Barry Brown was one of a number of singers to find success in the 1970's under producer Bunny Lee. Although his first release, 'Girl You're Always On My Mind', had little impact, his vocal style soon found popularity, with his first hit coming with 1979's 'Step It Up Youthman', which led to an album of the same name on Third World records. One of the most successful artists of the early dancehall era, Brown worked with some of Jamaica's top producers of the time, including Linval Thompson, Winston "Niney The Observer" Holness, Sugar Minott and Coxsone Dodd, as well as releasing self-produced material. After releasing eleven albums between 1979 and 1984, Brown's releases became more sporadic, although his work continued to feature prominently on sound systems such as those of Jah Shaka.
In the 1990's, Brown's health deteriorated, suffering with asthma and substance abuse problems, and he died in May 2004 in Sone Waves Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, after falling and hitting his head.
Far East
Barry Brown Lyrics
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(Oh yeah) (mmm)
Look my brother, look what you see is going on
How many youths have been killed, in tribal war
Killed by babylon, ignorant, in a selfish war
Some youths is going to the west, oh yeah
Some youths is going to the north
Some youths is going to the south (oh jah)
Now my brothers and sisters, you better listen to me
Stop the world foolish fighting, its much more that we are lasting
We've gotta fight for our rights
We've gotta see the light
Oh yes
Some youth is going to the west land
Some youth is going to the north
Some youth is going to the south
Some youth is going to the far east
Far east (mmm) (ooohh)
Look my brother, look what you see is going on
How many youths have been killed in tribal war
Killed by babylon, ignorant, in a selfish war
Some youth is going to the west
Some youth is going to the north
Some youth is going to the south
Some youth is going to the the far east
Yeah yes
Now my brothers and sisters
You better listen to me
Stop the world's foolish fighting
Oh yeah
Its much more that we are lasting
We've gotta fight for our rights
We've gotta see the light
(mm)
Some youth is going to the west
Some youth is going to the north
Some youth is going to the south
Some youth is going to the far east
The song βFar Eastβ by Barry Brown is a call for unity and an end to tribal wars that resulted in the unnecessary killing of youths. The lyrics highlight the singerβs concern about the loss of young lives attributed to these wars and the role played by Babylon. The track makes an appeal to youths to seek alternative paths of migration that lead them to the Western, Northern, Southern, or Far Eastern regions as a means of escaping the prevalence of war. The singer seeks to unite people and to discourage them from engaging in foolish wars that result in unnecessary loss of lives.
The Far East referred to in the lyrics is a metaphor for a place of safety and refuge that offers respite from the challenges faced in the singer's current location. The use of the phrase βgoing to the Far Eastβ reflects a sense of optimism that the new location will be free of war and offer better opportunities. Overall, the song is a poignant call for peace and unity that invites the audience to reflect on the importance of peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Now my brother, he said to me
The singer's brother directed his attention towards something significant that he wanted to share with his sibling.
Look my brother, look what you see is going on
The singer's brother asked him to observe the situation and take note of what is happening in their surroundings.
How many youths have been killed, in tribal war
The singer's brother made him aware of the number of young people who lost their lives in a tribal conflict.
Killed by babylon, ignorant, in a selfish war
The young people were killed by the selfish and uninformed actions of the oppressors, which is represented as Babylon in this context.
Some youths is going to the west, oh yeah
Some young people are migrating to the western region for better prospects.
Some youths is going to the north
Some young people are migrating to the northern region for better opportunities.
Some youths is going to the south (oh jah)
Some young people are migrating to the southern region for better chances in life.
Some youths is going to the far east (mm)
Some young people are migrating to the far eastern region for better standards of living.
Now my brothers and sisters, you better listen to me
The artist directs his message to his listeners, calling them his siblings and emphasizing the importance of his message.
Stop the world foolish fighting, its much more that we are lasting
The artist urges his listeners to end the senseless violence in the world as there is more to be gained from living together in peace.
We've gotta fight for our rights
The singer encourages his listeners to stand up and fight for their rights as individuals, and as a collective.
We've gotta see the light
The artist encourages his listeners to gain a better awareness of their situations and circumstances so they can make better decisions in the future.
Some youth is going to the west land
Again, the singer references the migration of young people moving westward for better prospects.
Far east (mmm) (ooohh)
The singer repeats the refrain, emphasizing the significance of the migration of young people to the far east.
Look my brother, look what you see is going on
The singer reiterates the importance of paying attention to what is going on and acknowledging the situation for what it is.
How many youths have been killed in tribal war
The artist repeats the line about the number of young people dead due to tribal conflicts, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Some youth is going to the west
Again, the artist reiterates the message of young people looking to migrate westward in search of better opportunities.
Some youth is going to the north
The singer repeats the message of young people looking to migrate northward in search of better chances in life.
Some youth is going to the south
Once again, the singer reiterates the message of young people looking to migrate southward in search of better prospects.
Some youth is going to the far east
Again, the artist emphasizes the importance of young people migrating to the far east for better standards of living.
Yeah yes
The artist ends the song by repeating the same message from earlier- young people are moving to different parts of the world for better chances in life.
Contributed by Alexandra T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@katunghill8448
This song reminds me of when Jamaica was truly,, beautiful back in the seventies !.
@marcogarcia7160
Alguien la escucha aun en el 2023 como yo desde los 60s?
@derricktaylor3971
When Barry brown sings I feel like am in holy mt zion
@davidhenry8056
Any time this tune in a dancehall a different vibration especially kilimanjaro sound system big tune for years without fears
@jahrro
To be in a Jah Love session when this tune plays and then Briggi step on the version is mesmerizing
@jacquidowarris7012
Big Tune..RIEP LEGEND ππΎππΎβ€οΈβ€οΈπ€π΅π
@finchjohn1
sly & robbie one of the greatest roots reggae ever..
@mrwahh44
Give thanks for this. Yes I π₯
@56postoffice
This riddim is actually a version to the classic "Jah Shakey" by Roland Alphonso, which was recorded at Studio One in 1967 and it is one of the baddest instrumentals ever made. Barry Brown's cut became a huge hit for him, so that's why the riddim took on another name: "Far East." But the original's from Studio One. This riddim also goes by the name "Rockers Hop" and "Jack Steady."
@lawrencenjawe1935
@Dr Donald Blake Thanks for the clarification. I'll check on that......