Roots
-Fred- Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Les doigts d’pied en éventail sous le ciel de Jamaïque
Jus de mangue ou de papaye et un zeste de musique
On a pris dans les valoches des morceaux d’Alpha Blondy
Burning Spear ou Peter Tosh, Bob, Tiken Jah Fakoly
Une analyse en détail voit du ska, du rocksteady
Contretemps au gouvernail, bonne connivence basse/batterie
C’est binaire sur les partoches, voilà tout le diagnostic
Plutôt pas mal comme accroche, comme dogmatique philosophique

In Kingston town, they’re tons of sounds, of sounds of reggae
Reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route
Encore et toujours du reggae

Les doigts d’pied en éventail sous le ciel de Jamaïque
Jus de mangue ou de papaye et un zeste de musique
On a pris dans les valoches des morceaux d’Alpha Blondy
Burning Spear ou Peter Tosh, Bob, Tiken Jah Fakoly
Si eux n’ont plus de dreads, c’est parce que la calvitie
A fait qu’ils sont tombés raides, raides sous des yeux ébaubis
En Espagne ou en Suède, quand se déroulent les festis
On fait pas dans l’apartheid, le raga on aime aussi

In Kingston town, they’re tons of sounds, of sounds of reggae
Reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route
Encore et toujours du reggae

J’cultive les roots man dans mon espace jardin
J’en suis un pro, j’en suis un fan du soir jusqu’au matin
Le long d’la route, man, les chants jamaïcains
Inspirent aux profanes le culte du rasta, c’est certain
Tout l’monde danse, tout l’monde chante
Il n’y a qu’à faire ouyo, ouyé, yoyo
Des paroles obsédantes
Qui restent bien dans le cerveau, ouyo !

In Kingston town, they’re tons of sounds, of sounds of reggae




Reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route
Encore et toujours du reggae

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of -Fred-'s song "Roots" celebrate the reggae music and its influence on the artist and the world. The opening lines paint a picture of relaxation and paradise, with toes in the air under the Jamaican sky, enjoying a refreshing mango or papaya juice and a touch of music. The mention of Alpha Blondy, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, and Tiken Jah Fakoly reflects the artist's appreciation for reggae icons and their impact on the genre.


The lyrics also touch upon the different elements of reggae, such as ska and rocksteady, and the important connection between the bass and drums. The mention of the binary notation on the sheet music suggests the simplicity and effectiveness of reggae's groove.


The chorus reinforces the idea that in Kingston, the birthplace of reggae, there are countless sounds and variations of the genre. The repetition of "reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route" emphasizes the enduring presence of reggae throughout time and its constant evolution.


The verses continue to highlight the influence of reggae globally, whether it's in Spain, Sweden, or during music festivals. The lyrics mention the acceptance and appreciation of different reggae styles, showing that it transcends boundaries and unites people through its infectious rhythms.


In the final verse, -Fred- expresses his personal connection to reggae, proclaiming himself as a "roots man" and a dedicated fan of the genre. He states that the Jamaican chants inspire even those unfamiliar with the culture to appreciate the spirituality and significance of Rastafarianism. The repetition of "tout le monde danse, tout le monde chante" emphasizes the universal appeal of reggae and its ability to bring people together.


In summary, the lyrics of -Fred-'s "Roots" celebrate the essence of reggae music, its influence on different cultures, and its ability to unite people through its universal appeal and infectious rhythms.


Line by Line Meaning

Les doigts d’pied en éventail sous le ciel de Jamaïque
With toes spread out under the Jamaican sky


Jus de mangue ou de papaye et un zeste de musique
Mango or papaya juice with a hint of music


On a pris dans les valoches des morceaux d’Alpha Blondy
We took pieces of Alpha Blondy in our suitcases


Burning Spear ou Peter Tosh, Bob, Tiken Jah Fakoly
Burning Spear or Peter Tosh, Bob, Tiken Jah Fakoly


Une analyse en détail voit du ska, du rocksteady
A detailed analysis reveals ska, rocksteady


Contretemps au gouvernail, bonne connivence basse/batterie
Missteps at the helm, good bass/drums harmony


C’est binaire sur les partoches, voilà tout le diagnostic
It's binary on the scores, that's the whole diagnosis


Plutôt pas mal comme accroche, comme dogmatique philosophique
Quite catchy, like a dogmatic philosophy


In Kingston town, they’re tons of sounds, of sounds of reggae
In Kingston town, there are many reggae sounds


Reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route
Reggae roots, no doubt, reggae on the road


Encore et toujours du reggae
More and more reggae


Si eux n’ont plus de dreads, c’est parce que la calvitie
If they no longer have dreads, it's because of baldness


