Capital Letters were a big band, eight-strong (adding another guitarist/vocalist for their 1979 John Peel radio session), that boasted four vocalists, two drummers (one the conga player) and two percussionists among their ranks. In Jamaica, brass and/or organ filled out the arrangements.
Unfortunately, Capital Letters were also a relatively-short lived band. After Headline News they only released one other LP--Vineyard on a minor German label in 1982--and it is rarely in print. That and a handful of fine 12" were all the Capital Letters wrote.
Goodnews CAPITAL LETTERS the band are now practising and will be playing out soon doing all their tracks and more , I should know I'm the keyboard player Perch.
Rumours
Capital Letters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this dread, dread, dread, dreadful land
There will be people killing people
There will be famine, famine, famine and starvation...
You better hear me when I say
Brethren watch and pray
Because that day
When there will be wailing
Children screaming and grown men crying
I see the mother, they bawl for their daughters
Why cause their daughters, they are only young children
Bearing young children!
Bearing young children!
You see they've lost the respect
For their grandparents children
These lyrics speak to the alarming reality of the state of the world today, a world where there are wars and rumors of wars, famine and starvation, and people killing people. The opening line is a direct reference to a passage in the Christian Bible (Matthew 24:6-7) that speaks of wars and rumors of wars being a sign of the end times. The repetition of the word "dread" underscores the ominous tone and sense of impending doom that pervades the song.
The second verse urges listeners to be vigilant and prepare for the inevitable judgment day, where there will be wailing, screaming children, and crying grown men. The last verse is particularly poignant, as it speaks of the loss of respect for grandparents and the bearing of young children who will be subjected to the same horrors that their parents and grandparents have experienced.
The lyrics of "Rumours" serve as a stark reminder of the difficult times we live in and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and to be aware of the larger forces at play in the world, whether man-made or natural. The song also underscores the importance of empathy and respect, particularly for the generations that have come before us and the generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
There will be wars and rumours of war,
There will be conflict and speculation about conflict, causing distress in this frightful and alarming land.
In this dread, dread, dread, dreadful land
Emphasizing the terror and anxiety present in this land.
There will be people killing people
The violence will lead to the deaths of some individuals by the hands of others.
There will be famine, famine, famine and starvation...
Food shortages and malnutrition will also be rampant, leading to starvation.
You better hear me when I say
Pay attention to what I am saying.
Brethren watch and pray
My brothers and sisters, be vigilant and pray for guidance.
Because that day
Referring to the day of judgement.
Is not so far away from judgement day comes
The day of judgement is approaching rapidly.
When there will be wailing
There will be cries of sorrow and pain.
Children screaming and grown men crying
Both children and grown men will be in agony, showing the extent of the suffering.
I see the mother, they bawl for their daughters
Mothers are grieving for their daughters.
Why cause their daughters, they are only young children
The daughters are innocent young children, which makes the situation even more tragic.
Bearing young children!
These young children are the future, and their suffering will have lasting effects.
You see they've lost the respect
The young generation has lost the respect.
For their grandparents children
For the children of their elders, indicating the breakdown of traditional values and the generational divide.
Writer(s): Wenty Stewart, Junior Brown, Roderick Harvey, Earl Lynch, Danny Mckeb, George Scarlett Copyright: Greensleeves Publishing Limited
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.