Lyrics!: Bugle

If you were to combine the brilliant edginess of someone like an Agent Sasco with the streamlined point-making of Tanya Stephens and maybe just a hair of the implied sinister of Mad Cobra, the style you might create might be very similar to Bugle. Like the first two names in that blend, Bugle’s songwriting appears to have been the child of an intense amount of work and study, but like its third name, his development has not driven him far outside of his organic road as well. And though more 'mainstream' attention will likely never come his way (and I don't think he'd accept it if you offered it to him), amongst more passionate fans, Bugle has quietly become one of Reggae's more dependable hitmakers. Is there a secret to his success? Maybe, and today we look at some of his most seriously sizzling sublime sets of syllables. Lyrics! Bugle

"Mi a duppy conqueror, so a mi no frighten

No soft-hearted, so a mi no frighten

No tell people 'sorry' when wi do things pon purpose -

Dem head mussi slack and waan tighten

Nah go seh mi a brightest, mi neva go a award

But all nuff a dem ah gwan, dem a coward

When wi ah do road, di bwoy dem ah do yard

Dem seh mi a easy, nah know mi will go hard

Still I nah mek dem drain I meds

And gwan show love like Selassie I said

Nah mek dem drain my medi -

Cah none a dem no ready

Stay focused, ah dat a my pledge!"

-'Mi Nuh Frighten'

"What have I done to you?

Why you wanna treat me like a criminal?

I'm not a criminal 

What have I done to you

Whay you wanna come to my funeral and mean that literal

Through mi exercise everyday and mi start get fit

Hypocrits ah look fi mi wid extension clip

But as long as mi have life, mi nah quit

This a real life, it's not no movie, nah no skit

What dem ah pray fi si, dem nah go si

Mi inna no cemetery

SO DI PRAYER WEH DEM AH PRAY NO NECESSARY

Yes mi glad seh Jah Jah mek mi know mi adversary

Everyday dem ah hope and ah wish - to si mi perish

CAUSE DI OPPOSITE OF LOVE IS WHAT DEM CHERISH

Dem no waan fi si mi pon di terrace

NAH GO DOWN, I'M PUTTING UP RESISTENCE LIKE BERES [BOOM!]

Dem seh a bag a things dem neva need fi seh

When it come to di test, you hear seh dem neva mean fi seh

What dem seh dem shouldn't dream fi seh

But memba seh hearsay, dat a weh people seh

Things dem put mi through, only Father God know it grieve mi

Caan believe, who mi think, was mi friend, deceive mi

Thanks to mi parents who conceive mi

EVERYBODY ELSE CAN GO DEM FUCKIN WAYS AND LEAVE MI"

-'What Have I Done?'

"When you ah dig ditch, dig a few
Dig one fi mi and dig one fi you
MEMBA SEH NUTTIN WEH YOU AHGO DO NO NEW
You is abomination
Tell yuh lips, a nuh true
Tell mi why you waan mi fall like di rain
Tell mi why you waan mi to derail like a train
Hey, and tell mi why yuh pleasure is my pain
Tell mi why to bring down my name to shame a yuh game

Tell dem wi rise above di water
Pagans ah laugh but wi have di last laughter"
-'Above The Water'

"New way ah try dun di world -
It nuh dun left you
When you ah run dung
It ahgo run left you 
Ah try gain di world fi yuh soul
So you sell out yuhself fi di gold
Don't have di prettiest car, but mi still ah roll
When mi ah left Kingston, a mi pay mi toll
Could, might not wear the prettiest Nike
But mi wash it, mi keep it clean, it still white!

Thank God fi another year
Thank You, mi still deh here
Mi caan afford di Hennessey, so mi ah drink mi beer"
-'Thank God Fi Another Year'

"When, you think you have life hard, nuff people ah have it harder
Cause nuff time nuff youth well want a shave and caan check di barber
Grannie tell mi seh her money magga
So, she haffi feed pon cassava 
You nuh know weh yuh man go through fi own weh him have - don't grudge him fi him Prada
Di world neva build inna one day, things take time
EVERY MAN GOT PROBLEMS, CAUSE MI GOT MINE
A no everything weh glitter a gold, it might look fabulous -
But everything doh fine

Cause wi are only human, like everybody else
Wi are only human, sometime wi need some help"
-'Only Human' w/Popcaan

"Baby mi woulda deh wid you, but guess wah - it no healthy
Because mi know seh it wouldn't help mi
You waan hype up, mi laidback
You waan loud up, mi doh play that
And mi woulda deh wid you, but guess wah - it no healthy
Because mi know sey it wouldn't help mi
You waan be star, but mi a observer
MI WAAN SOUL FOOD, YOU WAAN BURGER

It no mek sense wi try, mi no comfortable
And to how mi si things, wi no compatible
This unuh work out cause mi selective
And wi have different objectives
We destined to strive, but you always slow mi drive
You no have no adrenaline
You - mi haffi avoid
YOU MIGHT EDUCATED BUT YOU NUH WISE
Your eyes on di hype
BUT MINE ON DI PRIZE!"
-'Nuh Compatible'

"Who know best, di best, cah wi surpass better

Nuff a dem, they're trying to be perfect like a job-letter

Believe inna God, Him keep mi warm like a sweater

When di heathen try fi swallow mi, a plague of alligator

Even though dem nah have no locks, dem dread

And if you waan fi know yuh friend, pretend like yuh dead

And si how much thing - dem woulda serve all yuh head

Cause dem well waan eat yuh flesh up like it is a loaf a bread

Never let dem get you down in this game, stay ahead

CAUSE DEM ALWAYS SPREADING RUMOUR LIKE DEM THINK IT IS A BED

WHEN DEM SEH 'WAR', SEH 'PEACE'

Because dem a di least

IF WI FIGHT FIRE WID FIRE, THEN EVERYONE AHGO DEAD

If you blame life you blame Who give it

So don't blame life, blame di way how you live it

Fadda God neva sleep, HIM wake

HIM nah mek mistake

So blame it on di friends dem in ya surrounding weh fake

Everybody have a choice to be what dem want to

No blame it on mi because yuh past ah haunt you

Mi poor, but mi happy

You rich and nuh have no fun

AND YOU NEVA REALIZE MI MUSIC HAVE MORE POWER THAN YUH GUN

Now, everybody have a testimony

But all dem worry about is money

Dem still nah set no goal

How dem so cold?

