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As only a live band it was called Misty. First albums were two live albums 1979 created by help from toilers in England and Sweden: Live at the Counter Eurovision and Misty Over Sweden. Both records are full of Rastafarian and anti-fascist songs. They were favoured by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, helping to bring roots reggae bands to a more mixed West European audience. With a career spanning 5 decades, they are one of the UK’s finest reggae groups. The band was one of the most powerful live reggae acts to emerge from 1970s London, and they were a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement.
This British based roots reggae band Misty first came together in 1974, as backing band for well known Jamaican reggae bands and artists performing in London. One was the late, great Nicky Thomas - one of Jamaica's all time greats who had achieved national chart success with songs such as "Love Of The Common People". Nicky Thomas was a great inspirer for Misty In Roots.
By 1978 Misty In Roots began to develop their own orthodox roots reggae sound. Their powerful lyrics inspired by the economic decline, a growing awareness of their African culture, and a spiritual awakening inspired tracks as "Ghetto Of The City", "Sodom & Gomorrah" and "Mankind", all off which can be found on the band's first album "Live At The Counter Eurovision" and the 'twin album' "Misty Over Sweden", recorded on their tour in Sweden 1979.
During the period 1977-78 the political situation in the U.K. was a breaking point. Black consciousness was at its peak and racism roamed the streets of London. Unemployment was affecting both black and white youths and through this depression a new musical alliance was born, young white youths totally fed up with the status quo turned to playing punk music whilst at the same time identifying strongly with the British reggae acts as Misty In Roots, Steel Pulse and Aswad. With the coming of the ‘Rock against Racism’ movement, the musical fight-back had begun, and for the first time black and white musicians were playing together on the same platform bringing about a totally new concept in musical awareness.
Misty In Roots, one of the most powerful live reggae acts to have come out of London, and noted for their powerful roots reggae sound, and uncompromising lyrical vibrations, became the major force in Rock Against Racism, playing more concerts than any other band in the movement. This opened up a whole new audience for the band who quickly developed a very strong cross over audience, playing with acts such as Tom Robinson, The Ruts and Elvis Costello.
Despite Misty In Roots' huge success as a live act the band did not release their first album until 1979. The album Live At The Counter Eurovision, which was recorded live in Belgium during the band's 1978 tour, is today still proclaimed by many critics as the best live reggae album of all time. Misty In Roots followed Live At The Counter Eurovision with a string of limited edition singles such as "Oh Wicked Man", "Rich Man", "Salvation", "How Long Jah" and "See Them Ah Come".
The band’s second album Wise And Foolish was released in 1982 and took on a more mellow, jazzy and soulful tone.
By 1982 Misty In Roots was a force to be reckoned with but because of their determination to remain independent the band took a major step into Africa spending nine months in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The period spent in Africa had a major impact on the development of Misty In Roots' following two albums Earth and Musi O Tunya, both of which were directly inspired by the band’s experiences in Africa.
Earth, released in 1983, was a moving musical documentation of the devastation caused to mother Earth by mankind because of greed, cruelty and ignorance. The album consists of classic tracks as "Follow Fashion", "Earth", "Poor And Needy", "Own Them Control Them" and "Servant To Jah".
Musi O Tunya, released in 1985, was a reflection of the band’s love for Africa. Musi O Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is a beautiful place where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, and the great Zambezi river gives up all its might to form one of the most beautiful sights of Southern Africa. The Musi O Tunya falls are known in English as Victoria Falls.
During 1987, Misty In Roots took their first trip to West Africa, the spiritual home of their ancestors, it was indeed a pleasant experience to set foot in the region after four hundred years in exile.
1989 saw the beginning of a friendship between Misty In Roots and Kaz Records, which resulted in the release of the album Forward which saw Misty In Roots reach the heights once again.
At Roots Controller 2002 the band showed that roots reggae is a very alive, and they inspired new, young artists all over the world to change style from dancehall and digital ragga to roots.
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
* Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 (1979) [recorded live in Belgium]
* Misty Over Sweden (1979) [Swedish release - recorded live in Sweden]
* Wise and Foolish (1981)
* Earth (1983)
* Musi-O-Tunya (1985)
* Forward (1989)
* Chronicles - The Best of (1994)
* The John Peel Sessions (1995)
* Jah Sees Jah Knows (1997) [2CD version includes bonus CD of Live at the Counter Eurovision '79]
* Roots Controller (2002) [6 new tracks plus previously-released material]
True Rasta
Misty In Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jah no send no sanfi(?) catch pon fiyah
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day yaaha
Jah no send no sanfi catch pon fiyah
Two thousand years ago, so them tell I and I
Iyesus Christos trod this land
Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind
Preaching the Kingdom of Jah and telling 'bout the last days
His ways, can't you hear me?
