The song "All We Do Is Cry" by UB40 depicts the heartbreaking reality of poverty, suffering, and death in impoverished communities. The lyrics convey the frustration and helplessness felt by people witnessing these atrocities through media coverage. The song begins by portraying the anguish of mothers witnessing their children dying while they cry and express their grief on TV screens. Despite the emotional response from viewers, nothing substantial is being done to address the underlying issues causing these deaths. The repetition of "all they do is die" highlights the tragic cycle of death and the lack of progress in finding solutions. The second verse focuses on the suffering of babies, with bloated bellies and in pain, their desperate screams going unheard. Once again, nothing changes as they continue to pass away one by one. The lyrics emphasize the futility of crying without taking action to alleviate their suffering. The third verse introduces the image of graves in a row, metaphorically representing the countless lives lost. The grieving fathers and their unanswered questions depict the lack of attention given to the reasons behind the suffering and deaths. The line "they suffer and they die" points out the continuous cycle of pain and loss. The bridge of the song draws attention to a vulnerable child begging for food and clean water in the middle of the street. The lyrics highlight the urgent need for action before time runs out. The mention of learning to survive in defeat suggests that the younger generation is growing up in a world where suffering and poverty are normalized. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "all we do is cry," emphasizing the emotional response and the overall feeling of helplessness. This repetition signifies the necessity for someone to care and take action to address the issues at hand. "All We Do Is Cry" is a call for awareness and action, urging listeners to be moved by the suffering and poverty experienced by others while challenging the lack of progress and indifference towards finding solutions.
