In 1983 Rodigan returned to Jamaica to do a series of broadcasts for Capita… Read Full Bio ↴In 1983 Rodigan returned to Jamaica to do a series of broadcasts for Capital. There he met Barry Gordon, a popular Jamaican radio DJ who invited him because he plays music, he doesn’t go into politics.”

Barry G is still amazed by Rodigan’s devotion to the history of reggae and his willingness to learn the history and origin of a song.“He makes it his duty to experience it; he has mastered it.

Jamaica, its people and its culture still elude and bemuse the most earnest of wannabes. David Rodigan is no wannabe. As far as Jamaicans are concerned, he’s not only on the inside, he’s ranking. Come down, selector!

Come Around
David Rodigan Lyrics

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A just the sweet, sweet sensi, yuh know
Yeh, I, yeh, I
Nah, nah, nah, nah, now

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade when me a look for me
Get it by the pound, yeah
Sweet sensi a come around

Me a take a little draw and pass it go round, so

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade where man a look for me
Stock it by the pound, yeah
When Babylon a come around
Ask them where them ago search for

Ever since the herbs slow down, police and rude boy
Dem inna showdown, them a search round the compound
Yuh kno, I'ma man a no weed clown
Find a little piece of land and I plant me home grown, so

Tell the youth them nah fit take pill
Too much crack and cocaine
A make the world a feel ill, yuh kno
Nuff ganja, nuff spliff a build
Only thing whe a make man feels chill, whe
(What?)
Me say

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade when me a look for me
Get it by the pound, yeah
When Collie Bud come around
A pure ganja man tune
Just a lick from the sound, yeah

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade what man a look for me
Stock it by the pound, yeah
When Babylon a come around
Ask them whe dem ago search for

There's nothing like the sweet, sweet sensi
The first time me take a draw was in elementary
Reach high school, get the herb it plenty
Like Scare Dem dub for Soul Jah One or Lenky, yeah

Me stash box never empty
The fifty dollar bag we call that half century
Me start me own herb documentary
Bermy man a call that film 4:20, yeah, whe me say

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade whe me a look for me
Get it by the pound, yeah
Sweet sensi a come around
Me a take a little draw and pass it go round, so

Finally the herbs come around
The high grade that man a look for me
Stock it by the pound, yeah
When Babylon a come around
Ask them whe dem ago search for

Nah, nah, nah, nah, now
Yeh, I, yeh, I
Nah, nah, now, yo

When dem ago realize?
Good works man a advertise
When dem a go legalize, yeh
The farmer man a beg a little bligh

When den ago realize?
Government them a terrorize
Corporation dem a capitalize
While the farmer man nuh beg a little bligh, ay, yo

Finally, the herbs come around
The high grade when me a look for me
Get it by the pound, yeah
When Collie Bud come around
A pure ganja man tune just a lick from the sound, yeah

Finally, the herbs come around
The high grade what man a look for me
Stock it by the pound, yeah
When Babylon a come around
Ask them whe dem ago search for?

Yeh, I, yeh, I, come around

Overall Meaning

In "Come Around," David Rodigan reveals his admiration and love for marijuana, or "herbs" as he calls it. In the first verse, he describes how he has been waiting for the herbs to come around, the high-grade quality that he is always in search of, which he stocks up by the pound. Rodigan then invites others to join in and take a little draw and pass it around. Throughout the song, he chants about the superior qualities of herbs compared to other drugs such as pills, crack, and cocaine, which only make the world sick. He encourages the youth to stay away from those drugs and instead embrace herbs, whose properties make people feel chill.

The second verse is more reflective, as Rodigan laments the fact that the consumption of herbs has decreased due to the increasing number of confrontations between the police and the rude boys. He advises that people should have a little piece of land where they can plant their homegrown herbs. In the third verse, he takes a trip down memory lane, describing how he first tasted the herbs in elementary school and later on in high school.

In the chorus, Rodigan continues to chant about the joy of finally having the herbs come around and encourages others to embrace its relaxing effects. The song takes a political turn in the fourth verse, as Rodigan addresses the issue of legalising marijuana, which he believes should happen as it would benefit the farmers who grow it. He expresses his disappointment with the government's oppression of farmers, while corporations profit from the incessant demand for marijuana.

