Informer
Ben Liebrand/Snow Lyrics
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Yeah what's going on here?
I'm sick and tired of 5-0 running up on the block
You know what I'm saying?
Yo, Snow they came around here looking for you the other day
(Word?) Word, bust it
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Police-a them-a they come and-a they blow down me door
One ee come crawl troo, troo my window
So dey put me in de back de car at de station
From that point on me reach my destination
Where the destination reachin' outta East Detention, where dey
Looked down me pants, look up me bottom, so
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
So, bigger dem are they think dem have more power
De pon di phone me say dat one hour
Me for want to use a once an' now me call me lover
Lover who me callin an' a one Tamei
An' mi love er' in my heart down to my belly-a
Yes say daddy me Snow me I feel cool an' deadly
Yes the one MC Shan an' the one Daddy Snow
Together we-a love'em is a tor-na-do
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
So, listen for me, you better listen for me now
Listen for me, you better listen for me now
When-a me rock-a the microphone, me rock on steady-a
Yes a daddy me Snow me are de article don
But the in an a-out a dance an they say where you come from-a?
People dem say ya come from Jamaica
But me born an' raised in the ghetto that I want ya to know-a
Pure black people man that's all I man know
Yeah me shoes are a-tear up an'a me toes just a show-a
Where me-a born in are de one Toronto, so
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Come with a nice young lady
Intelligent, yes she gentle and irie
Everywhere me go me never lef' her at all-ie
Yes-a Daddy Snow me are the roam dance man-a
Roam between-a dancin' in-a in-a nation-a
You never know say daddy me Snow me are the boom shakata
Me never lay-a down flat in-a one cardboard box-a
Yes-a daddy me Snow me-a go reachin' out da top, so
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Why wo ee, why wo ee, an' wo ee an' wo ee
Me sitting 'round cool with my dibbie-dibbie girl
Police knock my door, lick up my pal
Rough me up and I can't do a thing
Pick up my line when my telephone ring
Take me to the station black up my hands
Trail me down 'cause I'm hanging with the Snowman
What I'm gonna do? I'm backed and I'm trapped
Slap me in the face and took all of my gap
They have no clues and they wanna get warmer
But Shan won't turn informer
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
A licky boom boom down
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
A licky boom boom down
Diggity dum, diggity diggity dum, an' wo ee, an wo, an wo ee
The verses of the song "Informer" by Snow are told from the perspective of a young Jamaican man who has fallen afoul of the law enforcement authorities in Canada, where he lives. He accuses the police of harassing his community and targeting him for no reason. The song names him as "Snow" and states that the police are now looking for him. It goes on to describe Snow's arrest, implied to be on false charges, and his subsequent interrogation and isolation in prison. In the chorus, Snow asserts his innocence and his willingness to take the blame for a crime he did not commit, but he pleads with the police to leave him alone.
The lyrics of "Informer" are sometimes difficult to understand because the singer, Snow, makes frequent use of Jamaican Patois or Creole. The use of this dialect of English reflects the singer's cultural heritage and the perspectives of the community in which he has grown up. The language provides an authentic voice for the song's narrator and helps to convey his frustration and anger at being subject to what he sees as unjust treatment.
Line by Line Meaning
What's up man, hey yo what's up
Informal greeting and asking how things are going.
Yeah what's going on here?
Asking about the current situation or events happening.
I'm sick and tired of 5-0 running up on the block
Feeling frustrated with the police constantly coming around the neighborhood or block.
You know what I'm saying?
Asking if the listener understands or relates to the frustration being expressed.
Yo, Snow they came around here looking for you the other day
Informing Snow that the police came looking for them recently.
(Word?) Word, bust it
Confirming that the previous statement is true and asking for more details.
Informer, ya' no say daddy me Snow me I go blame
Introducing himself as Snow and blaming the informer who led the police to him.
A licky boom boom down
Onomatopoeic phrase meaning a loud sound, possibly indicating a gunshot or explosion.
'Tective man a say, say daddy me Snow me stab someone down the lane
Police accusing Snow of stabbing someone on the street.
Police-a them-a they come and-a they blow down me door
The police coming and breaking down Snow's door to apprehend him.
One ee come crawl troo, troo my window
One of them sneaks in through his window.
So dey put me in de back de car at de station
Police taking Snow to the station in the back of the car.
From that point on me reach my destination
From that moment on, Snow is under arrest and on his way to the station.
