I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
To make them understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and the Lord know I tried,
To make them understand.
I tried, oh tried how I tried,
But they just can't understand.

The more victimization is up on their back,
The more foolish they become.
The more victimization is up on their back,
They satisfy Lord for less.

I tried, oh Jah how I tired,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.

(..)

This one turn them fool, that one turn them fool,
So what are they waiting for?
Fix up yourself and prepare to meet Jah,
That will satisfy Lord for more.

I tried, oh Jah how I tried,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.

Father die in pain, mother die in pain,
Slavery continue.
They say we have no right, no where,
In no corner of the world.

And I tried to make them notice,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried to mek them know,
But they just can't understand.

Twenty-four hours make one day, they told us
Seven days make a week
And out of all that they hold 365 days
They can only name you seven days

I tried, I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.

We beat drums by night, we beat drums by day,
They take no heed.
The church bell a-ring and the children a-sing,
And them still satisfy Lord for less.

I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they still can't understand.

Son is waiting for his sentence, you know.
Father in the field can't find nothing,
And mother nah no money.

I tried, I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried,
But they just can't understand.

My daddy was sure, my mommy was poor,
Ain't got no money.
Still no bother me, all I need to see,
Is love and unity.