So how dem have dem name pon payroll"

-'Don't Blame Life'

"Dem seh when you do di crime, you need fi do di time

But a nuff time, when dem do di crime, dem neva do di time

I try show dem a point -

Dem seh pointless

So mi still ah wonder if this just mindset

But Jah nah give wi more than wi can bear

So mi know mi burden nuh heavy than mi can wear

I guess wi just a wasting in a book that can tear

Waan wi coward, so inna wi dem instill fear

Dem no waan fi si when wi ah try

A nuh just di certain people dem nah supply

One thing mi sure bout:

Dem really can act high

DEM SEH SPEECH OF FREEDOM SO WHY DEM ATTACK I?"

-'Crime'

"You can catch a plane to almost anywhere you want to

But you caan catch a flight to heaven

And anyweh you can drive, you take a ship, you still arrive

But you caan take one to heaven

You pay fi anything you want

Even yuh heart, you can transplant 

But you caan pay yuh way into heaven

You lef Earth, you go to Mars

The Moon and in the stars, but no spaceshuttle can carry you go to heaven

You can take the elevator to the top of di skyscraper

No mek no sense you try, cah you still caan scrape di sky

No know weh you a think, but no link-

Can mek you visit The Most High on Mount Zion I 

You can take a cab or even walk to Shirley gate

But none a that can mek you si di pearly gates

No tell mi bout no friends

No Lamborghini, nah no Benz

CAUSE HEAVEN NUH DRIVEWAY, YOU CAAN PARK IN DI SIDEWAY

No US, bout nuh Europe, Heaven nah have nuh exchange rate

DI ONLY CURRENCY ACCEPTED BY HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FAITH

A man build a car, a house, a plane, a ship -

You seh him great

BUT WHAPPEN TO DI MAN WEH BUILD DI MAN WEH YOU SEH GREAT?

Who give you di fire, di land, di water?

Mek wi have son and daughter

YOu think di part deh deep?

Mi waan you listen to di part yah

A nah plan-made, a nuh man-made

The Real Don made natural disaster

HIM heal you wid HIM eyes, no need no injection or plasma!"

-'Heaven'

"EXERCISE EVERY DAY AND I'M STILL NOT FIT

MY KIDS ARE HUNGRY AND I AIN'T GOT SHIT

WHAT I'M GONNA DO?

WHAT I'M GONNA DO?

WHAT I'M GONNA DO?

What would you do?"

-'What I'm Gonna Do'

Lyrics!: Jah9 & Reemah

They have thrilled us and done so, wonderfully coincidentally, in very similar ways. Over the past few months the brilliantly poetic Jah9 and the blazingly indefatigable Reemah have both offered what stand highly as beautiful lyrical achievements in Roots Reggae music in the form of their new albums, "New Name" and "Check Your Words", respectively. On one side, you have Jah9 who was seemingly born with pen and paper in hand, attempting to make sense of the tools which might, one day, make her a legend - while on the other was Reemah, who may never have need for either, but whose passion is great and intelligent enough to make sure neither you nor I ever forget her name. Today we bring together two reigning princesses of modern Roots Reggae and present ten colour-coded cosmically and conscience-ly connected caches of cascadingly conjugated coruscating concepts. Lyrics! Jah9 & Reemah.

"New Name" by Jah 9 [2013] & "Check Your Words" by Reemah [2012]

"New name: King Rastafari

Weakheart ah tremble when dem hear it sound

New name: Power of The Trinity

Lion of Judah, return to the throne

With a new name: King Rastafari

Weakheart ah tremble when dem hear it sound

New name: Haile Selassie I

Lion of Judah return to the throne 

Today man sees all his hopes and dreams -

Crumbling before him while he plots and schemes

Hard ways, so him choose fi learn

Then waan fi curse the fire when him plans get burned

But I know, cause ah so Jah say

THE TRUEST RESURRECTION IS SPIRITUALLY

And the key to the comfort is to pree the word

KNOWING, NOT JUST BELIEVING, HOW PROPHECY REVEALING

With a new name: King Rastafari

Weakheart ah tremble when dem hear it sound

New name: Power of The Trinity

Lion of Judah return to the throne

With a new name: King Rastafari

Weakheart ah tremble when dem hear it sound

New name: Haile Selassie I

Lion of Judah return to the throne

Whoa!

She screams in pain

Another life descends into the physical plane

Young mama frightened as she wraps her brain -

Around the work she has cut out for her - she must maintain

But I know, cause ah so Jah say

The youths dem is the future, let dem lead the way

Just nurture and prepare dem for the present day

WITH THE WORD AND THE EXAMPLE OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY!"

