You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
But you can’t run away from yourself
Can’t run away from yourself
Can’t run away from yourself
Can’t run away from yourself
Can’t run away from yourself
Can’t run away from yourself
You must have done (must have done)
Somethin’ wrong (something wrong)
Said: you must have done (must have done)
Wo! Somethin’ wrong (something wrong)
Why you can’t find the
Place where you belong?
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (running away)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (running away)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (running away)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (running away)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (running away)
Every man thinketh his
Burden is the heaviest (heaviest)
Every man thinketh his
Burden is the heaviest (heaviest)
You still mean it: Who feels it knows it, Lord
Who feels it knows it, Lord
Who feels it knows it, Lord
Who feels it knows it, Lord
You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
And you running away
You running and you running
But you can’t run away from yourself
Could you run away from yourself?
Can you run away from yourself?
Can’t run away from yourself!
Can’t run away from yourself!
Yeah-eah-eah-eah – from yourself
Brr – you must have done somethin’
Somethin’ – somethin’ – somethin’
Somethin’ you don’t want nobody to know about:
You must have, Lord – somethin’ wrong
What you must have done – you must have done somethin’ wrong
Why you can’t find where you belong?
Well, well, well, well, you running away, heh, no
You running away, ooh, no, no, no
I’m not (running away), no, don’t say that – don’t say that
‘Cause (running away) I’m not running away, ooh! (running away)
I’ve got to protect my life, (running away)
And I don’t want to live with no strife. (running away)
It is better to live on the housetop (running away)
Than to live in a house full of confusion. (running away)
So, I made my decision and I left you; (running away)
Now you comin’ to tell me (running away)
That I’m runnin’ away. (running away)
But it’s not true, (running away)
I am not runnin’ away. (running away)
Facing Yourself: The Message Behind “Running Away”
In “Running Away,” Bob Marley delves deep into the idea that no matter how far you try to escape your problems or past actions, you cannot outrun yourself. The song’s repetitive lines emphasize the futility of running from personal truth. Marley questions the listener, suggesting that unresolved guilt or wrongdoing is often the reason for unrest, and he highlights the universal feeling that everyone believes their own burdens are the heaviest. Ultimately, he affirms that self-confrontation is necessary for growth, shattering any illusion that physical distance can bring true peace of mind.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bob Marley
- Songwriter: Bob Marley
- Release Year: 1978
- Label: Island Records