His ways, can't you hear me?
Can't say I never warn you
Can't say I never tell you
Judgement's coming on the land
Judgement's coming
Shall be woes, murmurs and rumours of wars
Nation fight nation and kingdom fight kingdom
Daily sacrifice shall be taken away
Abomination that make desolate
Standing where it should not stand
And then you shall
See angels singing
Hear trumpets blowing
Wise men are saying
These are the days
Days we've been waiting
And Jah Jah a go
Burn down Babylon
Burn down Babylon
Burn down Babylon
Burn down Babylon
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day ya
Jah no send no sanfi(?) catch pon fiyah
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day yaaha
Jah no send no sanfi catch pon fiyah
True Rastaman, stand up Rastaman
True Rastaman should not stumble
True Rastaman, stand firm Rastaman
True Rastaman should not stumble
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day ya
Jah no send no sanfi(?) catch pon fiyah
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day yaaha
Jah no send no sanfi catch pon fiyah
(repeat)
The song "True Rasta" by Misty in Roots is a reggae song that discusses Judgement Day, which according to the Bible, is the day when God will judge all souls on earth. The song begins by stating that judgement day is coming and that Jah (God) will not send any "sanfi," or innocent, to be caught in the fire. The singer then references the story of Jesus Christ, who is said to have preached the Kingdom of Jah and warned of the last days. The chorus repeats the idea that judgement day is coming and that God will not punish the innocent.
The song uses biblical references to describe the events that will occur on judgement day. The second verse mentions wars, the removal of daily sacrifice, and the possibility of an abomination that makes things desolate. The singer then emphasizes that wise men are saying that we are living in the days we've been waiting for, and that Jah will burn down Babylon, which is a symbolic term for evil and corruption.
The song also calls for true Rastamen to stand up and not stumble. The idea is that those who follow the true way of Rastafari, which includes living a righteous life, will be saved on judgement day. Misty in Roots emphasizes the need for people to be vigilant and to live according to the teachings of Jah, in order to be prepared for judgement day.
Overall, "True Rasta" is a powerful song that uses biblical imagery to convey the message of living a righteous life in preparation for judgement day. It emphasizes the need to live in a way that is pleasing to Jah and to be aware of the events that are occurring in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Judgement Day ya Judgement Day ya
The day of reckoning is coming, it's imminent
Jah no send no sanfi(?) catch pon fiyah
God won't send his holy angels to catch anyone who deserves punishment, they will be burned in hellfire
Two thousand years ago, so them tell I and I
As per the tales I heard, about two millennia ago
Iyesus Christos trod this land
Jesus Christ visited this earth
Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind
I share great news of joy and hope to you and everyone else
Preaching the Kingdom of Jah and telling 'bout the last days
Promoting the almighty God's kingdom and warning everyone about the apocalyptic times
His ways, can't you hear me?
Can't you hear me telling about God's path and teachings?
Can't say I never warn you
You can't deny that I never warned you
Judgement's coming on the land
The land will face a day of judgement
Shall be woes, murmurs and rumours of wars
The land would be plagued with destruction, unrest, and stories of wars
Nation fight nation and kingdom fight kingdom
Countries will battle against countries and kingdoms against kingdoms
Daily sacrifice shall be taken away
The crucial rituals will be stopped
Abomination that make desolate
A revolting act of desecration and ruin
Standing where it should not stand
An act against the laws of God
And then you shall
At that point
See angels singing
Witness heavenly creatures singing
Hear trumpets blowing
Listen to the sound of trumpets being blown
Wise men are saying
The knowledgeable people claim
These are the days
This is a significant period
Days we've been waiting
The days that people have been anticipating
And Jah Jah a go
And God will
Burn down Babylon
Burn down the corrupted society
True Rastaman, stand up Rastaman
A genuine Rastafarian should be courageous and assertive
True Rastaman should not stumble
A genuine Rastafarian shouldn't waver or falter
True Rastaman, stand firm Rastaman
A real Rastafarian should remain steadfast and strong
Contributed by Madelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.