- 'New Name' 

"To live, to learn, to give

May love conquer hate forever

This is Jah world and none of dem caan run it

This is Jah world

If you listening, mi beg yuh answer this prayer

Show a way out fi di youths dem weh deh yah

Help wi look inside for The Most High to guide

Mek wi love, not divide

Mek wi stand fi wi rights

Well inna di jugglin, weh all man deh hustlin and -

Inna eye, it neva get betta, si dem bucklin, whoa whoa

I tell you all, the strong nah go fold

To live, to learn, to give

May love conquer hate forever

This is Jah world and none of dem caan run it

This is Jah world

Everybody waan live and not everybody waan give

That no right and tell mi, tell mi what it is

Babylon, tell mi what's yah reason

Why you make it so uneven?

COME AND TELL MI 'FORE YOU GET YAH BEATIN

Out a di beast - I trod

And now wi rise up and a so dem mad

Done plant di seed and dem say 'shame' fi how di people gettin bad

When dem neva want to si di youths dem glad"

- 'Jah World'

"Mr. Preacherman whatcha gotta say to the nation?

Mr. Preacherman, what ya gwan to say when the youths dem turn away?

I've been a believer for all of my life

But there've been constant conflicts raging in my mind

The people are hurting and crying and searching -

And waiting for a reason to go on

And all you can say is 'go pray and be patient'

'It won't be this way for too long'

Sitting and waiting - to me, that seems crazy

Making dem lazy in your congregation

PLEADING TO A SAVIOUR, AN EMANCIPATOR, WHOSE VERY BEHAVIOUR PROVES YOU WRONG"

- 'Preacher Man'

"Money in dem purse alright

Most a dem inna di church -

Dem deh a di worst

Deceit in their eyes

DEM NO GOT NO LOVE AN A DI FIRST TO CRITICIZE

Well, money inna dem pocket alright

Just fi di dollar signs - dem pretend and keep you blind

Deceit in their eyes

Dem no got no love and a di first to criticize

You no si how some wrong?

How coulda dat be anyone?

Gwan read book, get paper 

Come back, say dem a saved man

Speak now in general - mi no find dat too sensical -

How God seh fi pay, when you inna shack, dem inna mansion

Eight, nine, ten version can't 'gree pon one position and-

Still dem ahgo sign up inna babylon coercion

Is a thing of question - how dem no waan progression

Now, dem no waan si wi inna one vibe, one heart strong"

- 'In Dem Purse'

"I'm beginning to wonder about your intentions

Too many instances of deception

Too many alibis and excuses

Too many attempts to deny the abuses

Too many reasons to complain

Too many losses, too little gain

The very existence is a strain on the people

I know, cause I am woman so I can see

THAT LIFE DON'T RESIDE WHERE THERE ISN'T NO HARMONY

And I sing cause I care and wouldn't want anybody that I love to be circumstanced -

Out of existence

Yes, I'm beginning to wonder about your attention

Where is it focused?

In what direction?

Is your life-force in execution?

FORMING OPINIONS AND FINDING SOLUTIONS!

Declaring the victim

Sharing the blame!

Representing the potential for change -

But only in name 

Then with taxation and depression, put a strain on the people 

I speak, cause I know words are reserved for the truth

Not perfect, but aware of the example I set for the youth

And I sing cause I care and wouldn't want none of these sons and daughters to go astray -

When I could've paved the way

Yes, I'm beginning to tire of all these expenses born by the people

Relegated to zinc fences

Keeping the resources out of their reach

Breeding frustration in the values you teach -

In the media everyday

Then deny them a way to attain it 

But force them to work and maintain it

And not take their share then police force the fear into the brains of the people 

I know, from experience, the system is flawed and unfair

So I live outside it as much as I possibly dare

And I sing for justice!

Inna time when the people may be too distracted to even care

My voice will still be there"

- 'Intention'

"Unconditional love makes the world go round

You've got to know

And if you love from your heart

You make Jah blessing come down, come down!

Somebody ring di alarm cause nobody calm -

Everybody warring, tell me is it worth it

And it's a far cry, but we've got to try and I pray dat, one day, wi realize this isn't working

Majority can't escape di poverty

Oh Lord, this is a tragedy

Why does it hurt like this?!

Can't fight di feeling -

To see how everybody grieving, di world is inna crisis

This is to the people out there -

We've got to find a better way

Got to break free, have no fears

Let's find a better way

Everyday another youth blood running cold, inna plain view

Somebody please make a rescue

And some a di parents, not even old enough to pay rent

Lord wi need a break through

Looking out at society, so many broken dreams -

What does it say to me?

Emptiness - Lord please fill this vacancy

HOW CAN THEY SAY THEY CARE AND STILL LET THIS BE?

This is to the people out there -

We've got to find a better way

We've got to break free, have no fears

Let's find a better way

What make di children dem so forthright?

Cause you neva watch over dem most nights and -

CAAN LET DI SYSTEM GROW DEM

CAUSE INNA TEN YEAR'S TIME YOU NAH GO KNOW DEM

It take a village, but no one willing

Daddy nah give no dollar nor shilling and -

If you know dem, what make you nah go reassure dem

Cause a regret when you caan control dem 

This is to the people out there -

We've got to find a better way

We've got to break free, have no fears

A better way

Waan come go microchip, technologic, worldwide mass epidemic

Yet dem got dem inna tight grip

Done sight di rhetoric, it's methodic, nobody using logic -

Call di medic, all di people gone quick

Material, possession, dem breathe it

AND WHEN DEM DIE, DEM HURRY UP AND GONE LEAVE IT

Settle for their plan, they still deceiving

And if you're know they're lying, why you still believing?

This is to the people out there -

We've got to find a better way

We've got to break free, have no fears

Find a better way"

- 'Better Way'

"Legitimate or not

Some claim indemnity from the original plot

As though their integrity could still be intact

But what is the likelihood of that? -

When if you trace the source of each resource they've got -

They've tapped into the veins of the masses

The system maintains

Feeding on their youthfulness and draining from their brains

And then the weak ones are injected -

Armed and turned toward the strife

They return with force and take away their life

But make no mistake!