A fait qu’ils sont tombés raides, raides sous des yeux ébaubis
Causing them to fall flat, flat under astonished eyes


En Espagne ou en Suède, quand se déroulent les festis
In Spain or Sweden, when the festivals take place


On fait pas dans l’apartheid, le raga on aime aussi
We don't do apartheid, we also love raga


J’cultive les roots man dans mon espace jardin
I cultivate the roots man in my garden space


J’en suis un pro, j’en suis un fan du soir jusqu’au matin
I'm a pro, I'm a fan from night till morning


Le long d’la route, man, les chants jamaïcains
Along the road, man, the Jamaican chants


Inspirent aux profanes le culte du rasta, c’est certain
Inspire the uninitiated with the worship of Rasta, that's certain


Tout l’monde danse, tout l’monde chante
Everyone dances, everyone sings


Il n’y a qu’à faire ouyo, ouyé, yoyo
Just go with ouyo, ouyé, yoyo


Des paroles obsédantes
Obsessive lyrics


Qui restent bien dans le cerveau, ouyo !
That stay in your brain, ouyo!


In Kingston town, they’re tons of sounds, of sounds of reggae
In Kingston town, there are many reggae sounds


Reggae roots sans doute, reggae sur la route
Reggae roots, no doubt, reggae on the road


Encore et toujours du reggae
More and more reggae




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Creating Coghlans

Hi Jess! I haven’t posted before but I have deeply enjoyed your content!

I have a funny story about moving from the west coast to Colorado when I was 16. The first winter I was here I noticed all the grass turned brown, and in California when grass turns brown (at least in the Bay Area where I lived) it meant it was dead. So I mentioned to my friend “wow! You must spend so much money on landscaping each year!!” And he was very confused then told me grass goes dormant! Then comes back!!

It totally surprised me!

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Debra Keith

Jess. This might be my first YouTube comment.

I love your content. Your family has such great energy. I have learned more about gardens having watched you, I have now purchased my 4tg greenstalk (thank you for the coupon code) but the most important thing I have taken away...is to not be as hard on myself as I tend to be.

I share your message about seasons of overwhelm... With people I am close to.

The ONLY sadness about your channel (that is nearly envy-adjacent) is when I see Ben eat a tomato and his FACE gets so happy. I smile every time and then I look judgementally towards my tomato-avoidant children. ;)

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Bradford Homestead

We appreciate you so much! Tell your hubs thanks for his service-
Happy Veterans Day to all our wonderful vets!!

Ray Young

By your definition I must have urban resilience. My house and cars are paid for. I have no credit card debt. I’m driving vehicles that will last 10-15 years. I have enough to travel when I want to. I am from a generation where if it all falls apart we’ll just do without and be mostly content with our lifestyle. I don’t grow my own food and if something I’m eating kills me then I just get to go to heaven that much sooner…a pretty good place to be in.😇. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Roots and Refuge Farm

Honestly knowing how to do without is a huge key. I’m afraid a lot of people now don’t know how. People spend so much time and energy avoiding discomfort.

Lisa A Johnson

I got three old men on our road exactly like you. None them grow their own food but all pride themselves in their money. If something were to happen that they couldn’t go to the local restaurants or grocery stores, I would feed them. I have planned for this. Two of them are bachelors and one is taking care of his wife who has dementia. My house is worst looking on the street. My cars are the oldest and look like crap compared to the Land Rover, BMW and new Chevy truck they have, all paid for according to them. However, I grow enough food for a family of 10+ every year. We sell some but mostly store for us and our extended friends and family. The most important part of resilience is knowing what areas it’s vital to develop it in. If you’re dead….well your done. If you’re sick, you’re suffering and if you’re hungry, you’re miserable. Remember there is no guarantee of Heaven, only the hope we’ll all get there someday. In the mean time, try to build in that resilience in the areas it serves the most purpose, health and well being.

Princess Babibear

​@Roots and Refuge Farm As a person who deals with chronic illness and medical bills that can't be avoided, this makes me sad.
We need to be careful not to lose empathy for those whom are suffering and not imply to them they need to deal with their discomfort instead of getting the help they need or offering them support. Let's be careful not to shame people in their suffering.
I agree that things today considered basic necessities are not. I think it would help our society immensely if we could give up soda pop and chips and alcohol.
Anyway, I love your channel and I appreciate your content. Thank you for taking the time to make the videos to help us become more aware.

Katie

​@Princess BabibearYikes. That's not what she meant by "discomfort." Inconvenienced might be a suitable alternative word.

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I frequently say my garden makes me feel powerful. Resilient is also a great word to describe how it feels. Just got 4 layer hens, all my township allows. Here's to layering resilience, feeling powerful and hopeful!

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