Line by Line Meaning

A just the sweet, sweet sensi, yuh know
Referring to the sweet aroma of herbal cannabis that is enticing to the senses.

Finally the herbs come around
Expressing the relief of obtaining fresh cannabis after a shortage.

The high grade when me a look for me
Referring to the high-quality cannabis desired by the artist.

Get it by the pound, yeah
Obtaining large quantities of cannabis.

Sweet sensi a come around
Referring to the arrival of fresh, high-quality cannabis with a pleasant aroma.

Me a take a little draw and pass it go round, so
Sharing the cannabis with others by taking a draw and then passing it to the next person in rotation.

When Babylon a come around
Referring to law enforcement who may investigate and attempt to confiscate the cannabis.

Ask them where them ago search for
Questioning where law enforcement will look for the cannabis.

Ever since the herbs slow down, police and rude boy
Highlighting the increased scrutiny and competition for cannabis when there is a shortage.

Dem inna showdown, them a search round the compound
Describing how police and rude boys search for cannabis, often causing confrontations and disruptions at the location where it is grown or stored.

Yuh kno, I'ma man a no weed clown
Asserting that the artist is serious and knowledgeable about cannabis use and its culture.

Find a little piece of land and I plant me home grown, so
Planting his own cannabis crops to avoid dependence on external sources and to ensure quality and availability.

Tell the youth them nah fit take pill
Encouraging young people to avoid using drugs other than cannabis.

Too much crack and cocaine
Highlighting the negative effects of using crack and cocaine.

A make the world a feel ill, yuh kno
Expressing how drug abuse contributes to the negative state of the world.

Nuff ganja, nuff spliff a build
Describing the abundance of cannabis being smoked and rolled into spliffs.

Only thing whe a make man feels chill, whe
Asserting that cannabis is the only drug that can bring relaxation and calmness.

When Collie Bud come around
Referring to a type of cannabis called Collie Bud.

A pure ganja man tune
Describing a song that celebrates cannabis culture.

Just a lick from the sound, yeah
A reference to the sound system culture where a song is played and its popularity spread by its sound.

There's nothing like the sweet, sweet sensi
Highlighting the appeal and uniqueness of cannabis.

The first time me take a draw was in elementary
Recalling a memory of first experiencing cannabis use when the artist was young.

Reach high school, get the herb it plenty
Describing how cannabis use increased significantly during the artist's high school years.

Like Scare Dem dub for Soul Jah One or Lenky, yeah
Comparing cannabis use to the popularity of certain reggae dub artists among Jamaican youth in the past.

Me stash box never empty
Referring to the artist's large quantity of cannabis.

The fifty dollar bag we call that half century
Referring to the cost of a specific amount of cannabis in Jamaican currency.

Me start me own herb documentary
Creating and documenting information about cannabis and its culture.

Bermy man a call that film 4:20, yeah, whe me say
Naming the cannabis documentary '4:20' which is a term associated with cannabis use.

When dem ago realize?
Questioning when people and the government will recognize the benefits of cannabis.

Good works man a advertise
Promoting the positive social and economic effects of cannabis.

When dem a go legalize, yeh
Advocating for the legalization of cannabis.

The farmer man a beg a little bligh
Highlighting the struggles of cannabis farmers and their need for support.

Government them a terrorize
Highlighting the challenges and difficulties that cannabis farmers face due to government regulations and restrictions.

Corporation dem a capitalize
Highlighting the contrast between how large corporations can benefit from legalization and farmers who still struggle.

While the farmer man nuh beg a little bligh, ay, yo
Emphasizing the importance of supporting and uplifting cannabis farmers.

Nah, nah, nah, nah, now
Reiterating the sound heard throughout the song.

Yeh, I, yeh, I
Repetitive phrase used throughout the song that doesn't have a particular meaning, but is more of a vocal expression or signature.

Nah, nah, now, yo
Reiterating the sound heard throughout the song and adding a casual vocal expression at the end.

Come around
A repetitive phrase used throughout the song that refers to the arrival of fresh, high-quality cannabis.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HUGH BERESFORD HAMMOND, COLIN HARPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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