There is life in abundance for all to partake

So war is redundant and hate is futile

[In the face of love]

But too many put feeling

[In the face of love]

We all are the same!

The essence of life in this physical plane

So nothing can restrain the love

You just have to claim the love

Yes, I remember the censorship of showing your roots

Deception with no life conditioning for the youths

STRAIGHTENING THEIR FOLLICLES WHILE TWISTING THEIR MINDS

Replacing old traditions with their programs for decline

BUT AS I REBEL, MY NATTY SWELLS -

Defiant of the taming 

My natural advantage - I'm proclaiming

THESE SPIRALS MARK THE COURSE OF LIFE AND REPRESENT THE FORCE OF LIFE -

CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE OF LIFE"

- 'Legitimate'

"Evil in all places

Babylon working overtime, trying destroy youths mind

Convincing words while they smile

Eradication of all but their own kind

Moral crisis and infanticide

Obsessed over credit, now it gone worldwide

Why won't you show dem who you really are under, your disguise?

Got to go out and burn down all babylon sign!

Don't ask no question - no!

Just burn down babylon!

A with di torch inna hand

Fire to come burn down, all evil one

Don't ask no question - no!

Just burn down babylon!

A with di torch inna hand

Fire to come purify all di wicked ones

AIDS a weh dem ah mek to keep all unwanted - inna check

Only few ways dem seh to pass and get

So how wi spread so easily pon just one continent

All lies - you neva si wi truth yet

Can you trust someone who killed their own?

Poison food and rob innocent home

Righteousness spot out all heathen soul

FYAH TO COME WARM UP ALL THOSE WHO COLD"

- 'No Question'

"Gratitude is fuel for the actions I partake in

So in doing what I love, I get to keep it up

Perceptions leave much room to be mistaken

So in doing what I say, my word is covenant

I expect nothing but the best from I-self

Not 'my-self' nor 'me', put in personality -

Under subordination of the master key

Which is The Most High - in I & I

As a man thinketh inna his heart, so is he

Whatever you dwelling on is the reality, that you creating

Use your concentration wisely

Because your only limitation is your imagination

Priority 1 is to focus on The Most High in the meditation

Develop the routine, keep the room clean 

Balance the physical and spiritual accommodation

Sip daily from the written word, learn from the example!

Then put it into practical use within your temple

The real work is to know, the truth is the seed

The real life is to grow into what you need 

Whatever you dwelling on is the reality, that you creating

Use your concentration wisely

Because your only limitation is your imagination

Trapped inside the flesh requiring emancipation from the source of the vexation which is the enemy

Anyhow, you let the mind-control corrupt your state of meditation

You compromised your soul, lose focus of the goal 

And move further from the free, where you are to be -

Shaping your destiny

Guided by The Most High, no need for competition

WHEN CREATIVE CULTIVATION OF THE NATION IS THE MISSION!"

- 'Gratitude'

"Life is so much more than what you're thinking of

Jah Jah done give enough, for everyone of us

People carry on

I tell you live in love

Life is so much more than what you're thinking of!

Jah Jah done give enough, for everyone of us!

People carry on!

I tell you live in love!

From time to time we seem to forget the beauty of life and focus on all the things we've got to deal with

When you check it, life is everything that I ever want and -

Problems just a thought from being, all that I need

From the morning to inna di night -

I'm grateful for the simple way 

DON'T NEED MUCH OF ANYTHING, JUST GIVE MI JAH LOVE TO PENETRATE

Higher thoughts to elevate

Negative vibes, just meditate

Blessing in every situation

Now set it straight

Life is so much more than what you're thinking of

Jah Jah done give enough, for everyone of us

People carry on

I tell you live in love

Life is so much more than what you're thinking of!

Jah Jah done give enough, for everyone of us!

People carry on!

And live in love!

So why the energy to bring another one down?

Just connect with Jah, inside, to turn your life around

Stand up on righteous ground 

And when dem waan see yuh frown - 

Mi tell yah - just gi dem di love, love power sound!

And hail The Most High everyday! 

Lion conquered, here to stay!

Bless Afrika royally!

Go purify your wicked way

Bring di loving yah right away!

Raise up nation rightfully!

Break foundation weh dem lay

And live in peace and inity"

- 'Live In Love'

Lyrics!: Sara Lugo

Today we talk about poetry. Poetry of a most organic and musical order which comes in the form of one of our absolute favourites, Ms. Sara Lugo. Lugo's entire presentation of her music - This wonderfully soulful and Jazzy Reggae blend which has feet firmly planted in each and every genre it visits - is so inherently interesting that it may distract from an area of her gifts which is just as formidable. The spoken word. Working with her style, Sara Lugo's words are able to convey an unforgettable and downright intoxicating level of emotion to her listeners and, also, not only can you feel her conviction of what she says, but she is also able to bring out just how much FUN she has singing her music as well. Today we take a random look at some of her finest efforts in ten fantastically fiery and fully fragrant fragments of fabulous phraseology from the 'Familiar Stranger': Lyrics! Sara Lugo

'Familiar Stranger'

"Waiting for you, waiting for you

My familiar stranger

I can't have you, you can't have me

We can't have each other

Looking for you, looking for you

My familiar stranger

You and I, I and You

We belong together

You won't find the key to my door -

Even if it's billions of years that you've searched for

I don't know you

You don't know me

Oh how I wish to find the key!"

'Smile of A Child'

It's a blessing for the whole world

A blessing for the whole world

I can learn so much, so much from you

Cause you are, so true, so true, so true

You don't fake, you don't break promises

You just live and you love and forgive

I wanna be like you!

