I Will NOT Be a SLAVE – English Lyrics

• By: Tinashe

Lyrics & Translation

Although "I Will NOT Be a SLAVE" is not an official song title by Tinashe, the phrase encapsulates a significant theme of artistic independence and self-determination prevalent in her work. Exploring Tinashe's discography reveals her journey to creative control, offering insights into how artists navigate the music industry and express their autonomy. While you won't find a song with this exact title, understanding the spirit behind this statement can deepen your appreciation for her catalog and the empowering messages within her music.

[English]

I'm on a road to riches and paper

Get a, get another job now

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

I've been working for my family

But he ain't gonna make it by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

And when it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep working hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep working hard

Ooh, and then it goes, strength is running out, but I keep going on

And I've been working so hard

Work, work, work

Yeah, and I've been working so hard

Work, work, work

And then it goes, strength is running out, but I keep going on

And I've been working so hard

Work, work, work

Yeah, and I've been working so hard

Work, work, work

I will not be a slave now

I want to be free

Yeah, I will not be a slave now

I want to be free

So I've been working for my family

But he ain't gonna make it by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

And then it goes

Strength is running out

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stand it, no

Ooh, I'm gonna break it down, break it down

But I keep going on

'Cause I can't stay

Till they're making nothing by

Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

But I've been working so hard

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to do a job or tasks, often for pay noun - a job or tasks that one does
strength /strɛŋθ/ A2	noun - physical or mental power
slave /sleɪv/ A1	noun - a person who is legally owned by another and forced to work without pay
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not imprisoned or enslaved
keep /kiːp/ A1	verb - to continue in a state or course of action
hard /hɑːrd/ A1	adjective - requiring a lot of effort
taxman /ˈtæksˌmæn/ B1	noun - a person who collects taxes
mine /maɪn/ A1	pronoun - belonging to me
family /ˈfæməli/ A1	noun - a group of people related by blood or marriage
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - to tolerate or accept something
riches /ˈrɪtʃɪz/ A2	noun - wealth or valuable possessions
paper /ˈpeɪpər/ A1	noun - material for writing or printing on
job /dʒɒb/ A1	noun - a paid position of regular employment
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A1	verb - present participle of run, to move quickly on foot
gonna /ˈɡʌnə/ A2	auxiliary verb - informal form of 'going to'

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm on a road to riches and paper

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "I'm on a road" uses the present continuous tense with the structure "be + verb-ing" to indicate an action happening now or in progress.

• Strength is running out

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "is running out" uses the present continuous tense to describe an action that is happening now and has a temporary nature.

• Taxman he gonna give me what's mine

  ➔ Future tense with 'gonna'

  ➔ The phrase "gonna give" is an informal way to express the future tense, equivalent to "going to give".

• 'Cause I can't stand it, no

  ➔ Contraction and negation

  ➔ The contraction "can't" is used for "cannot", and "no" is added for emphasis on negation.

• I've been working so hard

  ➔ Present perfect continuous

  ➔ The phrase "I've been working" uses the present perfect continuous to emphasize the duration and ongoing nature of the action.

• I will not be a slave now

  ➔ Future simple with negation

  ➔ The phrase "will not be" uses the future simple tense with negation to express a strong refusal or decision.

• But he ain't gonna make it by

  ➔ Contraction and negation with 'ain't'

  ➔ The contraction "ain't" is an informal way to say "is not" or "are not", and it is used here for negation.

• Work, work, work

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ The repetition of "work" is used to emphasize the intensity and importance of the action.