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.
Rocky Road
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a humpy dumpy bumpy rocky road
Rain or sunshine on life's rocky road
It's a humpy dumpy bumpy rocky road
Rich and poor on the same road together
Weak or strong we're swimming the same waters
Oh mighty redeemer bless my soul
Oh kind master bless my soul
Give I the courage to carry on
Trodding night and day on life's rocky road
It's a gusty dusty rusty rocky road
Rain or sunshine on life's rocky road
It's a ugly funky scary rocky road
It's a hard road to travel
And a very long way to go
I'm willing and I'm able
Where Jah leads me I will follow (chorus)
All I've got is my dreams
All I've got is my dreams
And one day they'll come through
Say we trodding night and day
On life's rocky road
Rocky rocky road on and on and on we go
On and on and on and on we go
In Clinton Fearon's song Rocky Road, the lyrics describe the tough journey of life as a rocky road full of bumps, twists, and turns. The song talks about how everyone, regardless of their social status or strength, faces the same challenges on this road. It also acknowledges the power of a higher being, asking for blessings and strength to keep going.
The first verse of the song establishes the broad theme of the song, describing the rough and unpredictable nature of life. It's a constant back and forth between good and bad times, symbolized by the dichotomy of rain and sunshine. The use of "humpy dumpy bumpy" and "gusty dusty rusty" in the lyrics further emphasize the arduous journey.
The second verse then shifts focus to the idea that even though we are on the same rocky road, we all face different struggles. The song suggests that, despite the differences, a higher power can provide the strength and courage needed to carry on. The chorus reinforces this idea with the repetition of "trodding night and day on life's rocky road," emphasizing the idea that the journey is constant but there is always hope for a better destination.
Overall, Rocky Road is a powerful message about the difficulties of life and the importance of perseverance. It's a reminder that everyone faces challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Through faith and determination, we can overcome obstacles and find fulfillment in our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Trodding night and day on life's rocky road
Walking and moving forward night and day on the unpredictable journey of life
It's a humpy dumpy bumpy rocky road
It is an unstable and unpredictable journey with many ups and downs
Rain or sunshine on life's rocky road
No matter the circumstances, the journey of life remains unpredictable
Rich and poor on the same road together
People from different socio-economic backgrounds share the same unpredictable journey of life
Weak or strong we're swimming the same waters
Regardless of one's strength, everyone navigates the same unpredictable journey of life
Oh mighty redeemer bless my soul
Asking a divine power to grant the strength to navigate through the unpredictable journey of life
Give I the strength to carry on
Requesting for the divine power to grant them the strength to keep on moving forward through the unpredictable journey of life
Oh kind master bless my soul
Asking for divine guidance and protection on their journey through life
Give I the courage to carry on
Requesting for the divine power to grant them the bravery to keep on moving through the unpredictable journey of life
It's a gusty dusty rusty rocky road
The journey of life can be harsh and challenging with many obstacles along the way
It's a ugly funky scary rocky road
The journey of life can be unpleasant with many frightening and disappointing experiences
It's a hard road to travel
The journey of life can be extremely difficult and challenging to navigate
And a very long way to go
The journey through life is long and uncertain
I'm willing and I'm able
I am ready and capable of facing the journey of life
Where Jah leads me I will follow
I will follow the path that my divine creator has laid out for me in the journey of life
All I've got is my dreams
The only thing I possess in this journey of life are my aspirations
And one day they'll come through
Someday, my aspirations in life will come to fruition
Say we trodding night and day
Reiterating the fact that we are constantly moving forward through the unpredictable journey of life
Rocky rocky road on and on and on we go
Emphasizing the continuous and unpredictable nature of life's journey
Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.