Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted fo… Read Full Bio ↴Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B, soul, and soca influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the early 1970s, and have released a total of twenty-one albums.

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

Rebel
Aswad Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul

Give me light to brighten up my day
Give me health and strength so I can make, my, my own, own way
As the darkness of the night

Fades away, yellow sun begins to shine
I see my freedom over yonder
But they steal it away
Yes, they steal it away

So I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul

To save my face, shave of disgrace
I keep laughing like a clown
Stripped of all identity, I am bare beneath the stares
But you can't walk with your head on down
For you just can't see
Which way to go?
Which way to go?

So I a rebel soul
I a rebel, a rebel
I a born a rebel
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel, a rebel
I a born a rebel

Though transgression finds me, I'm confused by the (?)
My captors mesmerize me all to, to bring me down
Still we are the children of the father, and he expects I and I
To push on through, to push on through
Push on through
So the real vanity I can find, so jah, jah
I can be free
I can be free
I can be free
A rebel, a rebel (I a rebel soul) a rebel, I don't know, rebel (I a rebel soul)
I a rebel, I be a rebel (I a rebel soul)
I be a rebel (I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul)

And you got to face reality, the bottom will be dread, heavy like lead
And the jester will run out of time
Your back's against the wall, and they don't mind if you fall
Look they'll use you, and abuse you, try their best to confuse you, so

A rebel soul
(I a rebel soul) I a rebel
I'll be a rebel, if you no rebel, then I no know (I a rebel soul)

I I a rebel, if you no rebel, then I no know (I a rebel soul)
(I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aswad's song Rebel are an expression of a rebel spirit, one that refuses to submit to the oppressive forces that surround it. The singer is asking for light, health, and strength to navigate their own path. They see their freedom in the distance, but it is constantly being taken away from them. Despite this, the singer remains a rebel soul, refusing to bow down to those who seek to control them.

The second verse speaks of the pressure to conform, to hide behind a facade of laughter, and to strip oneself of their identity. The singer recognizes the difficulty of walking with one's head down, of being unable to see which way to go, but they refuse to lose sight of their rebellious spirit. Even in the face of confusion and captivity, the singer believes that they and their fellow rebels are children of the father and are expected to push through.

The final verse speaks to the reality of rebellion, where the consequences may be heavy and the jester's time will run out. Nonetheless, to remain true to oneself and resist attempts at manipulation is the only option for a rebel soul.

Overall, Rebel is a passionate expression of the need for rebellion and the struggles faced by those who refuse to submit to oppressive forces.

Line by Line Meaning

I a rebel soul
I am a person who refuses to follow conventional rules or behaviors and has a strong desire to be free.

Give me light to brighten up my day
Help me find the positivity in my life so that I can face my challenges with a more positive mindset.

Give me health and strength so I can make, my, my own, own way
Give me the physical and mental capacity to carve out my own path in life and make my own decisions.

As the darkness of the night Fades away, yellow sun begins to shine
As the difficult times in my life pass, I am starting to see hope and brighter opportunities.

I see my freedom over yonder But they steal it away Yes, they steal it away
I can see the freedom that is available to me, but those in power try to take it away from me.

To save my face, shave of disgrace I keep laughing like a clown
To avoid feeling embarrassed or ashamed, I put on a facade of happiness and humor to mask my true feelings.

Stripped of all identity, I am bare beneath the stares But you can't walk with your head on down For you just can't see Which way to go?
I feel like I have lost my sense of self and that people are watching and judging me, but I know I can't let it get me down or I won't be able to find my way forward.

Though transgression finds me, I'm confused by the (?) My captors mesmerize me all to, to bring me down Still we are the children of the father, and he expects I and I To push on through, to push on through Push on through So the real vanity I can find, so jah, jah I can be free
Even though I have made mistakes, I feel like I am being held captive by those who want to keep me down. However, I know my true identity as a child of God and that He wants me to keep pushing forward to find my true purpose and freedom.

And you got to face reality, the bottom will be dread, heavy like lead And the jester will run out of time Your back's against the wall, and they don't mind if you fall Look they'll use you, and abuse you, try their best to confuse you, so
You have to accept the difficulties that come with life and that they can be heavy and oppressive. People in power don't care if you suffer or struggle, and will do what they can to manipulate and control you for their own benefit.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brinsley Allan Forde

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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@gerardochavez5654

2y↑4

I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
Give me light to brighten up my day
Give me health and strength so I can make, my, my own, own way
As the darkness of the night
Fades away, yellow sun begins to shine
I see my freedom over yonder
But they steal it away
Yes, they steal it away
So I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
To save my face, shave of disgrace
I keep laughing like a clown
Stripped of all identity, I am bare beneath the stares
But you can't walk with your head on down
For you just can't see
Which way to go?
Which way to go?
So I a rebel soul
I a rebel, a rebel
I a born a rebel
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel soul
I a rebel, a rebel
I a born a rebel
Though transgression finds me, I'm confused by the (?)
My captors mesmerize me all to, to bring me down
Still we are the children of the father, and he expects I and I
To push on through, to push on through
Push on through
So the real vanity I can find, so jah, jah
I can be free
I can be free
I can be free
A rebel, a rebel (I a rebel soul) a rebel, I don't know, rebel (I a rebel soul)
I a rebel, I be a rebel (I a rebel soul)
I be a rebel (I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul)
And you got to face reality, the bottom will be dread, heavy like lead
And the jester will run out of time
Your back's against the wall, and they don't mind if you fall
Look they'll use you, and abuse you, try their best to confuse you, so
A rebel soul
(I a rebel soul) I a rebel
I'll be a rebel, if you no rebel, then I no know (I a rebel soul)
I I a rebel, if you no rebel, then I no know (I a rebel soul)
(I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul, I a rebel soul)