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.
Richman Poorman
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone claim that them are the chief
The rich man buy the poor man's life
The poor man take away the beggar man's wife
Don't cry my brothers
Don't cry my sisters
Tears won't change the situation
If you step on fire, fire burn you
If you play with puppy, puppy lick your mouth
So stand up strong, you got to know where you belong,
Say the weak ones now will soon become strong
Hey, everything will soon be okay
As soon as the war is over
Jah children will be free to come over
Singing and dancing ready to take over
Have some faith, have a little faith
Hey, everything will soon he okay
As soon as the war is over
Jah children will be free to come over
Singing and dancing ready to take over
Have some faith, have a little faith
Clinton Fearon's song "Richman Poorman" is a commentary on the complexities of society and the harsh realities of the class divide that pit rich against poor. The first four lines of the song paint a picture of the hierarchy within society; everyone believes they are the most important, and this belief can lead to the oppression of those below them. The rich have the power to buy and control the lives of the poor while the poor can take away what little the beggar has, highlighting the desperation and despair that can come from poverty.
The chorus of the song, "Don't cry my brothers, Don't cry my sisters/Tears won't change the situation/It's just a form, a form of reaction," suggests that crying and sadness won't change the situation and that action must be taken instead. The following lines about standing up strong and knowing where one belongs serve as a call to action, implying that it's up to individuals to create change in their lives and society as a whole.
The second verse of "Richman Poorman" offers hope for the future. The phrase "everything will soon be okay/As soon as the war is over" speaks to the idea that conflict and division within society will eventually be resolved. The line "Jah children will be free to come over" implies a utopian society where everyone is equal and free to live their lives without fear or oppression. The repetition of "have some faith" reinforces the idea that change is possible and that individuals must hold on to hope and faith for a better future.
Overall, "Richman Poorman" is a moving commentary on the struggles and complexities of society, offering a message of hope and resilience for those experiencing hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
The rich man poor man beggar man thief
People from all walks of life with different backgrounds.
Everyone claim that them are the chief
Every individual feels like they are the leader.
The rich man buy the poor man's life
Rich people control the lives of poor people by dictating the terms.
The poor man take away the beggar man's wife
Poor people do unethical things like adultery to satisfy their needs.
Don't cry my brothers
Do not despair, my fellow men.
Don't cry my sisters
Do not despair, my fellow women.
Tears won't change the situation
Crying will not help to solve the problem.
It's just a form, a form of reaction
Crying is a natural reaction to emotional stress.
If you step on fire, fire burn you
There are consequences to every action.
If you play with puppy, puppy lick your mouth
If you are kind to animals, they will reciprocate that kindness.
So stand up strong, you got to know where you belong,
Be confident and know your place in this world.
Say the weak ones now will soon become strong
Weak people now will become stronger in the future.
Hey, everything will soon be okay
Do not worry, everything will turn out fine.
As soon as the war is over
When conflicts end.
Jah children will be free to come over
People will be able to move around freely.
Singing and dancing ready to take over
People will enjoy their newfound freedom.
Have some faith, have a little faith
Believe and be optimistic about the future.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@BacoMusicYT
Breaking News, Clinton Fearon new album available : https://Baco.lnk.to/BreakingNews
@ricardoogand2839
💚💛❤💯
@FabriceSENECAT
@@ricardoogand2839 ûjj uuujtyuoijioilikjul999j8ukkjy99t9k
@ciceroroberto2606
@@ricardoogand2839a
Pp00
@JulioCesargomesSantosGom-so1le
a1y
@joaopaulomedeiros7611
Cantos das Tribos Fortaleza -Ce. Nunca me esqueci essa lenda cantando pelo nosso Ceará! Sou grato por essa música ter corrido por toda minha adolescência, é um privilégio muito grande.
@leilisantos1097
Eitaaaa, pense em uma lembrança boa💃❤
@luansousa4063
O careca ai guitarrista ama oq faz slc, o cara manda muito! 👏🏻
@felipetiburtius7575
Reggae bom demais. Tô na Bahia só curtindo.
@gutofarias3179
Meu Deus, como faço pra contratar?