WHEN TROUBLE TEK YOU

Intro (Spoken — Old Man Voice) Hear wah Miss Lou did know long time... “Trouble nuh set like rain.” It no partial. Today a dem... Tomorrow a you. Bwoy... “When dutty tough, powder puff gone.” (Thunder roll... dog bark in distance... zinc fence rattle...) Chorus When trouble tek you, Pickney shirt fit you Pride haffi dead when di landlord due Whole heap a big man bend when life screw When trouble tek you, Pickney shirt fit you (Eeeeh!) “Cow noh know di use a him tail, Til butcher tie fly pon him back!” One hand cya clap, One food cya stock Today yuh rich, Tomorrow yuh shock When trouble tek you, Pickney shirt fit you Adlibs “Cho!” “A suh life set!” “Wheel an tun!” “Every mikkle mek a mukkle!” “Lawd God!” Verse 1 Big chain pawn now, fridge nearly bare Pressure inna chest like concrete chair Yesterday champagne pon yacht wid gyal Now him a count loose change fi bus fare Friend dem disappear like duppy inna smoke Same people weh laugh when poor man broke Mama tell me: “Monkey know which tree fi climb.” Cause enough fake friend only love good time One mattress spring a stab through him side Still him grateful seh him have place fi hide Cause “Half loaf better than none!” A suh di elders preach from long time come Whole heap a man did too hype and proud Now dem silent, humble inna crowd Cause trouble humble every human frame Rain fall pon everybody same Pre-Chorus “No laugh after nobody downfall.” Cause river turn. Wheel spin. Tables shift. “One one cocoa full basket.” One likkle help can save a life. Chorus When trouble tek you, Pickney shirt fit you Pride haffi dead when di landlord due Whole heap a big man bend when life screw When trouble tek you, Pickney shirt fit you “A hungry man ah angry man!” Belly empty, faith get weak Still Jah provide somehow each week Adlibs “Seen?” “Real talk!” “Babylon pressure!” “Still standing!” Verse 2 Mama boil banana split inna three Still she smile say: “Pickney unnu eat first before me.” Rain a drop through hole inna roof Still she a pray with stubborn proof Say: “What fi you cyaan miss you.” Even through suffering she hold truth Neighbour lend rice, next one lend flour Whole lane survive through darkest hour Cause “One hand wash di odda.” Community stronger than dollar Youth man lose job downtown wharf Girlfriend leave when di money cut off Now him understand one deep ting: “Fair weather friend fly wid di wind.” One old Clarks wid sole nearly done Still him wear it till another day come Cause “Cockroach noh business inna fowl fight.” Poor people survival instinct bright Bridge (Spoken Word — Deep Emotional Delivery) Trouble... A di real university. It teach yuh who love yuh. Who fake. Who stay. Who vanish. It kill illusion. Some people only spiritual when food full. Some only loyal when pocket swell. But hard times? Hard times reveal original character. (Soft choir hums in background) “When trouble catch monkey, Him bite dog.” Verse 3 Politician promise like breeze through screen Pretty speech but cupboard still lean Youth dem frustrated, mentally tired Dreams burn down but rage still wired Still di old woman sweep har yard Though life hit harder than prison guard Cause dignity nah depend pon wealth Sometimes survival itself a health One candle light whole dark room One seed still blossom after doom So no matter how Babylon wicked Jah energy cyaan be restricted Cause diamond form under pressure too And lion heart grow when life abuse you Final Chorus (Choir + Crowd Response) When trouble tek you! (Pickney shirt fit you!) When life pressure you! (Pickney shirt fit you!) “Hog say him noh have time, Yet him always find time fi nyam!” Humble yuhself and live fi tomorrow Sun still rise after sorrow Jah never promise easy road But strength grow heavier than load When trouble tek you! (Pickney shirt fit you!) “Trouble mek monkey eat pepper!” Outro Member dis youth... No matter how high man rise— life can humble anybody. So feed di poor. Respect people. Stay grateful. Cause one day... a pickney shirt might haffi fit you too.