The first line-up of the group was Garth Dennis, Don Carlos, and Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. The group has undergone several lineup changes: Carlos left, replaced by Michael Rose; then Dennis left to play with The Wailing Souls, and was replaced by Errol Nelson. During this early period, the band's most famous recording is the album entitled Love Crisis, later rereleased as Black Sounds Of Freedom. In 1979 the group was joined by Sandra "Puma" Jones, a social worker from North Carolina, USA. Under this lineup, (Rose, Simpson and Jones), with Sly & Robbie as producers (and also permanently employed on drum and bass), they released the band's most popular albums: Sinsemilla, Red, Chill Out, and the Grammy-winning Anthem¹, as well as others. During this period, Black Uhuru became one of the most popular reggae groups in the world, regularly touring with the likes of The Police and The Rolling Stones. Live 1984 (a concert at the Rockpalast in Germany, but was actually recorded on October 18, 1981) captures the band at the height of its powers.
After Rose went solo in 1985, Junior Reid joined for a few records and also left; Puma Jones left in 1987 (and died of cancer three years later, in 1990). In 1990, Simpson reunited with Dennis and Carlos in the original line-up of the group. They recorded several albums and toured extensively. By the end of the 90's, Dennis and Carlos left the band and fought a legal battle against Simpson over the name Black Uhuru. Simpson won the lawsuit and formed yet another incarnation of Black Uhuru with Andrew Bees as lead singer. Only one album, Dynasty, was released before Bees left the group.
In February 2004, it was announced in the Jamaican press that Simpson and Michael Rose had re-united under the name "Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose". Together with a female backing singer named Kay Starr, they released a single, "Dollars" and performed at several concerts including "Western Consciousness 2004" on April 28 in Jamaica, of which a live video was released shortly thereafter. A new album has been reported to be in progress.
== Discography ==
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Errol "Tarzan" Nelson'
*1977 - 'Love Crisis'
*1981 - 'Black Sounds of Freedom' ("Love Crisis" reedition)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Michael Rose, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1979 - 'Showcase'
*1980 - 'Black Uhuru'
*1980 - 'Sinsemilia'
*1981 - 'Red'
*1982 - 'Chill Out'
*1983 - 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' ("Black Uhuru" reedition)
*1983 - 'Anthem'
'Group: Derrick Simpson, Delroy "Junior" Reid, Sandra "Puma" Jones'
*1986 - 'Brutal'
*1987 - 'Positive' (Puma Jones replaced Olafunke)
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Garth Dennis, Don Carlos'
*1990 - 'Now'
*1991 - 'Iron Storm'
*1993 - 'Mystical truth'
*1994 - 'Strongg'
'Group: Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, Jenifah Nyah, Andrew Bees'
*1998 - 'Unification'
*2001 - 'Dynasty'
'Live / Dub albums:'
*1982 - 'Uhuru in Dub'
*1982 - 'Tear It Up - Live' (album and video)
*1983 - 'The Dub Factor'
*1986 - 'Brutal Dub'
*1987 - 'The Positive Dub'
*1988 - 'Live'
*1988 - 'Live In New York City'
*1990 - 'Now Dub'
*1990 - 'Love Dub' ("Uhuru In Dub" reedition)
*1992 - 'Iron Storm Dub'
*1993 - 'Mystical Truth Dub'
*1994 - 'Strongg Dubb'
*2000 - 'Live 1984'
*2001 - 'In Dub'
*2001 – 'Dubbin'It Live' (summer 2001, at Paléo Festival)
Bull In The Pen
Black Uhuru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too much bull inna the pen
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The mark of the beast is on a president
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
While babies with open mouth holler and shout
Shed tears for food, to eat day and night
Ethiopia is calling, show your African pride
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The truth doesn't make you less of a man
So mixed South-Africa no, they are lying
You can't get nothing to eat
They all are freaks
Come and get shot
Some send to the desert to suffer
The fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The mark of the beast is on a president
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
(.)
To hide the truth from my people
Why stomp and steer when technology is advance?
