A wise man onc… Read Full Bio ↴King Shango, King David, The Fireman and The Prophet.
A wise man once said that a prophet is not without honour save in his own country and so it has been with Capleton. While the veteran DJ's words and works long ago earned him the title of "The Prophet", the respect and honor that should rightfully be his have been a long time coming. "Anytime you try to uplift righteousness and upliftment of the people them, then you ah go get a fight", says the hottest entertainer in the worldwide reggae fraternity. "Bob Marley come do it and them fight him. And when Bob Marley dead, that's when they start to endorse him. I already aware of this, I am not unaware. So I know the more them fight I is the more I get stronger" In the fast-moving world of dancehall reggae, fame and success are hard to obtain and easy to lose. Fans can be fickle, and trends change in the blink of an eye, leaving most entertainers with painfully short career spans. Only a rare few can remain relevant from year to year, holding their audience's attention and leaving them crying for more. His lyrics are deep, precise, and thoughtful. His stage shows are nothing less than dynamic, explosive performances. But his remarkable staying power and longevity may be Capleton's greatest gift.
Born Clifton George Bailey III on April 13, 1967, in the rural parish of St. Mary, Capleton earned his future stage name from friends who were so impressed with his sharp reasoning skills that they named him after the most famous lawyer in town. From a tender young age, he was a lover of the traveling sound systems, sneaking out at night to catch the vibes until dawn. But it wasn't until he turned 18 and moved to Kingston that he was able to realize his destiny.
It was Stewart Brown, owner of a Toronto-based sound called African Star, who gave the untested artist his first break, flying him to Canada for a stage show alongside giants like Ninjaman and Flourgon. The audience poured out their appreciation, and he never looked back. When Capleton first burst on the scene in the late 1980s, the dancehall was a very different place than it is today. Slackness and gun talk were the order of the day. This bright promising newcomer announced his arrival with a string of hit songs from "Bumbo Red" to "Number One on the Look Good Chart" and "Lotion Man." Everything he touched hit the sound-good charts, and the youthful artist with the nimble vocabulary and hardcore voice quickly established himself as one of dancehall's most reliable hitmakers. But even he could not have predicted that eleven years later, at the start of the new millennium, he would be dancehall's ruling voice.
"I think the people dem see say me really deserve that because of the amount of years me put in," Capleton says, "and we never really bow and we still hold the faith. We stand up for whatever we a say. Yeah and we really work for it. And them say by your works, a so you get your pay. The people them see the amount of fight me face and the whole heap of accusation. And me still never give up"
When he dropped the tune "Alms House" in 1992, Capleton established himself as more than an entertainer but as a guiding light of righteousness through music. "United we stand and divided we fall," he sang for the benefit of his fans and dancehall comrades. "Nuff of them nah go know themself till them back against the wall." A few years later he came back with yet another antidote to the clashing and rivlary that had taken hold of the dancehall business. "Music is a mission," he reminded his fellow artists, "not a competition. Some man use the music to cause confusion." The path of this dancehall Prophet was clearly established in 1994 with a string of songs that declared his newfound faith in Rastafari. "INI sight up the light and see say really, yunno, Rasta is real," he recalls. "founder of the world, because Rasta did come set the trend. Y'unnerstand. Rasta is life."
The first words of his mega-hit "Dis The Trinity" made it plain that the DJ had experienced some kind of revelation. "I was once lost but now I'm found," he stated, "Selassie I live every time." Capleton became a strong advocate of the teaching of the Jamaican National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and advocate of universal black repatriation. "Babylon rewarded us with hatred for our love," he declares. "They taught us to rape, steal and kill. For instance, they stole our literature and taught it back to us in a different manner so as to infiltrate our minds with foolishness and other misconceptions. Now we as black men do not see ourselves as prince and prophets, but as punks and guys. Our women do not see themselves as queens, princesses or empresses anymore, but as harlots and concubines." The only solution, as Bob Marley advocated, is to emancipate oneself from mental slavery.
"Over the years INI as a nation and a people, them no really teach INI nuttin' bout INI black self. You know I mean? Them teach INI them give we European philosophy. So INI and some other youths a try emerge now, we ask certain question and we ask fi certain things. Caw we know say an institute, or in a college, or in a certain organization we need we Ethiopian curriculum, we need the black man thing. We need to know about weself. Becaw the prophet Marcus Garvey did show we say, A nation without no knowledge of them own history is like a tree without a root. And if you don't know where you're coming from, you're not gonna know where you're going."
