Black Soul
Burning Spear Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It is not good to travel today
Neither to cross the ocean
Desert's so dry
Water-thirst kill you

Don't good to travel today
Neither to cross the ocean
Desert's so dry
Water-thirst kill you
Kill you, kill you, kill you
Kill you, kill you

When it wet it slippery, yeah
When it damp it cramp your belly
Don't want to see you underground
Don't want to see you underground
Underground, underground, underground

Caution, my brother, caution, take heed
Black soul, you're black as they
Soul black, soul black
Soul black, soul black, soul black

I'm proud I'm black
I'm proud I'm black
I'm rejoicing I'm black
Who know black a go black again
Who know black a go black again

Soul black
My skin is black
Soul black, oh, soul black

Two more things for I to tell you right now
Two more things for I to tell you right now
Two more...

My old great grandmother-mother-mother
Great-great-great-greater-great grandmother-mother-mother-mother
She is black, soul black, yeah
She is black

My old great grandfather
Greater-greater-great-great-great-great-great
Grandfather-father-father-father-father-father-father, oh oh
He is black, soul black, soul black

So don't good to travel today
Neither to cross the ocean
Desert's so dry
Water-thirst kill you, oh
Kill you, oh
Kill you, mmm





Don't good to travel today
Neither to cross the ocean...

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Soul" by Burning Spear is a cautionary tale about the dangers of traveling, particularly across the ocean and through the harsh conditions of the desert. The lyrics warn that the desert is so dry that it can easily kill you from thirst, while cautioning against traveling in slippery or damp conditions. The repeated refrain of "soul black" speaks to the pride and heritage of the black community, while also acknowledging the challenges and obstacles they face in the world.


The song uses personal family history to highlight the generations of black individuals who have come before and overcome struggles, with the singer describing his "great-great-great-greater-great grandmother-mother-mother" and "greater-greater-great-great-great-great-great grandfather-father-father-father-father-father-father" as black and soulful. This not only emphasizes the deep roots and history of the black community but also shows the strength and resilience that has been passed down through generations.


Overall, "Black Soul" is not just a warning against physical danger but a celebration of black heritage and identity. It recognizes the challenges faced by the black community, particularly during a time of racial tension and civil rights struggles, while also celebrating the strength and pride of those who have come before.


Line by Line Meaning

It is not good to travel today
Traveling today is not advised


Neither to cross the ocean
Crossing the ocean is also discouraged


Desert's so dry
The desert is extremely dry


Water-thirst kill you
The thirst for water can be deadly


When it wet it slippery, yeah
Things are slippery when they are wet


When it damp it cramp your belly
Dampness can cause stomach discomfort


Don't want to see you underground
Don't want to see anyone dead and buried


Caution, my brother, caution, take heed
Be mindful and cautious, my brother


Black soul, you're black as they
You have a dark and beautiful soul


Soul black, soul black
The soul is a beautiful shade of black


I'm proud I'm black
I take pride in my blackness


I'm rejoicing I'm black
I celebrate being black


Who know black a go black again
Who knows when people will be oppressed again?


My skin is black
My skin tone is black


Two more things for I to tell you right now
I have two more things to tell you


My old great grandmother-mother-mother
My great-great-grandmother


Great-great-great-greater-great grandmother-mother-mother-mother
An ancestor who was several generations back


She is black, soul black, yeah
She too had a beautiful black soul


My old great grandfather
My great-great-grandfather


Greater-greater-great-great-great-great-great
Several generations back


Grandfather-father-father-father-father-father-father, oh oh
An ancestor several generations back


He is black, soul black, soul black
He too had a beautiful black soul


Kill you, oh
The thirst for water can be deadly


Kill you, mmm
The thirst for water can be deadly


Don't good to travel today
Traveling today is not advised


Neither to cross the ocean
Crossing the ocean is also discouraged




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WINSTON GODFREY RODNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

nkonzo mfeka

i really love the song and it's older dan me ... Bless up all Kings and Queens 🔥

Eric Ndegwa

Black soul, black am I, black to the bone. Raspect!

Mr. Allie

This song describes what's going on today with the Corona Virus and protests and riots.

Anthony Farrell

Here again . What a Vibes. RASTAFARI LIVETH. The Spear

Anthony Farrell

Who nah BLACK , nah BLACK again .We nah TAN

Abuyah Man-Get Topic

Burning spear

Dom

Big Up! Fya!

Yves Augustin

Who No black noh go black again my old great gram madda madda madda she black

opaque luna

Yes iyah!!

Jacob Lopez

Yes

More Comments

More Versions