From his website:
If you know reggae music, you know Clinton 'Basie' Fearon. Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry. His infectious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and powerful vocals make Bassie a living legend amongst reggae musicians and fans.
As a youth, Bassie went to Kingston to eventually become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded many of Perry's best known songs, including Roast Fish and Cornbread which features one of Fearon's most famous bass lines. He also composed some everlasting basslines for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many many others.
Bucky Massa
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but memories linger on
work work work like a honey bee
while bucky massa reap the sweet
work work work a we plant the seed
but a way too much greed to feed
i've got no choice i must rebel
guide i oh jah through the though the
guide my arrow
bucky massa keep robbin' the poor
every day him rob some more
ain't much more for him to rob
enough is enough give i and i a break
the fire is hot hotter than hot
and a little bit of faith is all i've got
i don't wanna lose my soul
so guide i oh jah through the thorns of tomorrow
guide my arrow oh jah
temptation won't leave me alone
sometimes i feel like mashin' up the town
now you think i'm crazy
but i ain't crazy oh no no no no
you think i'm crazy
but i ain't crazy no no no no no
a revolution is in the air
and bucky massa him no care
In the song "Bucky Massa" by Clinton Fearon, the lyrics tell a story of a man who is tired of working hard while his boss, Bucky Massa, reaps the benefits of his labor. He speaks of memories that linger on while also acknowledging that yesterday is dead and gone. The hard work is compared to that of a honey bee, constantly planting seeds, but realizing that there is way too much greed to feed. The singer feels as though he has no choice but to rebel against this oppression and asks Jah (God) to guide him through the thorns of tomorrow and to also guide his arrow. Bucky Massa has been robbing the poor every day, and enough is enough. The singer does not want to lose his soul, as he feels the temptation to take matters into his own hands and possibly cause destruction. He does not want to be viewed as crazy for wanting a revolution, as he sees it is the only way for things to change.
The lyrics in "Bucky Massa" are a depiction of the social and economic unrest that often leads to revolts and revolutions. It gives a voice to the struggles of the working class against the wealthy who profit off their labor. The rebellion that is referred to in the song may not necessarily be a violent one but rather a peaceful one where the people unite and demand change from those in power. The use of Jah throughout the song suggests a Rastafarian message that has a spiritual element to it. The line "sometimes I feel like mashin' up the town" refers to the frustration and anger that the singer feels towards the system and those that run it. This line portrays the desperation that people feel when they are oppressed and have no means to fight back.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday may be dead and gone
The past is over and cannot be changed
but memories linger on
However, we still hold onto memories of the past
work work work like a honey bee
We work tirelessly like bees to survive
while bucky massa reap the sweet
Though we work hard, those in power take the rewards
work work work a we plant the seed
We are responsible for creating change by working hard
but a way too much greed to feed
However, there are corrupt people who have insatiable greed
i've got no choice i must rebel
When the situation becomes unbearable, we must rebel to make a change
guide i oh jah through the though the
We need guidance from a higher power to navigate through difficult times
thorns of tomorrow
The challenges that we may face in the future
guide my arrow
We ask for guidance in our actions and decisions
bucky massa keep robbin' the poor
The powerful continue to exploit the poor
every day him rob some more
This exploitation is ongoing and never-ending
ain't much more for him to rob
The poor have nothing left to give
enough is enough give i and i a break
The poor demand a break from this exploitation
the fire is hot hotter than hot
The situation is dire and urgent
and a little bit of faith is all i've got
In the midst of all this, we hold on to our faith and hope for better days
i don't wanna lose my soul
We don't want to compromise our values and morals in this struggle
so guide i oh jah through the thorns of tomorrow
We ask for divine protection and guidance in this struggle
guide my arrow oh jah
We ask for guidance in our actions and decisions
temptation won't leave me alone
We struggle with temptation to give up or give in
sometimes i feel like mashin' up the town
The frustration and anger we feel can become overwhelming
now you think i'm crazy
Others may view our struggles as irrational or extreme
but i ain't crazy oh no no no no
However, our struggles are justified and necessary
a revolution is in the air
Change is coming and a movement for revolution is growing
and bucky massa him no care
Those in power are indifferent to the struggles of the poor
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.