“If People Must Die” is the 19th track on Burna Boy’s album On a Spaceship, released in 2015, and serves as one of the most poignant and reflective moments on the entire project.
“If People Must Die” is a rare, vulnerable peek into the mind of Burna Boy, dealing directly with themes of mortality, betrayal, and loss. The song is a heartfelt tribute to a late friend named Gambo, which explains the palpable sorrow and spiritual questioning in the lyrics.
His track is not just a song but a testament to the fact that even at the height of his spaceship confidence, Burna Boy was dealing with profound personal grief and existential questions.
See lyrics
[Verse 1]
Today wi haffi hope and pray
Bad mind people and dem evilest ways
Hear say dem wan mi dead inna di worst ways
Wan see mi whole body lay down ina grave
Buh dat a nuttin mi cyan hangle
See things different from anoda angle
All round time feelin like me gettin strangled
Haffi shute first for my life style dangle pon di edge
Because anytime mi tink 'bout Gambo
I full up a pain and sorrow
So mi haffi ride on solo
'Nuf tears inna mi eyes like
[Chorus]
Lord if people must die then why do we cry 'cause I dun wan feel it anymore, mi neva understand that yet
Lord if people must die then why do we cry 'cause I dun wan feel it anymore, mi neva understand that lord
[Verse 2]
Some of dem find di remedy
Wan assassinate mi like J.F Kenedy, problem
When dem a go find di energy
Friends kill Friends fi one bokkle of Hennessy
So as mi lay my head to rest
Pray to Jah he will protec
So as mi lay my head to sleep
Pray to Jah my soul to keep
How a do dem?
Mi nuh chill mi nuh hangout
Read bible before see me sip wah Jah send out
Troublin times when a friend sell friend out
Anytime me see enuf, tears inna mi eyes like
[Chorus]
Lord if people must die then why do we cry 'cause I dun wan feel it anymore, mi neva understand that yet
Lord if people must die then why do we cry 'cause I dun wan feel it anymore, mi neva understand that lord
[Outro]
No matter how bad the situation wi always haffi give thanks to di holy Emmanuel I king Selassie Jah rastafari
Dem say fire burn di pagans dem
Mi coulda never ever be satan friend
Any bwoy wish me bad it a go worse pon dem
So take bad mind outta ya circumference Lord
Bad mind mi can't work wit dem
A cud die Hindu, Muslim or Christian
Inna any situation mi say always give thanks
Uploaded by: Precious • Upload date: 11/3/2025