Where the destination reachin' outta East Detention, where dey
Arriving at the station, presumably in East Detention.
Looked down me pants, look up me bottom, so
Police performing a search, looking at Snow's private parts and inside his clothing.
So, bigger dem are they think dem have more power
Observing that people with more authority or power are often more arrogant or oppressive.
De pon di phone me say dat one hour
Making a phone call to a loved one, informing them of his detention and asking to speak for one hour.
Me for want to use a once an' now me call me lover
Wishing he could make one call and choosing to call his lover.
Lover who me callin an' a one Tamei
The person he's calling is named Tamei.
An' mi love er' in my heart down to my belly-a
Feeling deep love for Tamei and expressing it passionately.
Yes say daddy me Snow me I feel cool an' deadly
Feeling calm and confident even in a difficult situation.
Yes the one MC Shan an' the one Daddy Snow
Referring to himself (Daddy Snow) and another rapper named MC Shan.
Together we-a love'em is a tor-na-do
Referring to the success of their music together as a powerful force.
So, listen for me, you better listen for me now
Urging the listener to pay attention and listen carefully.
Listen for me, you better listen for me now
Reiterating the importance of listening to what is being said.
When-a me rock-a the microphone, me rock on steady-a
Describing his smooth, steady skills as a performer when he's on the microphone (rapping).
Yes a daddy me Snow me are de article don
Referring to himself as the king or top dog in the music industry.
But the in an a-out a dance an they say where you come from-a?
People in the dancing scene may wonder where he comes from, as a black man from Toronto in a predominantly Jamaican music scene.
People dem say ya come from Jamaica
People may assume he comes from Jamaica because of the music he is known for.
But me born an' raised in the ghetto that I want ya to know-a
Clarifying that he is from a poor neighborhood in Toronto, not Jamaica.
Pure black people man that's all I man know
Emphasizing that he comes from a community of exclusively black people and that's who he identifies with.
Yeah me shoes are a-tear up an'a me toes just a show-a
Pointing out that his shoes and toes are worn out, indicating that he comes from humble beginnings.
Where me-a born in are de one Toronto, so
Reaffirming that he comes from Toronto, Canada.
Come with a nice young lady
Moving on to a new topic, inviting others to dance and have fun with him and a lady.
Intelligent, yes she gentle and irie
Describing his dance partner as intelligent, gentle, and easy-going.
Everywhere me go me never lef' her at all-ie
Stating that he always stays close to his dance partner.
Yes-a Daddy Snow me are the roam dance man-a
Referring to himself as a dance man who likes to move around and have fun in different places.
Roam between-a dancin' in-a in-a nation-a
Traveling and dancing in different parts of the world.
You never know say daddy me Snow me are the boom shakata
Stating that he is a talented dancer and performer, known for his signature moves.
Me never lay-a down flat in-a one cardboard box-a
Asserting that he will never give up or succumb to a life of poverty or homelessness.
Yes-a daddy me Snow me-a go reachin' out da top, so
Expressing his ambition to succeed and achieve greatness.
Why wo ee, why wo ee, an' wo ee an' wo ee
Nonsensical phrases, possibly a way to break up the song or add rhythm.
Me sitting 'round cool with my dibbie-dibbie girl
Relaxing with a girlfriend or female companion.
Police knock my door, lick up my pal
Police come and apprehend Snow and his friend or associate.
Rough me up and I can't do a thing
Being physically mistreated by the police and feeling helpless.
Pick up my line when my telephone ring
Answering a phone call when it rings, possibly from his girlfriend or family.
Take me to the station black up my hands
Being taken to the police station and having black marks put on his hands for identification purposes.
Trail me down 'cause I'm hanging with the Snowman
Being pursued and arrested by the police because of his connection to Snow or his persona as the Snowman.
What I'm gonna do? I'm backed and I'm trapped
Feeling helpless and unable to escape the situation he's in.
Slap me in the face and took all of my gap
Being beaten and robbed of all his money or valuables.
They have no clues and they wanna get warmer
The police having no solid evidence and trying to gather more information for their investigation.
But Shan won't turn informer
One of his associates, named Shan, refusing to provide information to the police about Snow's activities or whereabouts.
Diggity dum, diggity diggity dum, an' wo ee, an wo, an wo ee
Repeating the same nonsensical phrases as before, possibly to extend the song or add rhythm.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Darrin O'Brien, Shawn L. Moltke, Terri Moltke, Edmund Leary, Michael Greer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind