Song by Song: "No Woman, No Cry" Quiz

Answer: Trenchtown

Trenchntown (also spelled Trench Town), once known as "the Hollywood of Jamaica," is located in the parish of St. Andrew. The town is considered to be the birthplace of reggae music. The town is named for 18th century Irish immigrant Daniel Power Trench, who used the area for livestock.

Answer: A housing project

"No, woman, no cry
'Cause, 'cause, 'cause I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown."

Bob Marley grew up in Trenchtown and spent his teenage years with his mother in a government housing project called "Culture Yard." It consisted of about eight houses. A July 24, 2005 article in "The Observer" reports that it "was once a showpiece housing project" that later fell into disrepair, becoming "notorious for political gang violence during the Seventies."

Answer: Natty Dread

"Natty Dread" was the seventh studio album of Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was recorded in Harry J. Studios in Kingston, Jamaica and released in October of 1974. The uptempo studio version of "No Woman, No Cry" was arranged by Jean Roussel and included Hammond organ parts as well as a drum machine.

Answer: Live!

The version released as a single was the live tour performance in London on July 18, 1975. It is this version that is most famous, and which Rolling Stone magazine rated number 37 on its 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." The single was released with "Kinky Reggae" on the B-Side.

Answer: The hypocrites

"Oba observing the 'ypocrites
Mingle with the good people we meet.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way."

The "Live!" album that included this song was certified gold in the United States by RIAA. BPI certified it silver in the U.K. The live version of "No Woman, No Cry" was recorded at the Lyceum Theatre, a West End theater in London.

Answer: Vincent Ford

Controversy remains as to whether Vincent Ford wrote the song with Bob Marley or was simply given credit by Marley. Some speculate Marley wanted to avoid certain contractual obligations he had with producer Danny Sims of Cayman Music. Marley "did not want his new songs to be associated with Cayman," reports a belated, January 7, 2009 obituary of Vincent Ford in "The Independent." Therefore, the newspaper speculates, Marley put the disputed songs "in the names of his wife, Rita, the Wailers, or other close friends to find a way around tight publishing restrictions. This spreading out of writing credits would also have allowed Marley to provide lasting help to family and close friends. "

Rolling Stone magazine, on the other hand, reports Bob Marley "gave a songwriting credit to childhood friend Vincent 'Tata' Ford to help keep Ford's Kingston soup kitchen running."

Answer: past

"In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I seh
No, woman, no cry
No, woman, no cry
'Ere, little darlin', don't shed no tears
No, woman, no cry."

The live version of this song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles chart and at 23 on the Dutch Top 40, though it did not chart in the United States.

Answer: cornmeal porridge

"Said, said, said, I remember when-a we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire lights, I seh
A log wood burnin' through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge, I she."

Cornmeal porridge is a traditional breakfast dish popular among people throughout the Caribbean islands. It is made by boiling ground starchy grains and seasoned with spices, coconut milk, sugar, or honey. It is also known as parrige or pap.

Answer: His feet

His feet are his only vehicle, the "carriage" that alone will take him places:

"My feet is my only carriage
And so I've got to push on through
But while I'm gone
Everything's gonna be all right."

The live version of this song peaked at number 30 on the New Zealand Singles chart.

Answer: The Fugees

The Fugees were formed in the early 1980s and consisted of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. Their cover of "No Woman, No Cry" appeared on their second studio album, "The Score." The single hit number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK R&B chart. It didn't do as well in the U.S., where it peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Radios Songs (Billboard) Chart.