Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only … Read Full Bio ↴Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only really risen to become popular in the 'digital' age of Reggae, although his career stretches back to the 1970's. Considered by many to be one of Jamaica's finest contemporary vocalists, his best work has generally been captured on the 'Penthouse' and 'Xterminator' labels as well as his own 'Harmony House' imprint. The singer with his distictive 'Bourbon on the rocks' vocal style remains active today both recording and producing.

Freedom
Beres Hammond Lyrics

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Watch what you say
Where you push you nose
There's trouble waiting down the road
Watch you step
Where you push you toes
Cause trouble is a heavy load
Temptation wanna push you on the line
Never, never, never, never play blind

And if you brother mel you count to 49
His life might not even worth a dime

Freedom, freedom, freedom calling
Freedom, freedom
Only you can answer

Now you know what life is all about
Get serious, give yourself a chance
Everyone takes a different avenue
Hold your root(route) forget about the branch
You always wanna be the center of the crowd
Labba, labba, talking out aloud
The innocent becomes the victim of the fall
Suffering, doing time behind the wall

Freedom, freedom, freedom calling

Freedom, freedom
Only you can answer

Overall Meaning

Beres Hammond's "Freedom" is a song that encourages listeners to be mindful of their actions and words, as they can lead to trouble. The song discusses the importance of being aware of the consequences of one's actions, as well as the consequences of not taking responsibility for one's behavior. These consequences, the song suggests, can include imprisonment or even death.

The first two stanzas of the song emphasize that one should be careful about what they say and how they act, lest they create trouble for themselves. The song warns that temptation may push one to cross the line, and advises listeners to count to 49 before "melting" a brother, or taking someone's life. The chorus then beckons the listener to answer the call of freedom, suggesting that freedom is an important value that one needs to pursue.

The last two stanzas emphasize the importance of taking life seriously and giving oneself a chance. The song acknowledges that everyone has their own path in life and encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and their roots. The song suggests that talking too much can be dangerous, and warns that even the innocent can become victims if they are not careful. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the importance of embracing freedom and taking responsibility for one's life.

Overall, "Freedom" is a song that encourages listeners to be mindful of their words and actions, to take responsibility for themselves, and to pursue freedom as a core value in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Watch what you say
Be careful of your words and the impact they may have.

Where you push your nose
Be mindful of where you insert yourself and how you involve yourself in matters that are not your concern.

There's trouble waiting down the road
Be cautious of potential problems that may arise in the future if you pursue certain actions.

Watch you step
Be careful of the moves you make and the risks you take in life.

Where you push your toes
Be mindful of the paths you take and the journey that you embark on, as it may lead to trouble down the line.

Cause trouble is a heavy load
The consequences of wrongdoing can be severe and difficult to handle.

Temptation wanna push you on the line
The desire for instant gratification or pleasure can often steer you towards making poor choices.

Never, never, never, never play blind
It is important to always stay aware and alert, even in situations that seem innocent or harmless.

And if you brother melt you count to 49
Don't be swayed by someone else's wrongdoing or poor decisions, which may lead to negative consequences for you.

His life might not even worth a dime
The price of bad decisions or criminal activity can often lead to loss of life or freedom.

Freedom, freedom, freedom calling
The desire for liberation or independence is strong and can motivate one to pursue a better life.

Freedom, freedom
The idea of freedom is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible need that can have a real impact on one's life.

Only you can answer
The decision to seek freedom or liberation is a personal one, and only you can determine what it means to you.

Now you know what life is all about
Having lived and experienced life, you have a greater understanding of the world around you.

Get serious, give yourself a chance
Take life and your opportunities seriously, as it can have a positive impact on your future.

Everyone takes a different avenue
Different people choose different paths in life, and it's important to respect and acknowledge that fact.

Hold your root(route) forget about the branch
Stay true to your identity and values, and don't allow yourself to be swayed by others' opinions or beliefs.

You always wanna be the center of the crowd
It's natural to desire attention or recognition from others, but it's important to remember to stay true to yourself in the process.

Labba, labba, talking out aloud
It's easy to gossip or talk about others, but it's important to recognize how harmful that behavior can be, both to others and to yourself.

The innocent becomes the victim of the fall
Sometimes, those who are undeserving of blame or wrongdoing can still suffer the negative consequences of a situation.

Suffering, doing time behind the wall
The consequences of poor decisions or criminal activity can lead to serious repercussions, such as imprisonment or other forms of punishment.

Writer(s): Beres Hammond, Philip 'Fatis' Burrell

Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS