Tuesday, April 15, 2025

I'm hurting inside

This song has been haunting me ever since I heard it in The Mighty Quinn over a month ago. It’s by Bob Marley, but performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph in the movie, along with Cedella Marley and Sharon Marley Prendergast. But these are not Marley’s lyrics. Here’s the lyrics as transcribed on the YouTube page:

When I was just a little child
Happiness was there awhile
Then from me it slipped away
Happiness come back I say

x2
And if you don’t come
I’ve gonna go looking, yeah
For happiness

I’ve done you no wrong x2
Reveal yourself to me

I say, I say (Ha say, Ha say)
I’m hurting inside x 4

We’ve been together like school children
But then the hurt, the hurt was just in vain
Oh I, I’m your weary child
Happiness, happiness come back again

x2
And if you don’t come
I’ve gonna go looking, yeah
For happiness

I’ve done you no wrong, no
I’ve done you no wrong
Reveal yourself to me

I say, I say (Ha say, Ha say)
I’m hurting inside (I’m hurting)
I’m hurting inside (You got to believe me)
I’m hurting inside (Mmmm Mmmmm)

I’m hurting inside (bgv)

When I was just a little child
Happiness was there awhile
Then from me it slipped away
Happiness come back I say

And if you don’t come
I’ve gonna go looking, yeah
For happiness

I’m hurting inside (I’m hurting)
I’m hurting inside (You got to believe me)
I’m hurting inside (Mmmm Mmmmm)

I’m struck by the juxtaposition of “I’ve done you no wrong” with “Reveal yourself to me.”

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