Anthony Moses Davis (born August 22, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica), better kno… Read Full Bio ↴Anthony Moses Davis (born August 22, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica), better known by the stage name Beenie Man, is a well established reggae artist and DJ. He was involved in the music industry from a young age when he won the Tastee Talent contest in 1981. Only one year later, when he was eight years old, he recorded a single, "Too Fancy", with record producer "Junjo" Lawes. By 1983, Beenie Man was recording with heavyweight DJs, such as Dillinger and Fathead and released his debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder and the single "Over the Sea".

He was booed off stage at a show celebrating the visit of Nelson Mandela. In 1993 at the very popular show Sting he accused fellow deejay Bounty Killer that the elder artist had stolen his catchphrase, "people dead". This triggered a lyrical battle which continued on the air with each artist counteracting the other's songs. Finally, in 1995, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer settled their differences on the air by actually signing a peace treaty and the two recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", a rehash of the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry", speaking out against violence and inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular Deejay.

Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to the Rastafari movement.

In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed.

In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi" in the United Kingdom, and collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late '90s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of "Dancehall King", a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s.

In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees) to release The Art & Life. During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, "Romie", "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar", which featured American R&B singer, Mya.

In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing, as well as rhymes by Shawnna.

Ganja Farm
Beenie Man Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bowy mi nuh know what a gwan
Tru me is a legal voter inna di country
Mi can talk
Mr. prime minister, what is happening in the country is not right
People a suffer, man a dead fi hungry
Yuh wan go a westmorland

[Chorus]

People a suffer 'cause nuttin' naw gwan
Down inna Jamaica nuff pickney a bawn
Tell di government dem fi cool an keep calm
Unnuh louw di ganja farm, unnuh louw fi ganja farm
Shotta deh a street a run di place warm
Don't want di youth dem fi bus nuh more corn
But how we a surive inna di drought an storm
Unnuh louw di ganja farm, unnuh louw di ganja farm

Come mek wi share up all a di land dem down a country
Mek wi tell all di youth dem fi go farm it
Come mek wi work it to the best of wi ability
Because mi tired an mi fed up wid poverty

So mi begging de police an di authority
Try nuh badda stop wi 'cause wi livity
Louw wi mek wi work an help wi self
And build up wi country 'cause devastation
And di riot naw go help wi

Ganja fi, ganja fi, ganja fi bun
And money fi, money fi, money fi run
And poverty, poverty haffi dun
Tell di soldier man dem, do nuh cut it down

'cause 10,000 pound every load a Kingston
And mi ship it, mi ship it to belgium
Weh money, wey money, weh money come
So mi know di shotta ago put down dem gun.

If wi nuh try wi ago die unda di system
Only di poora class a people a victim
That's why wi mek up all wi mind fi gwan go try a ting
'cause wi nuh like what a gwan an what is happening

So when mi farm up all mi garden and mi hustling
Yuh no bada try fi stop a youth, nuh try pressure him

Louw him mek him guan go nyam a food inna di juggling
Because nobody nuh know di struggle dat yuh facing

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Ganja Farm by Beenie Man express a sense of confusion about what is happening in the country. The singer acknowledges that he is a legal voter, and therefore has the right to speak up. He addresses the Prime Minister, criticizing what is happening in the country and highlighting the suffering and hunger of the people. He calls for the government to let the ganja farm thrive, as it could help alleviate people's struggle.

The chorus echoes this sentiment, emphasizing people's suffering because of a lack of opportunities and jobs, giving rise to poverty and causing children to be born into hardship. It is a call for the government to let the people farm and work the land. The verses also highlight how the police and authorities should allow the people to work and help themselves, rather than hinder them from doing so. The narration ends with a plea for people to be allowed to work and hustle, as nobody knows the struggles that they may be facing.

The song is a social commentary on the current situation in Jamaica, with a powerful message regarding the legalization of ganja farming. The chorus captures the frustration of a people who cannot make ends meet and highlights the need for people to be allowed to work to escape poverty. The lyrics poignantly express a desire for peace and stability for the country's people. The emotive and vivid language allows the message to resonate deeply.

Line by Line Meaning

Bowy mi nuh know what a gwan
I do not understand what is happening

Tru me is a legal voter inna di country
Since I am a legal voter, I have the right to speak out about the problems in the country

Mi can talk
I am able to express my opinion

Mr. prime minister, what is happening in the country is not right
I am addressing the prime minister and stating that the current situation in the country is unacceptable

People a suffer, man a dead fi hungry
The citizens of the country are struggling and suffering from poverty and hunger

Yuh wan go a westmorland
Are you suggesting that I should move to Westmorland to escape the issues in the country?

Chorus: People a suffer 'cause nuttin' naw gwan / Down inna Jamaica nuff pickney a bawn / Tell di government dem fi cool an keep calm / Unnuh louw di ganja farm, unnuh louw fi ganja farm / Shotta deh a street a run di place warm / Don't want di youth dem fi bus nuh more corn / But how we a surive inna di drought an storm / Unnuh louw di ganja farm, unnuh louw di ganja farm
The people are experiencing hardship because of the lack of opportunities and resources available. The government needs to relax and accept the importance of the ganja farm, as it provides work and income for many citizens. Gang violence is also prevalent and eliminating the demand for their drug trade would prevent future violence outbreaks. The population needs resources and support in times of scarcity such as the current drought.

Come mek wi share up all a di land dem down a country
Let us divide the land equally among the citizens living in the countryside

Mek wi tell all di youth dem fi go farm it
We will encourage the youth to take up farming to help lessen poverty in the country

Come mek wi work it to the best of wi ability / Because mi tired an mi fed up wid poverty
Let us do our best and work hard to escape poverty, as it has been affecting us for too long

So mi begging de police an di authority / Try nuh badda stop wi 'cause wi livity
I am requesting that the police and government officials do not prevent us from earning a living through the ganja farm

Louw wi mek wi work an help wi self / And build up wi country 'cause devastation / And di riot naw go help wi
Allow us to work towards helping ourselves and the country, as riots and devastation will not assist in our progress

Ganja fi, ganja fi, ganja fi bun / And money fi, money fi, money fi run / And poverty, poverty haffi dun /Tell di soldier man dem, do nuh cut it down
We will cultivate and sell the ganja, as it is an important source of income. Poverty must be eradicated and the military should not destroy the ganja harvest.

'cause 10,000 pound every load a Kingston / And mi ship it, mi ship it to belgium / Weh money, wey money, weh money come / So mi know di shotta ago put down dem gun.
I earn a lot of money through exporting the ganja from Kingston to Belgium, which is why I know the drug dealers will stop their violent ways.

If wi nuh try wi ago die unda di system / Only di poora class a people a victim / That's why wi mek up all wi mind fi gwan go try a ting / 'cause wi nuh like what a gwan an what is happening
If we do not make an effort to change the system, we will continue to suffer. The poor are always the ones who face the worst consequences. That is why we have decided to try something different and make a change for the better.

So when mi farm up all mi garden and mi hustling / Yuh no bada try fi stop a youth, nuh try pressure him / Louw him mek him guan go nyam a food inna di juggling / Because nobody nuh know di struggle dat yuh facing
When I have finished farming and working hard, do not try to stop me or hinder my progress. Allow me to enjoy the fruits of my labor and feed myself. No one truly understands the challenges that each individual faces.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MOSES DAVIS, RICHARD STEPHENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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