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
@jovemdallas1972
Vida fantasia como canto de sereia
Orlas de praia, praças, bares, bregadeiras
Sou criança, lanço passos, modas e alegrias
Transitando entre o cyberespaço e a periferia
Bela melodia, xtrallah na batida
Essa é a cura pros meus mares e feridas
Ligeira menina, bruxa cientista,
Transmuta amor pela kaballah do alquimista
Olhe só man, o mundo ao redor
É tão belo, não estamos sós
Se é inverno, há de vir calor
Eu tenho fé que ainda encontro o meu amor por aqui
Apareço, compareço no meu prana matinal
Sol que alimenta o espírito animal
Onda vai, vem, vou velejando a vida
Vi o vento voar, vou lembrar da vista
Orei no silêncio, agradeço a sina
É veraneio, às 4 horas minha vila é linda
Coração local, passou de turista
Bon voyage
good bye
Baby,
Hasta
La vista
- @jaojuanito aka DaLama
@marcosjunior7346
O SOM QUE DEU ORIGEM AO DUB !!!
OBRIGADO AUGUSTUS, OBRIGADO VICENT CHIN E PATI CHIN !!!
@jovemdallas1972
Vida fantasia como canto de sereia
Orlas de praia, praças, bares, bregadeiras
Sou criança, lanço passos, modas e alegrias
Transitando entre o cyberespaço e a periferia
Bela melodia, xtrallah na batida
Essa é a cura pros meus mares e feridas
Ligeira menina, bruxa cientista,
Transmuta amor pela kaballah do alquimista
Olhe só man, o mundo ao redor
É tão belo, não estamos sós
Se é inverno, há de vir calor
Eu tenho fé que ainda encontro o meu amor por aqui
Apareço, compareço no meu prana matinal
Sol que alimenta o espírito animal
Onda vai, vem, vou velejando a vida
Vi o vento voar, vou lembrar da vista
Orei no silêncio, agradeço a sina
É veraneio, às 4 horas minha vila é linda
Coração local, passou de turista
Bon voyage
good bye
Baby,
Hasta
La vista
- @jaojuanito aka DaLama
@KyleWallacekev
"Pablos desire " and " Marabi " is up there in my opinion with the best ; this was when he just started out and lovers rock/ rocksteady was in full force. Melanchony in mood and exquisetly delivered to make you hope,smile and cry.
@jeffreychaves2070
solo gente con buen gusto musical puede disfrutar estas melodias como nosotros * LA BUENA MUSICA SIEMPRE NOS HARA FELIZ
@fabiestudando5838
Que som incrível!
@fidelvassell6772
This man just make the wind instrument sing...Big Raspect to man Brother Augustus Pablo..S.I.E.P.!!
@wehsmusic
2018 and the legend still live on thru his music....🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 J A V A
@0gulherminho
Jamais será esquecido, Lendaaa!!!!
@rubensconceicao2005
Essa música me dá arrepios !!
@DANIEL7EUSOU
essa musica é maravilhosa!
amo!!!