Even as he uplifts the black race, Capleton always makes a point of clarifying that he does not seek to alienate any race. "We are not being racial nor prejudiced star," he says. "Becaw we know Jah is for everyone. But where history and prophesy in concerned, that is our witness and we have to be ourself, and we cannot hide from the truth. Caw we woulda be a traitor and a sellout to ourself. And you cannot sell out yourself."
Soon thereafter came the song "Tour" a blazing state of the dancehall report written in the weeks following the slaying of Panhead and Dirtsman, two of Capleton's fellow artists. That song not only became an anthem of the roots revival within the dancehall, but a hip hop flavored remix of that song hit the Billboard charts, opening up a huge new audience to Capleton's messages of righteousness.
There followed a relationship with Def Jam records, who released two Capleton albums, Prophecy and I-Testament, which featured memorable collaborations with rap stars like Method Man and Q-Tip. Both records were warmly accepted by the international audience, but as the millennium drew to a close, Capleton sensed that it was time to return to his core audience. He had work to do. "I have to be myself, right? And I only can be me," he reasons. "So whichever way fi make me be me, I work with dat. Y'understand."
Capleton is now at the height of his powers. 1999 and 2000 have brought a ceaseless string of sound system favorite and dancehall chart toppers like the anti-violence anthem "Jah Jah City" and "Good In Her Clothes," a message of respect for the sisters who carry themselves like Empresses rather than. But even as he completes his mission of upliftment, Capleton has had many critics. One of his biggest hits, in fact, is addressed the naysayers in the press and the ivory towers of power. "Critics won't leave I alone," chats the Prophet. "They say they can't take the fire weh me put pon Rome"
Many of Capleton's songs "and most of his critics" make mention of this blazing fire. Capleton hopes to clear up the confusion once and for all. "Is not really a physical fire. Is really a spiritual fire, and a wordical fire, and a musical fire. You see the fire is all about a livity. But is people get it on the wrong term. People get confused.So when a man say "more fire" him think that mean say you fi go light the cane field or go light the church." Fire, Capleton explains, is a way of reminding one's brother that they are going astray. "That way a man know say him doing something wrong. That even give him the urge to know say Yo check up on yourself. What you're doing is not right, or else him would not say "Fire fi dat," or "Burn dat" or "More fire." "If we go check it back now," he continues, "fire is for the purification of earth, anyhow you check it. This earth itself have to even emerge from the literal fire also, which is the volcanic activity, we a talk bout lava. The hottest element to rise us in the morning is the sun. The water cleanse, but it's still the support from the fire that burn the water, burn out of the bacteria so the water coulda heal we fi cleanse. The herb heal, but it's still the fire fi burn the herb so the herb coulda heal we also."
{Bio is courtesy of Rob Kenner} www.vprecords.com
Hurts My Heart
Capleton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to share my thoughts
It hurts my heart
They won't walk the righteous path
When me go so almshouse an' me no want that 'bout
Dem go walk bout a run up dem mouth
After me lef from Jamaica go a foreign pon tour
When me did say woman me, lotion me, no lotion man
That dismantle dem boogeying plan
Then me go say music is a mission not a competition
Nuff a dem run go turn carbon
Then me say the heathen dem a rage
Ask dem how long and tell dem hold a meditation
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
When me tell dem watch how dem flex and how dem program
Dem put on the wings of the morning and fly
When me say don't try to trick I you little Satan spy
Dem build coffin and prepare fi die
Tell dem no dis the trinity and dem can't sleep a night
Dem get the treat and no take the warning
Then me go say wake up in the glorious morning
I man see Babylon but your kingdom is falling
Then me juggle again and sing
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
When me get the new talk fi spread
Babylon think me dead
Who seek a live and I say who talk dead
Fire red
Cold cold cold cold blooded murderer
Oonu fi look out
Live clean so that your works can be seen
Me bawl why why mankind dem so cuvitch
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
Well me say dem hard fi believe
And me see it from afar
Dem no like me and me no like dem
When me go?
While the sun shine
Nuff a dem still come get bad mind
Then me go say war upon the leader dem mind
But a long time?