Run and fall, and get up again

Don't be scared or afraid

Just try again

I wanna be like you!

Run and fall, and get up again

Don't be scared or afraid and just try again"

[BOOM!]

'Old Roots Rastaman'

"And he knows that he won't live forever

Cause that's just the way it is

Everything has its time

And when the time has come to go he will carry it-

Like a King wears His crown

Know where you're standing

Know your roots

That's how you'll grow old and true 

Know where you're standing

Know your roots

That's how you know"

'And They Cry' featuring Naptali

"Yes they cry

Living on the street

No shoes on their feet

Have no hope at all

And they cry

Living on the street

No shoes on their feet

Have no hope at all

Children in the street, facing everyday

Sadness, noise and pressure in a different way

Everyday they go through a whole lotta stress -

But it doesn't really matter, unless -

It happens at home, on the doorsteps

Everyone's armed, you better don't mess

Stick to the rules and keep it flowing

That's the only way to keep it going

Why? Why?! 

They ask you Lord

Do there have to be fights with guns and swords?

If we are human, with minds and thoughts

People have to learn how to use their words"

'Soul Chaos'

"Soul chaos

Pushing and turning me round

Lifting me up and letting me fall, until I feel nothing at all

Yeah, that's the soul chaos -

Tossing and turning me round

I'm like the butterlfy, falling from the sky

It makes me lose my mind

Questions over questions and tears over tears

Life has so much to teach us, through the years

There's a reason for everything

Don't rush, everything takes time

There's a season for everything

Every word, there's a rhyme

Everything is mixed up, in your mind

Signals from your body, time to time

Confusion ah gwan, so much works to be done

You've been waiting for so long

Hit the tone

Soul chaos

Pushing an turning me round

Lifting me up and letting me fall, until I feel nothing at all"

"What About Love" [2011]
What About Buying It?

 'Mother & Child'

"Mother and child - tears run wild, like a river of sorrow

But deep, down inside they pray for a better tomorrow - a better life

Mother and child - tears run wild, like a river of sorrow

But deep, down inside they pray for a better tomorrow

The path is long, the road - not smooth

No one at home, nothing but a sad mood

Baby's crying, they don't know why

While Mother and Father are living a lie

No food on the table, no honest truth

And no nutrition, to feed the youth

The struggle is tough

Situation rough

But mother and child just can't give up

CAUSE LIFE IS TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE THROWN AWAY 

There is new hope

Hope with the rising of every new day

Mother and child - tears run wild, like a river of sorrow

But deep, down inside they pray for a better tomorrow - a better life

An endless tunnel with no beginning and no end

Searching for freedom and seeking a friend

Mother and child are begging for help

No home

No food

No water

Trapped in social slaughter

More love, more light and future

Mother and child - crossing the border"

[BOOM!]

'Bombs Of Love'

"I’ve seen them fall and I seen them rise

Hear them bawl and spreading lies

Politicians in disguise

I’m, not going to compromise

I’m gonna stay on track, there’s no looking back

I’m ready to attack if I have to

No they’re not going to fool me with their lies

I’ve got bombs of love dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping down!

Bombs of love dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping down!

Bombs of love dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping down!

Bombs of love!

No more tricking.

Oh no!

Time is ticking

Oooh yeah!

And I’ve got no time to lose

You’re not, cannot confuse me

My mind

Or my soul

Or my spirit

Jah is on my side!"

'Learn'

"People judge everything you do

They judge everything you say

[Even when they don't have the right to]

Is it right or wrong?

Wrong

Is it good or bad?

It's not okay

So hard to know how to react

Voices in your head

Listen to your inner voice

Who is right

Who is wrong

Listen to your heart

Who is right

Who is wrong

Listen to your conscience

Who is right

Who is wrong

You - got to learn

Learn to talk

Choose the power of your words and use them right

You have to learn to walk

Every step you take - check left, check right"

'Forward' w/Deliman

We steppin forward, forward, forward

In dis time, no, we neva go backward

We steppin forward, forward, forward

Deliman and Sara lugo in a different style

We steppin forward, forward, forward

In dis time, no, we neva go backward

We steppin forward, forward, forward

Come fi show di people dem that we are well versatile

We keep on rising to the top

No, we never gonna stop

Some would love to see we stop

But we will never give it up

And you know we give Jah thanks for all the talents that we have

When it comes to good music - yes, you know wi inna dat

Turn on the stereo and put the CD in

And sing another song pon a Reggae riddim

We going for our goals and we know we will win

Sing Sara Lugo, come sing!

We steppin forward, forward, forward

In dis time, no, we neva go backward

We steppin forward, forward, forward

Deliman and Sara lugo in a different style

We steppin forward, forward, forward

In dis time, no, we neva go backward

We steppin forward, forward, forward

Come fi show di people dem that we are well versatile"

'One of These Days'

"One of these days, you sit

And then you ask yourself what it's really about

One of these days, you sit

And then you ask yourself what it's really about

Rise up in the morning, first thing I see-

People killing people on my tv screen

It's hard to believe how we live these days

Chasing one another like rats in the race

Hectic in the city, they move so fast

Focus on the future, living in the past

Cant keep up the pace

Feeling out of space

FINGER ON THE TRIGGER, JUST IN CASE

And my thoughts just keep on racing-

About the same old situation

Wishing I could change it

Life is what make it

Sometimes I feel like smiling

Alright

Sometimes I feel like crying

Inside

Sometimes I feel big and strong

Sometimes I feel nothing at all

Sometimes I feel like flying

Away

Sometimes I feel like lying

To myself

Sometimes I don't know what to say

When all the words get in the way

Sometimes I feel like screaming

In my head

Sometimes I feel like dreaming

Abot peace

Sometimes I feel like breaking down

When all I want is safe and sound"