Your reward shall be your treat
Some walking up and down the street
With nothing to eat
The fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
Mark of the beast is on a president
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The mark of the beast is on a president
I said, the fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
Modernized, walking, up and down all over
The fence can't hold
Too much bull inna the pen
The song "Bull in the Pen" by Black Uhuru talks about the corruption and oppression faced by black people in Africa. The lyrics highlight the struggles of people facing starvation and poverty while their leaders show no concern for their welfare. The fence referred to in the song represents the barriers put up by the leaders to keep the people oppressed, but eventually, the bull, a symbol of the people's power, will break down the fence and revolt.
The verses also criticize the mark of the beast, a reference to the Christian belief of the Antichrist, who will lead the world astray. The line "mark of the beast is on a president" signifies the presence of corrupt leaders who use deceit and manipulation to maintain their power. The song also celebrates African heritage and urges people to take pride in their culture and history.
Overall, "Bull in the Pen" is a passionate protest song that highlights the social, political, and economic issues affecting Africa. The lyrics encourage the oppressed to rise up and fight against their oppressors and celebrate African culture as a source of hope and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
I said, the fence can't hold
The situation is too intense to be contained
Too much bull inna the pen
There are too many powerful forces at play
The mark of the beast is on a president
The singer believes that political leaders have evil intentions
Round the bend, vesting supernatural force
There are powerful external forces at work that cannot be controlled
While babies with open mouth holler and shout
Innocent people are suffering and crying out for help
Shed tears for food, to eat day and night
People are struggling to survive and are desperate for nourishment
Ethiopia is calling, show your African pride
The singer is encouraging people to unite and be proud of their heritage
The truth doesn't make you less of a man
It is important to speak the truth and not be afraid to do so
So mixed South-Africa no, they are lying
The government is not being honest about the situation in South Africa
You can't get nothing to eat
Food scarcity is a major problem
They all are freaks
The people in power are corrupt and immoral
Come and get shot
Violence is a constant threat
Some send to the desert to suffer
People are being unfairly punished and forced to endure harsh conditions
To hide the truth from my people
The government is not being transparent or forthcoming
Why stomp and steer when technology is advance?
There is no need to use outdated methods when there are modern solutions available
Your reward shall be your treat
The artist is warning that actions have consequences
Some walking up and down the street
People are struggling to find work and are experiencing poverty
Modernized, walking, up and down all over
There is a sense of chaos and confusion
Contributed by Anna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@w.l.barlow8014
Someone asked for the Lyrics to this song.
See following, and enjoy:
----
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
The mark of the beast is on a president.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
Round the bend vesting supernatural force.
While babies with open mouth holler and shout.
Shed tears for food, to eat day and night.
Ethiopia is calling show your African pride.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
The truth doesn’t make you less of a man.
So mixed South-Africa no, they are lying.
You can’t get nothing to eat.
They all are freaks.
Come and get shot.
Some send to the desert to suffer.
The fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
The mark of the beast is on a president.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
To hide the truth from my people.
Why stomp and steer when technology is advance?
Your reward shall be your treat.
Some walking up and down the street,
with nothing to eat.
The fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
The fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
Mark of the beast is on a president.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
The mark of the beast is on a president.
I said, the fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
Modernized, walking, up and down all over.
The fence can't hold, too much bull in a the pen.
@chancecole8928
These guys deserve more credit! A little darker sound but every bit as crucial to reggae as ANY group!
@Soli_Deo_Gloria_.
lol...
They're recognized as one of the greatest bands of all time.
At least by me 😁
God bless you and yours brother
@raymondsanchez7847
RIP Uncle Rudy….showed me this album at 12 years old been hooked ever since, classic all the way thru!!!
@kentgoodall3254
This track is more than wicked
The lyrics are sick
@erikjordan8826
Formação de ouro, Michael, Puma Jones, D.Simpson and Sly & Robbie 🇯🇲🔥🔥🔥🔥 Black Uhuru ♥️
@jiffyjim4038
Probably one of the greatest reggae bands ever created by God..💎💎💎💎💎
@winebuyah
pretty sure u meant created by JAH! Rass-ta-far-I&I
@winebuyah
pretty sure u meant by JAH! ❤
@danc8013
Black Uhuru .... 30 years later!! The music still rocks... are people listening?
@tof70200
dan c >> I'm listening Black Uhuru since 1981 ;)