And again well, oh, Dem a gwaan like dem good so
And again.. oh Dem a gwaan like dem a bad so
Then me have fi light up mi callie so go burn down Rome
Then chant burn down Sodom
Babylon know me make me want chant me song
Well a long time we warn dem and dem neva want listen
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
It hurts my heart
Got to share my thoughts
It hurts my heart
They won't walk the righteous path
When me go so almshouse an me no want that bout
Dem go walk bout a run up dem mouth
After me lef from Jamaica go a foreign pon tour
When me come back dem turn big time sell out
When me did say woman me lotion me no lotion man
That dismantle dem boogeying plan
Then me go say music is a mission not a competition
Nuff a dem run go turn carbon
Then me say the heathen dem a rage
Ask dem how long and tell dem hold a meditation
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
When me tell dem watch how dem flex and how dem program
Dem put on the wings of the morning and fly
When me say don't try to trick I you little Satan spy
Dem build coffin and prepare fi die
Tell dem no dis the trinity and dem can't sleep a night
Dem get the treat and no take the warning
Then me go say wake up in the glorious morning
I man see Babylon but your kingdom is falling
Then me juggle again and sing
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
When me get the new talk fi spread
Babylon think me dead
Who seek a live and I say who talk dead
Fire red
Cold cold cold cold blooded murderer
Oonu fi look out
Live clean so that your works can be seen
Me bawl why why mankind dem so cuvitch
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
Well me say dem hard fi believe
And me see it from afar
Dem no like me and me no like dem
When me go?
While the sun shine
Nuff a dem still come get bad mind
Then me go say war upon the leader dem mind
But a long time?
And again well, oh, Dem a gwaan like dem good so
And again.. oh Dem a gwaan like dem a bad so
Then me have fi light up mi callie so go burn down Rome
Then chant burn down Sodom
Babylon know me make me want chant me song
Well a long time we warn dem and dem neva want listen
Well, I say it hurt my heart, heart
And I got to share my thought, thought, thought
Judgment
The lyrics of Capleton's song 'Hurts My Heart' express the pain and frustration the artist feels as he witnesses people around him deviate from the path of righteousness. Capleton starts by complaining about people who gossip behind his back, while he is away on tour. He feels betrayed by people he considered friends, who have now turned into sell-outs. He then moves on to talk about music, stating that it is a mission, not a competition. He warns those who try to imitate him, who are not genuine, that they are just copies and not unique. Capleton also mentions heathens who are on a rage, and he advises them to hold a meditation to calm their minds.
Capleton then talks about Babylon, and how its kingdom is falling. He advises people to live clean so that their works can be seen, and he accuses others of being cold-blooded murderers. He highlights the fact that he is spreading a new message, but Babylon assumes he is dead. Capleton then warns of the consequences of going against the trinity, that people should not disregard the warning they have been given. He advises Babylon to wake up in the glorious morning and to realize that their time is up. Finally, Capleton talks about the disbelief and bad minds of some people, but he notes that he has been warning them for a long time, yet they refused to listen.
Line by Line Meaning
It hurts my heart
Capleton is saddened by the state of the world and what he sees happening around him.
Got to share my thoughts
Capleton feels compelled to speak out and voice his opinion on what he sees going on in the world.
They won't walk the righteous path
Capleton observes that many people are not living their lives in accordance with good morals and principles.
When me go so almshouse an' me no want that 'bout
Capleton realizes that he cannot continue to live in a negative and careless way, and seeks to avoid such a lifestyle.
Dem go walk bout a run up dem mouth
Capleton criticizes those who talk too much and don't take any action to back up their words.
After me lef from Jamaica go a foreign pon tour
Capleton recounts a time when he traveled outside of Jamaica for work.
When me come back dem turn big time sell out
Capleton laments the fact that when he returned home, he found that some people had betrayed their values to attain success and fame.
When me did say woman me, lotion me, no lotion man
Capleton explains that he only supports positivity, and does not endorse any actions that could be considered sinful or immoral.
That dismantle dem boogeying plan
Capleton's stance on morality and positivity is something that undermines the plans and intentions of those with ulterior motives.
Then me go say music is a mission not a competition
Capleton asserts that music should be used as a tool for uplifting people and spreading positivity, instead of being used for personal gain and competition.
Nuff a dem run go turn carbon
Capleton observes that many people have lost sight of what's important and have become mere copies of each other.
Then me say the heathen dem a rage
Capleton highlights the anger and negativity that is pervasive in society, particularly among people who are not guided by positive values and morals.
