He was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and learned to play the organ in Kingston College School. It was at that point an unnamed girl lent him the melodica. Fascinated by the instrument, Pablo rarely put it down. He also met Herman Chin Loy; the Chin family owned an influential record store in Kingston. Swaby recorded “Iggy Iggy” in Clive’s father’s studio, Aquarius Records. He took the name Augustus Pablo for this recording.
After releasing a few more singles, Pablo came out with “East of the River Nile”, a unique blend of East Asian and Jamaican sounds, and the song became a moderate hit. Augustus Pablo popularized the use of the melodica (an instrument used primarily to teach children music in the Jamaican public schools) in reggae music. He soon joined Now Generation (Mikey Chung’s band) and played the keyboard with them while his friend, Clive, began his own career as a record producer. Pablo and Chin recorded “Java” (1972) together, as soon as Pablo quit Now Generation and Clive was able to get the studio time, the instrumental was a massive hit, and launched Pablo’s solo career. He recorded with Chin and various others, including Leonard Chin, his uncle, and Lee Perry. He scored another smash hit with “My Desire” (John Holt).
Pablo formed labels Hot Stuff, Message and Rockers (named after his brother’s soundsystem, Rockers), and released a steady stream of well-received instrumentals, mostly versions of older hits from Studio One. In spite of his success with Rockers, Pablo’s seminal 1974 album, This Is Augustus Pablo was recorded with Clive and Pat Chin. This was followed by a collaboration with the legendary reggae engineer King Tubby to great acclaim, releasing 1975’s Ital Dub.
In the later 1970s, Pablo produced a steady stream of hits, including the hit “Black Star Liner” (Fred Locks). He also worked with Dillinger, Norris Reid, I-Roy, Jacob Miller, Te -Track, The Immortals, Paul Blackman, Earl Sixteen, Roman Stewart, Lacksley Castell, The Heptones, Ricky Grant, Delroy Williams,Junior Delgado, Horace Andy and Freddy McKay. This period was eventually commemorated with critically acclaimed LP’s including King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (1976) and Hugh Mundell’s classic Africa Must be Free by 1983. This was followed by East of the River Nile (1978, Original Rockers 1979 and Rockers Meets King Tubbys In A Firehouse, another acclaimed hit album.
In the 1980s, Pablo’s career slowed significantly. He had begun to establish an American audience, and released Rising Sun in 1986 to good reviews and sales. Pablo also produced memorable hits, including “Ragamuffin Year” (Junior Delgado), “Humble Yourself” (Asher & Tremble) and “Far Far Away” (Ricky Grant). In addition, Pablo toured extensively throughout the world, making a memorable live album in Tokyo in 1987. That same year, Rockers Come East re-established his career, and he began to release a series of critically acclaimed though somewhat inaccessible albums in the 1990s, including Blowing With the Wind and also producing several, such as Night & Day (Dawn Penn) and Jah Made Them All (Yami Bolo).
Pablo died as a result of a collapsed lung on May 18, 1999. He had been suffering for some time from the nerve disorder Myasthenia gravis.
He was known for his spiritual Rastafarian beliefs.
Java
Augustus Pablo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seek Jah, Rastafari, righteousness
For Jah is liberty, Selah
Java
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
Long time, I and I
Suffer in the worst, you know
A no need is, Babylonians to sustain
But I and I have no fear
For Jah, Rastafari, is always near, Selah
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
Seek Jah first, and all things
Shall be added unto the I, you know
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
(Java)
The lyrics to Augustus Pablo's song Java is a call to seek righteousness and the presence of Jah or Rastafari from the east to the west. Java is used as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and satisfaction that can be achieved when one seeks and finds Jah. The song acknowledges the sufferings of the people, but encourages them to have faith in Jah and not fear the Babylonians who have caused their sufferings.
The repetition of the word "Java" throughout the song serves as a chant or mantra that reinforces the message of seeking Jah and finding true freedom. The use of the word "Selah" at the end of each verse indicates a pause or reflection on the meaning of the lyrics. The last verse, "Seek Jah first, and all things shall be added unto the I, you know," is a reference to the biblical teaching about seeking first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be given.
Line by Line Meaning
From the east to west
Jah's influence and presence can be felt all over the world.
Seek Jah, Rastafari, righteousness
One should look for and strive towards Jah, Rastafari, and living a righteous life.
For Jah is liberty, Selah
Jah represents freedom and liberation.
Java
A word of affirmation and reverence for Jah.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
Long time, I and I
For a long time, the singer and his community have been facing difficulties.
Suffer in the worst, you know
They have been enduring the most extreme forms of suffering.
A no need is, Babylonians to sustain
They do not need support or validation from Babylonians or oppressive forces.
But I and I have no fear
Despite the hardships, they do not live in fear because of their faith in Jah.
For Jah, Rastafari, is always near, Selah
Jah, Rastafari, is always present and provides comfort and guidance.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
Seek Jah first, and all things
Putting Jah first will lead to having all things needed in life.
Shall be added unto the I, you know
Following Jah will lead to blessings and abundance.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
(Java)
Repeating the word Java for emphasis and as a form of musical expression.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CLIVE CHIN, HORACE SWABY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Forde
It sad that this man is no longer with us but his spirit lives on in his music. Master of the melodica in reggae music and also an ace producer. Thanks for posting
soundfluid
oh my god this is incredible....footage of pablo playing live like this is SO rare! a real treasure thanks!
6t4eldo
While rocking to this magnificent tune i could'nt help being sad that Augustus/Horace is no longer here along with: Bob,Gregory,Peter,Dennis,Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell,Tenor Saw, Garnett Silk, Nitty Gritty & others not mentioned. : (
Nicolas AUBERT
Parti en nous laissant de beaux cadeaux
Weliton Hill
Os hits desse cara ja foi e ainda é a abertura de shows de mtas bandas de reggae mundo a fora. RESISTÊNCIA SEMPRE✊
DMINDTHELOWRIDER
Recorded 1986, and still sounding better than most A-grade artists today.
Qirex
DMINDTHELOWRIDER 86 wasn't that long ago ffs ahahaha
Xtr
Protoje is a great singer but no way he is on the same level as Augustus Pablo was.
Samsung Galaxy S7
August Pablo pioneer ..
Coleman H
Augustus Pablo was a legend