**Title:** Running Away **Artist:** Bob Marley **Album:** Kaya **Released in:** 1978 <iframe width="100%" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JaOXc7b2YJ4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> ## Chords `Gm - Cm` They are a bit out of tune on the record, it's nearer of G than F# but the song is usually played in F#m when Bob Marley is live. ## Lyrics Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya 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 Ya must have done (ya must have done) Somethin' wrong (something wrong) Said: ya must have done (you must have done) Wo! Somet'hn' 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) Ya 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 Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya running And ya running away Ya running and ya running But ya can't run away from yourself Could ya 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' ya don't want nobody to know about Ya must have, Lord, someth'in' wrong What ya must have done, ya must have done somethin' wrong Why you can't find where you belong? Well, well, well, well, ya running away, heh, no Ya 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 ya (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) ## Sheet and/or tab The melody on "Ya running and ya running and ya running away" is just ascending the Gm scale until you hit the 4th (G A Bb C) ## Music analysis Classic [reggae chord progression](Chords%20progressions.md#Reggae) with a [one drop pattern](One%20drop%20pattern.md). Bob Marley at his finest! As usual, the meaning is very deep. It tells that even though you made something wrong, you can run away and but can't run away from yourself. You can't mentaly escape your errors. ## Other versions For sure, one of the best take is the one from the live Raimbow Theatre, London 77, mashed up with Running Away and Jamming. <iframe width="100%" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F7WSMbcA7v8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> I really like the cover of Matisyahu, with a very lean band and adding beatbox and a big freestyle dubwise part. Very hipnotic. <iframe width="100%" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fHTKWa9s1N8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> ## Related songs [Crazy Baldhead - Bob Marley and the Wailers](Crazy%20Baldhead%20-%20Bob%20Marley%20and%20the%20Wailers.md)