul still chant, mi nah give in.
Bruises on me back, tears on me cheek,
Mi still a child who want love, who seek.
Repeat
Outro – chant fading, call-and-response
(Bruises on me back…) – Why…?
(Spirit cyan’t crack…) – Why…?
(Children cry out loud…) – Why…?
But still we stand proud…
Fades out on a deep one-drop riddim, echo of “Bruises on me back…”
Bruises on me back…
Bruises on me back…
Bruises on me back…
Bruises on me back…
Repeat
Jah know...
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