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Handsworth Revolution
Steel Pulse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I say the people of Handsworth
Knows that one hand wash the other so they say
So let's join hands, my bredren
Make the way for our children (our children, our children)
And their children (their children, their children)
Ensuring that they get life's fair share of
Equality
Doesn't justice stand for all?
Doesn't justice stand for all?
Doesn't justice stand for all mankind?
We find society putting us down
Crowning us, crowning us, crowning us, crowning us
A place of evil, oh, oh
Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth means us the Black people
We're talking now
Speaking Jah Jah language

Long, long way we're coming from
To send this message across, across
Been hidden, forbidden, concealed, unrevealed
It's got to come out in the open that

Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling

It was foolish to build it on the sand
Handsworth shall stand firm like Jah rock
Fighting back
We once beggars are now choosers
No intention to be losers
Striving forward with ambition
And if it takes ammunition
We rebel in Handsworth revolution
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth revolution
Revolution

Dread town, dread town, dread town
Dread town, dread town, dread town

Dread we are for a cause
Deprived of many things
Experienced phony laws
Hatred Babylon brings
We know what you've got to offer
We know what's going on
Don't want no favors
'Cause there's still hunger
Innocent convicted
Poor wage, hard labor
Only Babylon prospers
And the humble suffer
They are my brothers, yeah, in South Africa
One Black represent all, all over the world
Can't bear it no longer
Blessed with the power
Of Jah Creator
We will get stronger
And we will conquer
And forward ever, and backward never
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution

Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steel Pulse's song Handsworth Revolution are a call for unity and equality among the Black people of Handsworth. The song starts with a recognition that the people of Handsworth understand the importance of working together ("one hand wash the other"), and urges all Black people to join hands and pave the way for future generations to enjoy life's fair share of equality and justice. The lyrics challenge the societal system that oppresses Black people, implying that justice should apply to all and questioning why society is putting Black people down. The chorus repeats the phrase "Handsworth revolution" as a call to action to take a stand against the oppressive system and fight for change.


The second half of the song focuses on the idea that Babylon (a term sometimes used to describe the oppressive system or government) is falling and that Handsworth, as a symbol of Black resistance, will stand firm like Jah rock (a reference to Jah, an important figure in Rastafarianism). The lyrics express the frustration of Black people who are deprived of their rights and subjected to phony laws and hard labor while Babylon prospers. The song implores Black people to unite and fight against the oppression, using their power and strength to overcome the obstacles in their way.


Line by Line Meaning

I say the people of Handsworth
The citizens of Handsworth are aware of the benefits of working together


Knows that one hand wash the other so they say
Handsworth is a community where people are willing to help one another


So let's join hands, my bredren
Let us collaborate and support each other, my brothers


Make the way for our children (our children, our children)
Create opportunities for the next generation to thrive and succeed


And their children (their children, their children)
Ensure that our children's children also have the same chances for success and prosperity


Ensuring that they get life's fair share of
We are committed to guaranteeing them an equitable distribution of


Equality
Equal opportunities, treatment, and rights regardless of race or ethnicity


Doesn't justice stand for all?
Shouldn't justice be impartial and available to everyone?


Doesn't justice stand for all?
Shouldn't justice be impartial and available to everyone?


Doesn't justice stand for all mankind?
Shouldn't justice apply to every human being and society?


We find society putting us down
We encounter prejudice, discrimination, and oppression in society


Crowning us, crowning us, crowning us, crowning us
Society systematically marginalizes and oppresses us


A place of evil, oh, oh
Society is hostile, malevolent, and cruel towards us


Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth is a community of African descent people


Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth is a community of African descent people


We're talking now
We are speaking up and expressing our opinions and concerns


Speaking Jah Jah language
Expressing ourselves in a way that is consistent with our Rastafarian faith and culture


Long, long way we're coming from
We have come a long and arduous journey


To send this message across, across
To spread this message broadly and reach many people