Sara Lugo

{Mash up time. Be back in a few days}

Lyrics!: 2012

Out of everything else that it's managed to do, 2012 has definitely produced one of the most memorable years in recent times in terms of powerful writing. We have seen some of the best lyricists in Reggae step up in some cases and we've also seen up and comers perhaps make their case for belonging in the top group as well. Whichever the case, or any other, the lyrics of this year have largely been fantastic. Today we take a look back at some of our favourite verses and choruses from Reggae this year. Lyrics! 2012

“I can hear the trumpets blowing

And the angel’s choir singing

Ithiopians calling

Hail His Majesty

Zion behold Her glory

Rainbow coloured story

Lion of Judah reigns

The advocate of change

True philosophies -

Fulfilling all history

The seals, the revelation

What a joy!

Sweet redemption!

Ancient of days, worthy to be praised 

King for us now and for always” 

-from 'Zion's Glory' by Mark Wonder

"2012, I hear, might be wi last year

So the Mayans say

It's the end of days

But everybody know, and this is a fact:

Tomorrow might not come, today not coming back

So let go yahself

Forget about all yah troubles -

Put them on a shelf!

Be happy and free yourself

All hands in di air!

Up in di air!

Up in di air!

Di air!

Di air!

JUMP!

Like you have no tomorrow

WAVE!

Like you have no tomorrow

GET ON!

Like you have no tomorrow

JUMP!

Like you have no tomorrow

JUMP!

Like you have no tomorrow

JUMP

Like you have no tomorrow

WAVE!

Like you have no tomorrow

GET ON!

Like you have no tomorrow"

-from 'No Tomorrow' by Claudette Peters 

"Elevate your mind!

Chant Rastafari!

I and I and I, praises to The Most High

Elevate your mind!

Chant Rastafari!

I and I and I, praises to The Most High

Babylon ah have di youth dem lookin in di sky

Waiting for an angel to save I and I

Theif our culture - it, dem deny

Analyze, open your eyes and youth wise

Homeless, restless, babylon careless

Starving, famine

Everything is hopeless

Recession, oppression, depression, dem stepped on

Seek -

And you will find salvation

Price higher

Guns higher

Roadblock, bun tire

War inna babylon system a vampire

Soldiers, police and civilians exchange fire

Not even water can cool this hot lava

Signs and wonders, lightening, thunder

Babylon ah f#@k with Mother Nature

Earthquake, cyclone, flood and brimstone

Drought all about

Mek wi forward to Africa

Hey

Well a babylon ah have di youths dem lost inna bondage

Hocus and pocus, dem cause so much damage

Mental flames have yah brains inna bondage

Free your mind with the wisdom and knowledge"

-from 'Chant Rastafari' by Tarrus Riley

"Hear dem out

Hear wah di streets talk bout:

'No justice. No peace', dem shout

One more politician - one more doubt

One man cry represent all bout

Unfair practice dem dun spiral route 

Make sure you feed your mind not just your mouth

Blind repetition cause spiritual drought

Sure, inna these times, the weak weed out

The real, camouflages make-believe

What is on your screen was already conceived

Isn't it ironic how you wipe your plate clean?

What yah gonna do when we level the playing field?

Uh huh

Time fi ease di tension

Inna due time fi ease di tension

Cycle repeat inna slow motion

Renegade style fi shatter the faction

Fi real - time fi ease di tension

Inna due time fi ease di tension

Cycle repeat inna slow motion

Renegade style shatter the faction

Mental slavery -

Dem still ah chain we

Dem waan wi remain ignorant and getting used daily

Religious fanatics, no dem neva speak plainly

On wid dem struggle a di focus mainly

Lost originality

No morality

I chant truth and I chant reality

Supply di work and still ah form charity

Hide underground and dem leave out di majority

What pon di TV, dem get caught, believe me

Living inna world where nothing no come freely

All dem deh loan what dem care bout really 

ALL ON DEM KNEES AND DEM STILL A SLEEP EASY

You feel me?

Truth be told: The pressure coming back tenfold

No amount of money cannot save ya soul

Caan box me in, cah me no on ya payroll

What kinda livity wah dem ah uphold?

Some choose life and some ah choose bowl

Some choose humility and some ah walk bold

Wi no follow fashion cause dem fashion too old

Find truth that's your own cause di strong stand alone

Hey, let me read your prophecy 

Full circle ah come around wid a tenacity

Sabotage life now you come out wid a casualty

No more you plead, it time fi you pay ya penalty"

-'from Due Time' by Reemah

"If I know the things I knew then, that I know now

My life wouldn't be the same

Cah mi know seh good things come to those who wait

And success comes with pain 

If I know the things I knew then, that I know now

My life wouldn't be the same

Cah mi know seh good things come to those who wait

An greatness come with pain

Mi nah go put mi trust inna no mankind

Almighty mi ah praise from longtime

Look how mi teach dem fi do di ting

Show dem di juggling

And how dem gwan like dem waan take mine

To alla di ladies I've hurt before -

Mi did ah play a game and did ah try fi score

PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR MY CHILDISH WAYS!

Mi know mi nah go do dat no more

This ah di present mi prepare for di future

My mind so focused like a computer

Mi get inspiration from Martin Luther - King

So mi know seh dem caah trick di youth yah 

Nuff people fake and ah gwaan like dem real

Ah smile inna yah face when dem ah try stop ya meal

My success dem did ah try steal

But dem haffi hide when di truth reveal

To alla di people weh use mi and tink dem win -

Remember: everything is everything

Mi caah turn back di hands of time

So Delly deh pon di grind and ah gwan hail The King

Mi nah hold no grudge 

Mi nah cuss nobody 

Mi nuh waan nobody feel seh mi a mad smaddy

Mi nah regret di good nor di bad

Mi just ah step like di child of God"

-from 'If I Knew' by Delly Ranx

"Gangsta a gansta and coward a coward

From you a cat you caan par wid no dog

Hey boy, from you born, you no bad

When man out a di road, run go back inna yo yard

Some bwoy no grow wid no militancy!