Ask dem how long and tell dem hold a meditation
Capleton challenges people to reflect on their choices and actions, and to make a conscious effort to live a better life.
Judgment
Capleton warns that individuals who do not abide by positive morals and values will have to face the consequences at some point in their lives.
When me tell dem watch how dem flex and how dem program
Capleton advises people to be mindful of their actions and behavior in order to live a more positive and fulfilling life.
Dem put on the wings of the morning and fly
Capleton critiques those who claim to have good intentions, but do not follow through on their words and promises.
When me say don't try to trick I you little Satan spy
Capleton implores people to stop being deceitful and to refrain from using negative tactics to get ahead in life.
Dem build coffin and prepare fi die
Capleton warns that engaging in negative behavior will ultimately lead to negative consequences (death).
Tell dem no dis the trinity and dem can't sleep a night
Capleton warns people not to disrespect God (the trinity), as they will be haunted by their actions and cannot find peace.
Dem get the treat and no take the warning
Capleton observes that people often ignore good advice and warnings, even when they know they're headed down the wrong path.
Then me go say wake up in the glorious morning
Capleton encourages people to become more aware of their actions and live their lives more intentionally, in order to experience the beauty and potential of each day.
I man see Babylon but your kingdom is falling
Capleton predicts that those who do not live positively and morally will experience a fall from grace at some point in their lives, despite their current success.
Then me juggle again and sing
Capleton continues to spread his message of positivity through his music, even when faced with negativity and opposition from others.
When me get the new talk fi spread
Capleton relishes the opportunity to bring a new message of hope to his fans and followers.
Babylon think me dead
Capleton has defied those who have tried to silence him, causing them to believe he is no longer a threat or influential.
Who seek a live and I say who talk dead
Capleton encourages his listeners to seek more positive life experiences and to shy away from negative and harmful behavior.
Fire red
Capleton is passionate and powerful in his message of positivity, and is not afraid to express his opinions and emotions.
Cold cold cold cold blooded murderer
Capleton is calling out those who live their lives with cruelty and indifference, metaphorically labeling them as murderers.
Oonu fi look out
Capleton warns those who are living negatively and spreading negativity to be aware that their actions have consequences.
Live clean so that your works can be seen
Capleton advises individuals to live pure and moral lives so that their positive actions become examples for others to follow and be inspired by.
Me bawl why why mankind dem so cuvitch
Capleton openly laments the human inclination towards negativity and deceitfulness.
Well me say dem hard fi believe
Capleton finds it frustrating that others find it difficult to believe in the power and importance of positivity.
And me see it from afar
Capleton's message of positivity is something that he understands and views from a far-reaching perspective.
Dem no like me and me no like dem
Capleton recognizes that there are individuals who oppose him and his message, and he in turn does not care for them.
When me go?
Capleton hints at his eventual passing and the impact that his messages will have long after he is gone.
While the sun shine
Capleton advises individuals to take advantage of the opportunities that surround them and use their time wisely, while they still can.
Nuff a dem still come get bad mind
Capleton highlights the fact that negativity and jealousy still persists in certain individuals, despite his messages of positivity.
Then me go say war upon the leader dem mind
Capleton calls out leaders who embody negativity and encourages others to fight against these negative influences.
But a long time?
Capleton reflects on the fact that his fight for positivity has been a long and ongoing battle.
And again well, oh, Dem a gwaan like dem good so
Capleton critiques the fact that many people claim to live in a good and moral way, but in reality, they do not.
And again.. oh Dem a gwaan like dem a bad so
Capleton also critiques the fact that many people claim to have a tough and intimidating demeanor, but in reality, they are not.
Then me have fi light up mi callie so go burn down Rome
Capleton turns to the Rastafarian symbolism of the burning of Rome to convey his desire for a positive change in the world, using music as his conduit.
Then chant burn down Sodom
Capleton references the biblical story of the destruction of Sodom to emphasize the consequences of living negatively and immorally.
Babylon know me make me want chant me song
Capleton's empowering and positive message has made him a threat to those who oppose it, but he uses music to continue to spread his message.
Well a long time we warn dem and dem neva want listen
Capleton has been spreading his message of positivity for quite some time, but many people still refuse to take heed and listen to his words.
When me go so almshouse an me no want that bout
Capleton is determined to live a life that is free of negativity and bad influences.
