As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribbean, part of the aftermath of World War II, the children were moved to London. They attended a local high school near Ladbroke Grove, and various junior schools as Tan Tan children of immigrants from the Caribbean around West London in 1975. Vocalist Brinsley Forde had a brief career on television on the British children's television series "Here Come the Double Deckers" in 1970-71.
The original members of Aswad were Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb, and Donald Griffiths. Courtney Hemmings was a frequent contributor in the 1970s, including as part of the backing band on Burning Spear's 1979 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
They became one the U.K.'s top reggae bands with songs, typical of the time, about the oppression of black youth, such as "Three Babylon" and "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge".
The band gained a wider audience with the New Chapter album (1981). "Fire", the opening track gained wide recognition when it was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land."
Among Aswad's catalogue of hits is "Don't Turn Around", a pop hit in 1988. This track was originally a B-side to Tina Turner's hit "Typical Male", which was later covered by Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles. Their next hit, Shine, was released in 1994. Another track was the upbeat 1998 remake of The Police's "Invisible Sun", performed with Sting.
The band also hold the distinction of having played with each one of the ex-Wailers.
Band members
* Martin Augustine aka "Tatta" - Lead guitar
* Brinsley Forde aka "Dan" (born 16 October 1952, Guyana) - Vocals, Rhythm guitar
* Drummie Zeb aka Angus Gaye (born 1959, London, United Kingdom) - Vocals, Drums
* Donald Griffiths (born 1954, Jamaica)
* Jimmy Haynes aka "Senyah" - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitar
* Clifton Morrison aka "Bigga" - Vocals, Keyboards, Melodica
* George Oban - Left in 1980 - Bass guitar
* Tony Gad - real name Dennis Anthony Robinson, born 11 November 1957, London. Joined in 1980 - Vocals, Bass guitar
Discography
* 1976: Aswad - Mango Records
* 1978: Hulet - Mango Records
* 1981: New Chapter - Columbia Records
* 1981: Showcase - Mango Records
* 1982: A New Chapter of Dub - Mango Records
* 1982: Not Satisfied - Columbia Records
* 1983: Live and Direct - Mango Records
* 1984: Rebel Souls - Mango Records
* 1986: To the Top - Simba
* 1988: Jah Shaka Meets Aswad in Addis Ababa Studio - Jah Shaka
* 1988: Distant Thunder - Mango Records
* 1988: Renaissance - 20 Crucial Tracks - Stylus
* 1989: Aswad: Crucial Tracks
* 1990: Next to You - Alex
* 1990: Too Wicked - Mango Records
* 1993: Firesticks - Alex
* 1994: Rise and Shine - Rhino Entertainment
* 1995: Rise and Shine Again! - Mesa
* 1995: Dub: The Next Frontier - Mesa
* 1997: Big Up - Atlantic Records
* 1999: Roots Revival - Ark 21
* 2002: Cool Summer Reggae
Behold
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
AND SUDDENLY I HEARD...
A VOICE COME TO I AN`SAY`AY
BEHOLD I COME COME QUICKLY
TO PAY EVERY MAN
ACORDING THE WORK SHALL BE HERE
(CHORUS)
THE VOICE OF THE MOST I....
SHOULD BEHOLD
BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY (HEAR WHAT HE SAY TO ONE AN`ALL
BEHOLD
BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY (CAN YU HEAR DIS IS CULTURE)
THIS WORLD IS LIKE A MIRROR
REFLECTED IN WHAT YU DOOOOO
AND IF YU FACE IT SMILING
WILL SMILE RIGHT BACK TO YU...
SO DO ONE TO OTHERS
AS YU WILL'AVE THEM TOO
SO DAT YOUR DAYS
WILL BE MANY MANY EARS MUCH LONGER
(CHORUS)
(CHORUS)
AND I KNOW....DAT IT WAS THE VOICE
THE VOICE OF THE MOST I....
SHOULD BEHOLD
BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY
BEHOLD
BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY
The lyrics to Aswad's song "Behold" speak of a spiritual experience the singer had while traveling up a mountain. The experience involves hearing a voice that promises to come quickly to pay every man according to their work. The chorus repeats the phrase "Behold, I come quickly" and emphasizes that the voice is that of the "Most I" or God.
The second verse emphasizes the concept of karma or "what goes around comes around" by comparing the world to a mirror that reflects back what you put into it. The lyrics advocate for treating others well in order to ensure a long and fulfilling life.
Overall, the song's message is one of spiritual awakening and accountability, urging listeners to live their lives with kindness and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
I WAS TRAVELING UP THE MOUNTAINS ONE DAY
I was journeying up the mountain one day
AND SUDDENLY I HEARD... A VOICE COME TO I AN`SAY`AY
Suddenly, I heard a voice say to me
BEHOLD I COME COME QUICKLY TO PAY EVERY MAN ACORDING THE WORK SHALL BE HERE
I am coming soon to reward every man according to their deeds
AND I KNOW....DAT IT WAS THE VOICE THE VOICE OF THE MOST I.... SHOULD BEHOLD BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY (HEAR WHAT HE SAY TO ONE AN`ALL
I am certain that it was the voice of the Almighty that said, "Behold, I come quickly" (listen to what He says to everyone)
BEHOLD BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY (CAN YU HEAR DIS IS CULTURE)
Behold, behold...I come quickly (can you hear that this is a message from our culture)
THIS WORLD IS LIKE A MIRROR REFLECTED IN WHAT YU DOOOOO
This world is like a mirror, reflecting your actions back at you
AND IF YU FACE IT SMILING WILL SMILE RIGHT BACK TO YU...
If you approach the world with a smile, it will greet you with a smile
SO DO ONE TO OTHERS AS YU WILL'AVE THEM TOO
So, treat others the way you want to be treated
SO DAT YOUR DAYS WILL BE MANY MANY EARS MUCH LONGER
This will ensure that you will have many, many more days on this earth
AND I KNOW....DAT IT WAS THE VOICE THE VOICE OF THE MOST I.... SHOULD BEHOLD BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY BEHOLD BEHOLD...I COME QUICKLY
And again, I am certain that it was the voice of the Almighty who said, "Behold, I come quickly", "Behold, I come quickly"
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LLOYD AKA DALEY DAYES, JOSEPH HILL, ALBERT WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@satij
Aswad one of uks best reggae bands.... In my opinion the best.....
@jackiebrown7229
One of the best albums ever! ❤️💛💚
@mightymyron
My Favorite Album !
@RastaChaka
also my favourite album !
@satij
Brindsley... Drummie...and Terry.......Onetime
@jahstevethecounteractcrew5315
Featured as Song of the Day today on JahSteve.com!!
@vittoriobesio1788
...qualità sopraffina di reggae❤❤❤🙏
@horstlischka3426
Dyna!!!!!!!
@janiebarker2687
❤
@robinrhodie371
SHOUT OUT TO ASWAD I SEE MOVIE REGGAE IN BABYLON EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE JAH RASTAFARI GIVES THANKS PRAISE BIG UP EVERYTIME 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🦁🦁🦁🎶🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵❤❤❤⚘⚘⚘