Some bwoy no grow wid no militancy!

Some bwoy no grow wid no militancy!

Dem no militant, you can take a minute and si

Cah, mi nah run lef mi parry, mi sorry

Nah inform pon mi chargie to sargie

No information, mi nah gi

Mi nah talk!

So no offer mi no plea bargin

Cause mi - secure mi place lak a guardy 

And mi will share out dem food - gi mi doggie

Mobay man, dem a some bad piece a yardy

MAN A BAD PEOPLE, SO COWARD DEM CAAN CALL MI!"

-from 'Militancy' by Aidonia

"No other genre coula test wi fate

Doh mind Soca artist weh dem doh waan rate

What we do wid ease dem have to concentrate

Wi move fifity-thousand people like it have no weight

Soca music doh get Grammy, nor record deal

We cater music to how de nation feel

So all who a test wi

Come on, address wi

Wi mash dem up snail unda wheel!

Anything just -

MASH UP!

Mash up de party, let dem rag kick like karate

MASH UP!

Mash up de party, mi doh care if you over forty

To all the young ones coming in this game

Don’t be unprepared and make ya ownself shamed

Everybody want to get dem tips and fame

You cannot rise to de top by mashing down man name

Some of you have tune on radio, getting thousand wheel

Look how good the nation, and the people feel

When ya tune leave radio and it live on stage show

Yah better mash up dat stage fi real!"

-from 'Mash Up' by Bunji Garlin

 "Sweet words: Good herbs

And the sign on the room door says -Don’t Disturb-

Naturally preserved

And I gotta lot more in storage, reserved 

No chemicals to harm yah nerves

Smells so good from around the curve 

Authentic marijuana mi plant and serve to Diana and Irv

Don’t worry nor panic

Cause my chronic

My chronic -

Is organic

So take a draw from it

Johnny! 

Hey yah!

Can I have some marijuana?

I wanna smoke it again!

Wanna smoke it again!

When I am on the corner

So gimme that Ochi kush!

From the collie bush!

If mi haffi walk pon foot, tek ride or drive or -

Pedal and push"

-from 'My Chronic' by Perfect Giddimani

"People inna danger, living in fear, satisfy dem curiosity

Entertain di stranger, wi no need no animosity

Fyah to di fuel, wi burn babylon authority

Wi living in a world of technological atrocity

These coming days - no man can prevent

You caan find food without di dollars and cents

You rely upon a system dat don’t make a sense

I give account only for myself

This is a warning, warning!

Hypocrite neva believe Haile Selassie send a judgment from di east

Come ya wid a warning, warning!

Let’s trample di beast -

For winds, earth, sky and sea!

I tell yuh dis a warning, warning!

Let’s take it to di street

Wi fight for justice, won’t accept defeat

Let’s take an advice from di meek

Wi speak di word, whether famine or feast

Hey, don’t live a life to please di devil’s

Withdraw yourself from babylon unknown perils

Repel satan send him back go dung a hell

Haile Selassie I seat up in di heavens

People walk in di shadows of death without dignity

Dem wanna take di life The Most High give to me

And it’s a joy to show dem love, even though dem think contrary

Tell dem di truth and dem nah hear me"

-from 'Warning' by Lutan Fyah

"Dem study ya weakness, study ya strength, study ya vulnerability

Dem come come, siddung pon ya rights and siddung pon throne hereditary

But if you look in a likkle deeper you see the whole hierarchy

Fueled on nepotism, dominating desperately

Well Solomon Throne and David House Yahoshua entrance be

Tell dem di ruler of disparity waan siddung equality

Federal throne and territorial municipalities

Celebrity no supercede over substance you see

Never before in the world have run up so much deficit we

Exhibitionist overboard, over sensuality

Know fi generate a cash you haffi narrate more money

Is di plan you ah tell dem seh so ‘see more, feed me’

A approach from desperate directionally

Breaking T-A-B-O-O every

Know seh generous pride and shame and Negus sensitivity"

-from 'Nothing Restrained' by Midnite

"Tell dem every time seh a love a di solution

World leaders look a new resolution

Industrial companies ah cause di pollution

Di people doesn’t like it, so wi cause a revolution

Babylon ah wonder what di Rastaman made of

Just know Selassie I name mi ah praise up

None of dem can stop di fyah mi ah blaze up

Cause every time you look you si di food price ah raise up

Kill out di boys and they kill out di girls

Destroy Mother Nature and they’re drilling up the Earth

Fighting for di power, through dem waah rule di world

None a dem no great like Selassie I The First

Nuclear warfare, nobody free

Babylon ah dump all a di rubbish inna di sea

Killing vegetation, no cutting down the trees!

Where are di birds and di bees?

Hey, make sure you answer when The Almighty call

Tell you every time babylon haffi go fall

Afrikan people, you gotta stand tall

Why is it di people dem ah suffer inna Somalia

The ozone layer been depleted

SEEMS AS IF YOU WANT DI HUMAN RACE TO BE DELETED

The Almighty works not yet completed

People all over di world been mistreated

Tell di people dem turn to God

Do all the good and don’t do no bad

Everybody don’t love, you’re not happy, you’re always sad

Unite my people, live in love and be glad

Hey, Babylon ah drink blood lak a cannibal

Nuttin no left, not even an animal

Babylon you caan test di Five Star General

Selassie lead us perennial"

-from 'Planet In Peril' by Sizzla Kalonji

"I give Jah thanks for shelter

I give Jah thanks for the rain

For everything that I have as I am

For the life going through my veins

That I can open my eyes this day

With the health and strength to face another day

In a moment it could be taken away

What we ahgo say?

