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
ZION
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Jesus Christ, the faithful witness
The firstborn from the dead
and the ruler of the kings of the earth
To him who loved us and released
Us from our sins by His blood
And He has made us to be a kingdom
And priests to His God and Father
Forever and ever!
Behold, He is coming with the clouds
And ever eye shall see Him."
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
And we have to sing His praise
Come let’s glorify His name
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
And we have to sing His praise
Come let’s glorify His name
Your name is Yahweh Jehovah!
God of mercy fill my cup over
Wind beneath our wings you make us soar
You are the God before and forever more
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(All hail King Jesus!)
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(All hail King Jesus!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(He's the Con-que-ring Lion!)
Yes we have to sing His praise
(We have to sing His praise!)
Come let’s glorify His name
(Glorify His name!)
Your name is Yahweh Je-ho-vah
God of mercy fill my cup ova
Wind beneath our wings you make us soar
You are the God before and forevermore
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(The King of Zion!)
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(He's the King of Zion!)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(Lamb and Lion, Lamb and Lion!)
And we have to praise His name
(We've got to praise His name!)
For the sacrifice He made
Isaiah 9
"And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace
There will be no end to the increase
Of His Government or of peace
He will reign forever!"
You are the mighty Prince of Peace
And we lift our hands cause we believe
Only you can still our storms
And bring us through the trial
Making all things new
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(He's the King of Zion!)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(He's the Lamb and Lion!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(Never lost His power, never lost a war!)
And we have to sing His praise
Come and glorify His name
(Victorious!)
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(Who is this King of Glory?)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(Strong and Mighty, Strong and Mighty!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(He's the Lord of Hosts!)
And we have to sing His praise
(We got to bless Him!)
Come and glorify His name
(We got to praise, we got to praise!)
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(Glorify Him, magnify Him!)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(We lift you, higher!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(Gotta sing your praise!)
And we have to sing His praise
Come and glorify His name
The song "Zion" by Aswad is a celebration of Jesus Christ as the King of Zion. The lyrics begin with a reference to Revelation 1, which praises Jesus Christ as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, who has released us from our sins by his blood. The song then proclaims Jesus Christ as the King of Zion, the Conquering Lion from the Tribe of Judah, and encourages listeners to sing his praise and glorify his name.
The second half of the song turns to Isaiah 9, which prophesies that Jesus Christ's name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, and that he will reign forever with an increasing government of peace. The lyrics continue to celebrate Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace who can still storms and bring us through trials, making all things new. The song ends with a refrain of Jesus Christ being the King of Zion, the Lamb and Lion from the Tribe of Judah, and the Lord of Hosts, and encourages listeners to continue to sing his praise and glorify his name.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus Christ, the faithful witness
The firstborn from the dead
and the ruler of the kings of the earth
To him who loved us and released
Us from our sins by His blood
And He has made us to be a kingdom
And priests to His God and Father
To Him be the glory and the dominion
Forever and ever!
Behold, He is coming with the clouds
And ever eye shall see Him.
Jesus Christ is the faithful and true witness who died and rose again. He is the ruler over all leaders of the earth. Through His sacrifice, we have been saved from our sins and made into a kingdom of priests who serve God. He deserves all the glory and power. He will come back again in the clouds for everyone to see.
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
And we have to sing His praise
Come let’s glorify His name
Jesus is the King of Zion and the Conquering Lion from the Tribe of Judah. We need to sing His praises and glorify His name.
Your name is Yahweh Jehovah!
God of mercy fill my cup over
Wind beneath our wings you make us soar
You are the God before and forever more
God's name is Yahweh Jehovah. He is a merciful God who fills us with abundance and gives us strength to soar. He was there before the beginning and will be there forevermore.
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(Lamb and Lion, Lamb and Lion!)
And we have to praise His name
(We've got to praise His name!)
For the sacrifice He made
Jesus is the Lamb and the Lion, we have to praise His name for the sacrifice He made for our sins.
You are the mighty Prince of Peace
And we lift our hands cause we believe
Only you can still our storms
And bring us through the trial
Making all things new
Jesus is the mighty Prince of Peace who can calm our storms and lead us through trials, making all things new. We lift our hands and believe in Him.
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(He's the King of Zion!)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(He's the Lamb and Lion!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(Never lost His power, never lost a war!)
And we have to sing His praise
Come and glorify His name
(Victorious!)
Jesus is the King of Zion and the Lamb and Lion from the Tribe of Judah who has never lost a battle. We must sing His praises and glorify His victorious name.
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(Who is this King of Glory?)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(Strong and Mighty, Strong and Mighty!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(He's the Lord of Hosts!)
And we have to sing His praise
(We got to bless Him!)
Come and glorify His name
(We got to praise, we got to praise!)
He’s the King the King the King of Zion
(Glorify Him, magnify Him!)
Oh the Lamb and Lion Lamb and Lion
(We lift you, higher!)
From the Tribe of Judah Conquering Lion
(Gotta sing your praise!)
And we have to sing His praise
Come and glorify His name
Jesus is the King of Zion and the Lamb and Lion from the Tribe of Judah who is strong, mighty, and the Lord of Hosts. We need to sing His praises and glorify His name by blessing, praising, magnifying Him, and lifting Him higher. We must keep singing His praises because He is worthy.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jelani Pinnock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mohamed A. Turay
on Old Fire Stick
WICKED TRUTH! JUST FOR YOU!