The Harder they Come

∇   Jimmy Cliff    ⇓  [1972]

Well they tell me of a pie in the sky – Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you’re born and when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now of what’s mine

And then the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all

Well the oppressors are trying to keep me down, making me feel  […?]
And they think that they’ve got me on the run
I say, «Forgive ‘em Lord they know not what they’ve done»
‘Cause as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now of what’s mine

And then the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all

[ . . . ] on the run – Tell them that [. . . ?]
And I’d rather die than live and be a slave
Yes I’d rather be right in my grave
So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share right now of what’s mine

And then the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
Ooh, the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all . . .

◊  Joe Jackson’s ↓  1980 cover

◊  Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros ↓  2004

Well they tell me of a pie in the sky – Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you’re born and when you die
They never even seem to hear your cry
So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now of what’s mine

The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all

Well the oppressors are trying to keep me down, trying to drive me underground
And they think that they’ve got the battle won
I say, «Forgive ‘em Lord they know not what they’ve done»
‘Cause as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share now of what’s mine 

The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
And the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all

And I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you’re dead you can’t
But I’d rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
So as sure as the sun will shine
I’m gonna get my share right now of what’s mine

And then the harder they come, the harder they fall one and all
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all . . .

◊  Willie Nelson‘s ↑ 2005  cover