During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.
They released four albums before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.
The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers
Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)
Down Presser
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Oh, along that day, sad day
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Tell me, downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
You run to the rocks, rocks will be melting, man
When you run to the rocks, the rocks will be melting, so run
When you run to the rocks, rocks will be melting
Oh, along that day, sad day for you
Oh, when you gonna run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Oh, along that day, that day
So, you gonna run to the Lord, oh, what you hidin'
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Oh, along that day, sad day for you, man
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Mercy on judgment, Lord
I said, mercy on judgment, Lord
Oh, along that day
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
Wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
Oh, along that day
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers's song Down Presser depict a powerful message of justice and retribution. The song addresses the Downpressor man, who is a symbol of oppression and exploitation for the African people. The lyrics begin with a plea for mercy on judgment day, highlighting the inevitability of accountability for one's actions. The song then asks the Downpressor man where he will run to when judgment comes, whether he will run to the rocks or the sea. The imagery of the rocks melting and the sea boiling represents the apocalyptic consequences of the Downpressor man's actions.
The song ultimately suggests that the only place for the Downpressor man to run to is the Lord. However, even the Lord cannot protect him from the consequences of his own actions. The lyrics end with a statement that being a flea under the collar of the Downpressor man would be an undesirable position to be in, highlighting the power dynamic and the harm caused by oppression.
Overall, the lyrics to Down Presser are a powerful condemnation of oppression and a warning of the inevitable consequences of exploitation. The song encourages all listeners to seek justice and to stand up against oppression, no matter how powerful the oppressor may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May the Lord have mercy on us when he delivers judgment upon us.
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May we receive mercy from the Lord when he delivers judgment upon us.
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May we be shown mercy by the Lord when he delivers judgment upon us.
Oh, along that day, sad day
On the day the Lord delivers his judgment, it will be a sad day for those who have done wrong.
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Oh oppressor, where will you go to escape the judgment of the Lord?
Tell me, downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Please tell me, oppressor, where will you try to hide from the Lord's judgment?
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Oh oppressor, where will you find refuge from the Lord's judgment?
Oh, when you gonna run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
If you try to escape the Lord's judgment by running to the sea, the sea will be boiling and you will find no shelter.
When you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
The sea will be too hot to provide any safe harbor for those trying to escape the Lord's judgment.
Run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Even if you try to escape the Lord's judgment by running to the sea, it will offer you no refuge as it will be boiling hot.
Oh, along that day, that day
On the day of the Lord's judgment, even trying to escape to the sea will be of no use.
So, you gonna run to the Lord, oh, what you hidin'
Will you turn to the Lord to try and hide something?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
What is it that you're trying to hide from the Lord by running to him?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Don't run to the Lord to try and hide something because he sees all, knows all and will judge all.
Oh, along that day, sad day for you, man
On the day of the Lord's judgment, it will be a sad day for those who have something they're still trying to hide from him.
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be in a position close to you when the Lord's judgment is pronounced against you.
Wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be so close to you that even if I were a flea stuck under your collar, I would be caught in the Lord's judgment.
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be anywhere near you when the Lord's judgment falls upon you.
Oh, along that day
On the day of the Lord's judgment, may we not be in the company of those who will be judged.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsNooneinparticular
This song slaps. Highly underrated. Tosh was just as good a lead singer as Bob, though I prefer Bob as a solo songwriter. But the group? Yeah, they were magical.
@johnrice332
Agreed
@seanbeukman9563
Indeed. Peter Tosh is magic.
@willieluncheonette
Seventh song remembering Peter Tosh.
Remember our first post yesterday of Peter singing "The Toughest"? There we mentioned that Bob and Bunny first saw Peter walking down a street, guitar in hand, singing Go Tell It On the Mountain and Sinner Man. Well, Downpresser is Peter;s third recording of the traditional Sinner Man which he first cut at Studio One in 1966.
Peter's strong baritone voice filled with righteous emotion makes this song a total success. From the same Lee Perry session that yielded Band New Secondhand around January 1971. This will be our last Peter Tosh song with the Wailers---now it's onto his tremendous solo work.
@emilescheffers5365
Thanks ...always good to know all these facts .
@jamjar142
Thanks for the posting, this is my favourite version.
@shakib80
.."all along that day"... This is a classic one!!
@momaghribi.-7211
Such a BOSS picture.
This group man,man,man.
❤.
@peterfuzz3887
the very first version : sublime
@fatrobdouble
The Wailers recorded at least one version called "Sinner Man," like the N.American song this was based on, at Studio One, in the 60s. This is Lee Perry produced, 70 or early 71.