Night Nurse – English Lyrics

• By: Gregory Isaacs
• Album: Night Nurse

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the captivating world of reggae through Gregory Isaacs' iconic song, 'Night Nurse'. Explore the heartfelt lyrics and seductive rhythms that made this track a classic. Learn about the true meaning behind the song and how it celebrates the healing power of love and devotion, offering a glimpse into Jamaican culture and the nuances of the reggae genre.

[English]

Tell her try your best, just to make it quick

Woman tend to the sick

'Cah there must be something she can do

This heart is broken in two

Tell her it's a case of emergency

There's a patient, by the name of Gregory

Night nurse

Only you alone can quench this here thirst

My night nurse (oh, gosh)

Oh, the pain is getting worse

I don't wanna see no Doc'

I need attendance from my nurse around the clock

'Cause there's no prescription for me

She's the one, the only remedy

Night nurse

Only you alone, can quench this here thirst

My night nurse

Oh, the pain is getting worse

I'm hurt by love

...

I don't wanna see no Doc'

I need attendance from my nurse around the clock

For there's no prescription for me

She's the one, the only remedy

Night nurse

Only you alone can quench this here thirst

My night nurse

Oh, the pain is getting worse

I'm hurt, my love

And I'm sure

No doctor can cure

...

Night nurse

Night nurse

Oh, gosh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
nurse /nɜːrs/ A2	noun - a person trained to care for the sick or injured verb - to care for (a sick or injured person)
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise
quick /kwɪk/ A2	adjective - done with speed
sick /sɪk/ A1	adjective - affected by illness
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ A2	adjective - having been fractured or damaged
emergency /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/ B1	noun - a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action
patient /ˈpeɪʃnt/ A2	noun - a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment
thirst /θɜːrst/ B2	noun - a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
worse /wɜːrs/ A2	adjective - of poorer quality or lower standard
attendance /əˈtendəns/ B1	noun - the action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event
prescription /prɪˈskrɪpʃn/ B2	noun - an instruction written by a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be provided a medicine or treatment
remedy /ˈremədi/ B2	noun - a medicine or treatment for a disease or injury
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - cause physical pain or injury to adjective - emotionally wounded
cure /kjʊr/ B1	verb - relieve (a person or animal) of the symptoms of a disease or condition noun - a substance or course of treatment used to relieve a disease or condition

Key Grammar Structures

• Tell her try your best, just to make it quick

  ➔ Imperative + Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative form "Tell" followed by "try" (infinitive) to express the purpose. "to make it quick" explains the reason why she should try her best.

• Woman tend to the sick

  ➔ Imperative (implied) with simple present tense used as a general instruction.

  ➔ Although not explicitly stated, the phrase acts as an instruction or expectation. "tend" is in the simple present but functions as an imperative, expressing a general duty or request.

• 'Cah there must be something she can do

  ➔ Modal Verb of Deduction (must) + Relative Clause (she can do)

  ➔ "must be" expresses a strong belief or deduction that there is something the nurse can do. The relative clause "she can do" specifies the possible action.

• This heart is broken in two

  ➔ Passive Voice (is broken)

  ➔ The heart is the receiver of the action of breaking. The passive voice is used to emphasize the state of the heart rather than who or what caused it.

• Only you alone can quench this here thirst

  ➔ Emphasis with 'Only' and 'Alone' + Modal Verb (can)

  ➔ Using both "Only" and "alone" emphasizes that nobody else but the night nurse can satisfy his longing. "can quench" expresses ability or possibility.

• I don't wanna see no Doc'

  ➔ Double Negative (non-standard English)

  ➔ The use of "don't" and "no" together creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English but common in some dialects and informal speech. It emphasizes the desire to avoid seeing a doctor.

• I need attendance from my nurse around the clock

  ➔ Noun as an abstract concept

  ➔ "Attendance" is used as an abstract concept indicating the care and attention the singer needs from the nurse. It is not just physical presence, but active care.

• For there's no prescription for me

  ➔ Existential 'There is' + Negative Adjective

  ➔ "There's no prescription" uses the existential construction to state that a specific remedy (a prescription) does not exist for the singer's condition. "no" acts as a negative adjective modifying "prescription".