Been hidden, forbidden, concealed, unrevealed
Our message has been suppressed, censored, and ignored for too long


It's got to come out in the open that
We must bring our message out in the open that


Babylon is falling
The oppressive and corrupt system of Babylon is on the verge of collapse


Babylon is falling
The oppressive and corrupt system of Babylon is on the verge of collapse


It was foolish to build it on the sand
Babylon's foundation was unstable and unsustainable


Handsworth shall stand firm like Jah rock
Handsworth will remain solid and unyielding, like the foundation of our Rastafarian faith


Fighting back
We are pushing back against oppression and fighting for our rights


We once beggars are now choosers
We were once powerless and impoverished, but now we have agency and self-determination


No intention to be losers
We refuse to accept defeat or submission


Striving forward with ambition
We are pursuing our goals with determination and enthusiasm


And if it takes ammunition
We are prepared to use force and violence to defend our rights and freedoms


We rebel in Handsworth revolution
We are engaged in a revolutionary struggle against oppression and inequality in Handsworth


Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth


Handsworth, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth is the location of our revolutionary struggle for justice and equality


Dread town, dread town, dread town
Handsworth is a place of fear, anxiety, and danger


Dread town, dread town, dread town
Handsworth is a place of fear, anxiety, and danger


Dread we are for a cause
We are fearful but committed to our struggle against oppression


Deprived of many things
We are deprived of basic necessities, rights, and opportunities


Experienced phony laws
We have been subjected to unjust and discriminatory laws


Hatred Babylon brings
Babylon's system and ideology promotes hatred, intolerance, and oppression


We know what you've got to offer
We are aware of Babylon's oppressive agenda and tactics


We know what's going on
We are knowledgeable and well-informed about the situation


Don't want no favors
We don't want any handouts, concessions, or privileges


'Cause there's still hunger
Because there is still poverty, deprivation, and hunger in our community


Innocent convicted
Innocent people are unfairly convicted and punished


Poor wage, hard labor
We are paid low wages for hard and dangerous work


Only Babylon prospers
Babylon system and its elites are the only ones benefiting from the current situation


And the humble suffer
The poor, powerless, and marginalized suffer the most under Babylon's system


They are my brothers, yeah, in South Africa
Our fellow black people in South Africa are our brothers and sisters in the struggle against oppression and racism


One Black represent all, all over the world
Every black person represents the entire race and its struggle, no matter where they are in the world


Can't bear it no longer
We can no longer tolerate the injustice and oppression we face every day


Blessed with the power
We are empowered by our Rastafarian faith and culture


Of Jah Creator
We are blessed and guided by the divine power of Jah


We will get stronger
Our struggle will make us stronger, more resilient, and more united


And we will conquer
We will overcome oppression and injustice through our sustained struggle and determination


And forward ever, and backward never
We are committed to moving forward and advancing our cause, and we will never give up or retreat


Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth


Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth


Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth is the location of our revolutionary struggle for justice and equality


Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes


Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes


Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes


Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Robert Hinds, Alphonso Martin Martin, Basil Gabbidon, Mike S Riley, Ronnie McQueen, Selwyn Brown, Steve Nesbitt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@victorbema2064

My brother used to continuously play these songs and i ended up loving them....This is for you Sid.....Rest in Peace

@tacsmoker

Sid sounded like a good man.

@sawtoothiandi

@davidcuthrell4455

Your brother knew what was up, way back then! Much luv bro.

@tapeworm6093

🙏

@charlestaylor3099

They get in your head and stay there 💯

1 More Replies...

@stevesteadman666

I was born in Handsworth in 1957 and grew up there until I left in 1975 - I sometimes go back to visit. It will always be be my home. I had friends of many ethnicities. Bless them all 🙏

@djjjk

Remember buying this back in 78, still sounds magnificent, has lost none of its power. Handsworth is now everywhere. Rise up!

@petrichor649

None of it, LKJ also

@djjjk

@GEOFF H Yes, LKJ is excellent too. No more heroes any more!

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