When me did say woman me lotion me no lotion man
Capleton is clear in his stance - he only supports actions and behaviors that align with positive morals and values.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music
Written by: CLIFTON GEORGE BAILEY, I. MCLAUGHLIN, IAN KENNETH GEORGE ALLEN, L. MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Truth teller
on Who Dem
Say me nah keep no funny man friend
Tell me say me nah keep no
(Edit)
Friend
Tell them say me nah keep no funny man friend
Tell them say me nah keep no sodomite friend
Truth teller
on Who Dem
Ruben ah wah we a go do to dem
What actions are we going to take against them?
Slew dem, who dem
We must defeat them, who are they?
Who demwell done, yo
Whoever they are, we've done a great job against them
So me seh again
Let me say it again
Slew dem ah pure feeling dem a carry
We must defeat them because they only carry negative energy
Dem done bow already and dem can't say dem sorry ya
They have already lost and they can't even apologize
Unno wan do dem something for me again well yo yo it name
Let's do something against them again, it's what we do
Who dem ah couldah, wha dat dem a try
Who do they think they are, what are they trying to do?
Dem go dis King Selassie watch all a dem die yo
By opposing King Selassie, they will face repercussions
Who dem me go see dem wit dem spell
Who are they that use witchcraft?
Dem dis Emmanuel and dem soul gone a hell
By opposing Emmanuel, they will lead themselves to hell
Who dem a coulda, who dem waan cuss, dem dis Marcus
Who do they think they are, disrespecting Marcus?
And now dem all bite de dust ya
Now they are facing the consequences of their actions
Who dem and me go tell dem fi splurt
We will tell them to flee and never come back
Tell dem dem can't dis mama earth
They cannot harm mother nature
Say me nah keep no funny man friend
I won't be friends with those who are not honest and sincere
Tell me say me nah keep no
I am told to not keep a
Friend
dishonest friend
Nah go stoop low me trod di rocky road dem
I won't lower myself to their level and will keep to my difficult path
Da fire ya, it redder dan red, da one yah name
The fire that burns within me is intense and unstoppable
So me bun out dem dutty heart
I will remove those with evil intentions
Dem evil heart and dem corrupted thought nyam too much
They have too much greed and corrupt thoughts
Snake under grass, bow to de boss
Snakes hide under the grass and serve their boss
Move too fast, me tell dem bout dem
They move too fast, I will let them know
Who go tell dem to provoke de youths dem to wrath
Who told them to provoke the youth to anger?
Now de youth dem seh dem nah trust no shadow after dark
Now the youth don't trust anyone in the dark
Nah tek no check nor no fool fool talk
They won't take any payments or foolish talk
Dem know who and who ah come straight from dem heart
They know who is sincere and genuine
Know who a hypocrite from de way how dem talk
They know who is dishonest based on their speech
Dis de emperor and watch de whole a dem loss
Opposing the emperor will lead to their downfall
Can't even find food to put inna dem troft
They are so impoverished they can't even afford food
Not even bicycle much less donkey cart
They can't even afford basic transportation
Can't even creep, much less fi walk
They can't even crawl, let alone walk
Dem can't even smile nor laugh da one yah name
They can't even enjoy life's simple pleasures
Who dem ah dem ah want ah treasure
They are after treasure
Tell dem dem caan dis mama 'mega
They cannot disrespect mother nature
Sense did a gi weh like dem never get a pence
They are senseless, they can't even think logically
Seems like dem gone school and go warm bench
It seems like they went to school to waste time
Dem nah have no faith no confidence
They don't have any faith or confidence in themselves
Nah hold no faith nah block no reverence
They don't hold any faith or respect
Find out say nuff a dem disobedient
Many of them are disobedient
So me find out dem no have no conscience
I found out they have no conscience
Dem no have a clean heart nor a clear conscience
They don't have a pure heart or a clear conscience
Dis king Selassie I it never mek sense
Opposing King Selassie I is nonsensical
Dis Emmanuel and dem get kick of a de bench
By opposing Emmanuel, they will be defeated
Dis Marcus Garvey ah weh the case dem get drenched
Opposing Marcus Garvey was an unfavorable decision
Who dem, who dem yo
Whoever they are, who are they?
noah's ark
on Babylon Judgement
Mystery Babylon is the new world order
Sherry
on Bad Mind
Bad Mind- Jealousy or Envy The song is about people with the problem and how to avoid having bad mind