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.
New Old Song
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't give up the fight
I'll never go astray
I won't give up the fight
Though sometimes feeling gray
I won't give up the fight
Oh no not at all
Freedome is a must
Freedome is a must
So no bother make no fuss
Freedome is a must
Don't get caught in the rush
Freedom is a must
Cause we won't give up at all
True love is hard to find
And that's reality
So don't preplex yourself
If you're not guilty
Jah will see you through
Prejudice intolerance and hate
What's the reason
So many lessons to be learnt
In every season
Jah will see you through
Don't let evil eyes
Kill the child within you
Don't let greediness
Capture your soul and defile you
Do you remember when we used to be
Just like a river that runs free
Break down the barriers
Break down the barriers
Break them down
Break them down
Break them down
Oh mash them down
The lyrics of Clinton Fearon's song New Old Song speak to the principles of freedom, perseverance, and love. Fearon starts by declaring his unwavering commitment to these principles, stating that he will never run away, go astray or give up the fight, even when feeling gray. He emphasizes the need for freedom, stating that it is a must, something that we truly lust after. Fearon encourages listeners not to get caught up in the rush and to avoid making a fuss, reminding them that freedom is something that we cannot give up at all.
In the second verse, Fearon touches on the theme of love, acknowledging that it can be hard to find, but that we shouldn't perplex ourselves if we're not guilty. Fearon believes that Jah, or God, will see us through any difficulties that we may face, including those caused by prejudice, intolerance, and hate. He reminds us not to let evil eyes kill the child within us or let greediness capture our soul and defile us. In the final verse, Fearon encourages listeners to break down the barriers that prevent us from being like a river that runs free. He entreats us to mash them down.
In summary, the song New Old Song by Clinton Fearon is a call to action for listeners to stay committed to the principles of freedom, perseverance, and love. Through his lyrics, Fearon encourages us to keep fighting for our rights, to stay true to ourselves, and to overcome any obstacles we may face. He reminds us that we have the strength to break down the barriers that hold us back and that, ultimately, it is our responsibility to maintain our freedom, protect our souls, and allow the river of our lives to flow freely.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never run away
I will not give up and run away from my struggles.
I won't give up the fight
I won't stop fighting for what I believe in.
I'll never go astray
I will not stray from my beliefs and values.
Though sometimes feeling gray
Despite feeling down or discouraged at times,
I won't give up the fight
I will still persist and not stop struggling.
Oh no not at all
Absolutely not.
Freedom is a must
It is an essential and necessary aspect of life.
And a that we truly lust
It is something we earnestly desire and yearn for.
So no bother make no fuss
Therefore, there is no need to complain or make noise.
Don't get caught in the rush
Avoid being distracted and pressured by others.
Cause we won't give up at all
Because we will continue the struggle with the same intensity and resolve.
True love is hard to find
Authentic romantic relationships are rare and difficult to locate in reality.
And that's reality
However, that is the unfortunate truth.
So don't preplex yourself
Therefore, do not worry or distress about it.
If you're not guilty
As long as you have not done anything wrong or unethical,
Jah will see you through
God will help you come out of the challenging or trying times.
Prejudice intolerance and hate
There are negative feelings and actions based on ignorance and fear.
What's the reason
What is the rationale or justification for these types of behaviors?
So many lessons to be learnt
There are various things we could learn and improve on.
In every season
At any given moment or time of the year.
Jah will see you through
God will provide assistance and support during these difficult times.
Don't let evil eyes
Do not let malicious individuals and negativity around you impact you negatively.
Kill the child within you
Destroying the sense of wonder and innocence within you.
Don't let greediness
Prevent material gain and selfishness from overtaking your soul.
Capture your soul and defile you
Take control of and ruin your spirit.
Do you remember when we used to be
Remember when we were once a certain way or had a particular bond.
Just like a river that runs free
Akin to a river moving smoothly without constraint.
Break down the barriers
Remove any impediments or obstacles in the way.
Break them down
Eliminate said barriers.
Break them down
Get rid of the barriers.
Oh mash them down
Completely demolish and destroy the barriers.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.