Unseen Guest
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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Jah Jah watch over I . . .
Evil, what you, what you sonna do? Yeh,
Jah Jah watch over I, yeh
Convicted and restricted still ...
Jah watch over I
Evil, what you, what you gonna do? Yeh
Jah Jah watch over I yeh
Physically defeated I,
I felt a stroke at the crack of dawn yeh,
And I paralyse my mind, my imagination, To my execution
To every anil of death I heard
I count the links to which I'm bound eh...
CHORUS
Down in the dungeon
I heard them constructing, the scaffold
Where . . . I'll be lynched aloft high
The thoughts of me to die
Rocking like a pendulum,
Anyway it does'nt matter cause
I'll be swinging to the rhythms of heh.
CHORUS
Hey! Victory!
Dragged From my dwellings of
Pre-death confinement
Where rats and beetles molest,
Romp with the hay.
I was off to a rope and man powered wild flight
I was : entering into another world and
Same time me deh - yah
Deh - weh - me - deh a hol-lar
A hollar, a hollar, a hollar,
Just a laugh heh.
CHORUS
Jah Jah watch over I
Evil, what you Sonna do. Jah Jah
The song "Unseen Guest" by Steel Pulse is a powerful commentary on the issue of injustice and oppression. The lyrics depict the resilience and faith of the singer in the face of adversity. The use of the phrase "Jah Jah" as a reference to God, is a nod to the Rastafari movement, of which the band members are a part of. The opening lines, "I survive, Jah Jah watch over I", showcase the singer's belief in divine protection despite facing an evil force.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer has been convicted and restricted, and is physically defeated. He speaks of feeling a stroke at the crack of dawn and being paralyzed by the thought of his execution. The use of a dangling rope as a metaphor for the singer's impending lynching creates a visceral image and highlights the brutality of the act. However, despite the looming threat of death, the singer remains defiant, vowing to swing to the rhythms of Jah.
The final verse portrays the singer being rescued from his confinement and being led to safety with a sense of urgency. Amidst the chaos of the escape, the singer finds a moment of levity, laughing off his situation while still acknowledging Jah's protection. Overall, Steel Pulse's "Unseen Guest" is a powerful and moving ode to faith in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I survive
Despite the challenges and dangers faced, I am still alive
Jah Jah watch over I . . .
God is watching over me and providing protection
Evil, what you, what you sonna do? Yeh,
Challenging the negative forces in the world, wondering what they will do next
Convicted and restricted still ...
Even though I have been found guilty and confined, I am still pushing on
Physically defeated I,
I have been physically beaten and weakened
I felt a stroke at the crack of dawn yeh,
I experienced a sudden, powerful sensation early in the morning
And I paralyse my mind, my imagination, To my execution
I am stifled and unable to think or imagine, even to the point of my own death
To every anil of death I heard
Every sound and sign points towards my approaching death
I count the links to which I'm bound eh...
I am aware of the numerous chains and restraints holding me back
Down in the dungeon
I am trapped in a dark, underground space
I heard them constructing, the scaffold
I can hear my executioners building the structure used to kill me
Where . . . I'll be lynched aloft high
I know I will be hanged from a high structure
The thoughts of me to die
I am consumed with thoughts of my impending death
Rocking like a pendulum,
I am swinging back and forth, like a pendulum
Anyway it does'nt matter cause
Despite my situation, it ultimately doesn't matter
I'll be swinging to the rhythms of heh.
I will continue to move and flow, just like the music
Hey! Victory!
Expressing triumph and success
Dragged From my dwellings of
Taken forcefully from my home or cell
Pre-death confinement
The imprisonment before my execution
Where rats and beetles molest,
I am subjected to the infestation and harassment of pests
Romp with the hay.
Playing and having fun in the hay
I was off to a rope and man powered wild flight
I was being taken away by the force of rope and human action
I was : entering into another world and
I was crossing over into a different realm or state of being
Same time me deh - yah
Despite this, I am still here in the present
Deh - weh - me - deh a hol-lar
Shouting and laughing loudly in the moment
Just a laugh heh.
Just enjoying the moment and laughing
Jah Jah watch over I
As before, God is still watching over and protecting me
Evil, what you Sonna do. Jah Jah
A repeated call to action against the negative forces of the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jwsalsa
30 years after listening to this, nothing changed it's still magic. Tribute to the Martyrs and Earth Crisis both must have - a blessing
Momo Momo
Earth crisis for ever
Keith Whobrey
Free
Daniel Dawud
All time great music🔥
colin gillett
My favorite band...you have to be on another level to come up with this beat and lyrics..
Tony Mawuena Grant
I tell you Bredda!🤜🏿🤛🏿
rjy8960
This album blew me away growing up in the early 80's. Still as brilliant as it was when I first heard it and still very much one of my most coveted albums. I think this album alone instilled my love of reggae, ska, rock steady and punk and helped empower me on my journey to think rather than follow.
I'm an atheist through choice, but Jah love all x
WhyNotTruth
One of the greatest albums of all time.
Jaap Leegstra
What a great song , timeless and so strong ! Love from the Netherlands
andii doode
This album captures a mood and a time