54-46 Was My Number
Aswad Lyrics


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Stick it up, mister
Can you hear what I'm saying now, yeah
Get your hands in the air, sir
And you will get no hurt, mister, no no no

I said yeah (I said yeah)
Listen what they say (listen what they say)
Can you hear me say, yeah? (yeah yeah)
Listen what they say (listen what they say)

Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
And give it to a police man?
I wouldn't do that, oh no (ooh, ooh)
I wouldn't do that (ooh, ooh)

And if I do that
I would say sir come on and put the charge on me
I wouldn't do that (ooh, ooh)
I wouldn't do that (ooh, ooh)

I'm not a fool to hurt myself
So I was innocent of what they done to me
They were wrong (ooh, ooh), oh yeah
They were wrong (ooh, ooh)

You give it to me one time (huh)
You give it to me two times (huh-huh)
You give it to me three times (huh-huh-huh)
You give it to me four times (huh-huh-huh-huh)

54-46 was my number, was my number, man
Right now, someone else has that number
54-46 was my number, well
Right now, someone else has that number

And I said yeah (I said yeah)
Listen what they say (listen what they say)
Can you hear me say, yeah? (yeah yeah)
Listen what they say (listen what they say)

Oh, work could not control me now
Oh, no bars could not hold me now
They hold I down and they lock-a you way
They try to keep I for a year and a day
But through the powers of the Most High God
Got to turn me lose, I say

54-46 was my number, was my number, man
Right now, someone else has that number, well




54-46 was my number, was my number, man
Right now, someone else has that numb

Overall Meaning

"54-46 Was My Number" is a reggae song by Jamaican group Aswad, first released in 1978. The lyrics tell the story of a man who, despite being wrongfully accused and imprisoned (54-46 being his prison number), remains unbroken and steadfast in his innocence. The song opens with the singer challenging the police to put their hands up to avoid getting hurt, indicating a combative relationship between the law enforcement and the singer. He then denies wrongdoing, and promises to take responsibility for his actions if necessary, establishing his refusal to be manipulated by the corrupt authority.


In the second stanza, the singer continues to insist on his innocence, rejecting the possibility of self-harm, and stating that he did not do what he is accused of by the police. He then reflects on the experience, saying that he was done wrong by the justice system. In the chorus, the singer affirms that the prison number used to identify him no longer belongs to him, perhaps suggesting that he has been released from prison.


In the third stanza, the song takes a more spiritual direction as the singer credits the Most High God as the one who has delivered him from his struggles. This could be interpreted as a call to a higher power, urging listeners to put their trust in God to guide them through difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

Stick it up, mister
Addressing someone in a commanding tone


Can you hear what I'm saying now, yeah
Asking if the person can understand what is being said


Get your hands in the air, sir
Asking the person to put their hands up


And you will get no hurt, mister, no no no
Promising that the person will not be harmed


I said yeah (I said yeah)
Emphasizing agreement


Listen what they say (listen what they say)
Asking the person to pay attention to what is being said


Can you hear me say, yeah? (yeah yeah)
Confirming that the person is listening


Do you believe I would take such a thing with me
Asking if the person thinks the artist would do something illegal


And give it to a police man?
Handing over evidence to a law enforcement officer


I wouldn't do that, oh no (ooh, ooh)
Denying the accusation


And if I do that
Hypothetically considering the consequence of the action


I would say sir come on and put the charge on me
Willingly accepting responsibility for the action


I'm not a fool to hurt myself
Asserting the singer's intelligence


So I was innocent of what they done to me
Claiming innocence


They were wrong (ooh, ooh), oh yeah
Asserting that others were at fault


You give it to me one time (huh)
Demanding to be given information or something


54-46 was my number, was my number, man
Identifying the artist's unique identifier


Right now, someone else has that number
Someone else now has the singer's identifier


Oh, work could not control me now
Asserting independence from work


Oh, no bars could not hold me now
Asserting freedom from confinement


They hold I down and they lock-a you way
Stating that the artist was held down and falsely accused


They try to keep I for a year and a day
Asserting the extent of the false imprisonment


But through the powers of the Most High God
Crediting a higher power for release


Got to turn me loose, I say
Celebrating release




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Infinitebrandon

I said ya!. Never knew Aswad did this! This was my hitchhiking song, always caught a ride singing toots and maytals.

@djtamspin

R.I.P Drummie xxx Blessed life.

@user-rr9yl1fb1x

Has been one of my favorite songs for a long time. Love this💕💞

@johanbesse

DRUMMIE AMSTERDAM WILL MISS YOU R.I.P YOU MAKE ASWAD GREAT DRUMS AND VOICE .

@albertlondres4455

Diamond of raggae still in listening❤❤❤

@gregoryw562

Big up Toots. Forward to Zion Idren. Selah. Rest in Beats.

@Bigfunkytown

Has been one of my favorite songs for a long time. Love this version.

@janeparfitt65

True dope Aswad at their best.Turn it up,turn it up.Wow Another gem from the guys...' I said  yeh.'... three times...xx

@rkd3654

Yes I like that!

@donnareid1447

Sorry for the last hadn't heard it in a while...but Donna 16 proud as punch with 12inch record of aswad x happy days....think my big cushions wanted to skelp me x thanks Mars and tez ❤

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