Still The Most High -

Is always there

Most High!

Relief the fear

Most High

Again and again

HE is called by so many names

Most High

Dry up I tears

Most High

No one compares 

Most High 

Again and again

HE is called by so many names

Poor families and good healing

Whatever Jah want I & I to do, I am willing

Deh pon di front line - nuff blood spilling

Recognize dem don't really care nothing for the living

Mass genocide, without ending 

Hypocritic, lunatic too mars dem sending

Pon di Afrikan farmer relief no money spending

Oh what a wicked shame" 

"Most High, You're the reason I'm living so I give thanks and praises to You

Most High, You are my foundation, without you what can we do?

I thank You for this gift of life

Most High!

And for the love that You provide

Most High!

In Your creation we abide

Jah guide I & I"

-from 'Most High' featuring Ima by Ras Batch

"Yes I am trying, trying, trying - to catch a vibe

Trying, trying, trying to get it right

But I don't feel it

Can't you see it?

We can try but we can't fool ourselves"

"So many people dem get wrought up and caught up inna di system

Dem try fi be somebody dat dem not and end up di victim

DI IMAGES DEM DEPICTIN' - FAR FROM WHAT DI SCRIPTURES DAT WAS WRITTEN SAID ABOUT DI PROPHETS AND DI RIGHTEOUS SISTREN

Dem lyin to dem owna self

Dem nuh know wah dem creatin' a dem owna hell, weh dem alone ah dwell

But what you need to know -

If yah heart no feel it, then yah seed won't sew"

"Mi nah feel!

Di way weh dem ah deal wid Rastaman

Mi nah feel!

Di life weh I ah live in babylon

Mi nah feel!

Di lyrics weh some man ah put inna dem song

And di youth weh step a foot inna dem gang

Dem seh nah feel -di fyah weh mi burn

Feel, dem ahgo feel it when di lions dem emerge

Try dem ah try fi mek it work, but yah life it has a purpose

Destiny inside us from wi birth"

- from 'Trying' by Sara Lugo & Kabaka Pyramid

"Life is a struggle, nothing good no come easy

Got to stand up for your rights now

There's no kink in life cycle - what is meant to be will be

Every eye will see Jah light now

Living at a time full of social injustice and inequity

Everyday we fuss and fight now

No powers of man can stop di fulfillment of prophecy

DEM AHGO WITNESS JAH JAH MIGHT NOW

War dem ah wait so dem so dem seh peace is not a possibility

War machine is what dem like yow

Starvation killing millions - tell me where's the generosity?

Tell mi where's the equal rights yow?

Mass political corruption dem call democracy

The working man ah feel di bite yow

Jah alone I & I praise, to babylon mi nah go kneel

This is liberation of your mind

Liberation of your soul

Liberation of your heart

Liberation of your thoughts

FREE UP YOUR MIND AND WALK

Yes this is liberation of your mind

Liberation of your soul

Liberation of your heart

Liberation of your thoughts

FREE UP YOURSELF AND WALK

I & I nah belittle I integrity

I man a no clone inna dem system

Who bring di weapon dem inna dis society?

Cause inna dis city nobody no make dem

Si dem selling their illusion of a people that's free

But that is modern enslavement

To divide and conquer is their philosophy

Every natural resource dem waan tek yeah

Every ancestral bond dem waan break yeah

Inna no babylon ritual I nah partake yeah

And The Most High I will never forsake yeah

Liberate yourself, mentally lock off di shackles and chains -

Inspire some change hey

Deh yah inna crucial time, but still wi gotta maintain, wi got to sustain

Hey babylon ah circle dem prey, dem ah move like vulture

Vampire dem bloodsucking inna dem culture

BUT I & I NAH GET DEVOURED THROUGH WI PROTECT BY THE ALMIGHTY POWER!"

-from 'Liberation' by Ziggi Recado

"Trample di beast and trod to di east

Cah nuff a dem ah live like fleas

Tell dem lock dem mouth when relation ah speak mi si nuff a dem ah live like freak

Bun dem north and south-

Cah fire get hot, mi seh judgment, gnashing of teeth

Blackberry crash!

Dem head get mash!

Dem get confuse cah dem caan tweet

Incomplete

Caan even si it

Nuff a dem fall, can stand pon feet

Likkle more, watch dem, dem ah crawl pon feet

And ah feed, pon di wrong set of things dem ah eat

Youth don’t get defeat

Watch wi ah feast

Nuff stand up pon di cornah wid dem palm waan grease

So mi haffi bun di corrupted priest, weh touch di likkle pickney-

But Jah Jah nah sleep

Trace dem a trace cah chatty mouth dem

Time dem ah waste, wi no matta bout dem

Coulda neva keep none badmind friend, weh ah pree my money, every dollar mi spend

God nah sleep

HIM ah peep pon dem

All wicked deed dem, mi ah fyah bun dem

Nuff a dem ah discriminate Black

End up inna roadblock

Detour gone inna dem end

Well nuff nah go deh deh when Jah Jah role call

Like Gibraltar Rock, so mi standing tall

Dem ah bawl

Dem ah fall

Dem ah crawl

Nuff no memba Jah til dem back ‘gainst the wall

No burn bridges behind you, you will stall

So mi bun badmind and bun dutty heart and slew dem all!"

-from 'Fire Ball' by Busy Signal