The System

[Intro]
Sad to say
But…

[Bridge]
White people a bawl
Indian people a bawl
Black people a bawl
Chinese people a bawl
System design fi set we up
Yeaaaah
Dem give we di guns, then dem same one come wet we up

[Chorus]
Dre Skull, wha’ di system do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Wha’ dem do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Every day another mother bawl
Dem don’t do nothing at all, yeah
We’ve been suffering from we small

[Verse 1]
So
Some think say a bed of rose true pretty clothes inna mi closet
None of dem nah see me pain
Furthermore, dem never ask yet
Silence a di baddest weapon, so you know wha’ me do, me talk less
Man a work every day down a wharf, and a three grand a week dem a accept
Dem no waan me fi build mama house, don’t waan me fi own no assets
Sufferation everywhere me turn, so give thanks to Jah when you pass it
So, ghetto youth, don’t make silly plans
Believe in yourself, be a man
Dem waan we fi dead pon di road
Dem don’t waan we fi make billions

[Chorus]
Dre Skull, wha’ di system do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Wha’ dem do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Every day another mother bawl
Dem don’t do nothing at all, yeah
We’ve been suffering from we small

[Verse 2]
So
If we sell weed, a problem that
If we do a robbery, a problem that
The whole world a pray fi the problem stop
Nobody don’t cater fi solving that
Innocent youth a receive gunshot
Mama haffi dress up inna white and black
Oh God…
Me tired fi go a Dovecot

[Bridge]
White people a bawl
Indian people a bawl
Black people a bawl
Chinese people a bawl
System design fi set we up
Yeaaaah
Dem give we di guns, then dem same one come wet we up Yaaaaa

[Chorus]
Dre Skull, wha’ di system do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Wha’ dem do fi ghetto youth? Nothing
Every day another mother bawl
Dem don’t do nothing at all, yeah
We’ve been suffering from we small

[Verse 2]
So
If we sell weed, a problem that
If we do a robbery, a problem that
The whole world a pray fi the problem stop
Nobody don’t cater fi solving that
Innocent youth a receive gunshot
Mama haffi dress up inna white and black
Oh God…
Me tired fi go a Dovecot

[Outro]
Ghetto youth…
Believe in yourself, -self, -self
Ghetto youth…
Believe in yourself, be a man
Ghetto youth…
Believe in yourself, be a man
Believe in yourself, -self, -self
Believe in yourself, be a man
Believe in yourself, yourself, yourself
Believe in yourself, be a man

SONG MEANING

Popcaan’s “The System” is a powerful dancehall track that addresses social injustice, government corruption, and the daily struggles of ghetto youth in Jamaica. With emotionally charged lyrics, he highlights how the system is rigged against the poor, favoring the wealthy and leaving the less fortunate to suffer in silence. Popcaan uses his voice to represent the voiceless, urging resilience and awareness in the face of oppression. The song stands as both a personal reflection and a protest anthem, showing how dancehall can serve not only as entertainment but also as a force for social consciousness and resistance.