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!
King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
David Rodigan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the two sevens clash
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say
"St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston is gonna read"
And I can see with mine own eyes
Wat a liiv an bambaie, it dread
When the two sevens clash
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Look up a cotton tree out by Ferry police station
How beautiful it used to be
And it has been destroyed by lightning,
Earthquake and thunder, I say, what?
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash - it dread
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
I take a ride sometimes
On Penn Overland and Bronx
And sometimes I ride on bus X-82, say what?
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Marcus Garvey was inside of Spanish Town district Prison
And when they were about to take him out
He prophesied and said
"As I have passed through this gate"
"No other prisoner shall enter and get through"
And so it is until now
The gate has been locked, so what?
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash, it dread
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash, it bitter, bitter, bitter
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash, a man a go feel it
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash, you better do right
The lyrics of David Rodigan's song "King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown" revolve around a concept known as "two sevens clash." This phrase has its roots in a Jamaican superstition that states that when two sevens clash (in terms of numerology), there will be chaos in the world. The song is infused with Rastafarianism, with the prophet Marcus Garvey being referenced in the lyrics. Garvey is known for his leadership and teachings within the Rastafarian movement.
The opening stanza of the song talks about the feeling of dread that is experienced when two sevens clash. This can be interpreted as a warning of the impending chaos that is inevitable due to the clashing of two opposing forces. The subsequent stanza speaks of the prophecy that Marcus Garvey made about the unification of two cities, St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston. The singer observes that these two cities are divided only by a housing scheme.
The third stanza depicts the destruction of a cotton tree located by Ferry police station. The tree, which was once beautiful, has been destroyed by lightning, earthquake, and thunder. This reference can be interpreted as a metaphor for the destruction that is caused by the clashing of opposing forces. The final stanza is a warning to listeners to do right and avoid the chaos that comes with the clash of opposing forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Wat a liiv an bambaie
Expresses amazement and wonder
When the two sevens clash
Refers to the belief that when two sevens align, it brings about chaos and destruction.
My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say
References Marcus Garvey's prophecies about the future of St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston.
"St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston is gonna read"
Marcus Garvey predicted that St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston would both be able to read in the future.
And I can see with mine own eyes
The artist sees with their own eyes that there is only a housing scheme dividing the two cities.
It's only a housing scheme that divide
The singer believes that the division between the two cities is only a mere housing scheme.
Look up a cotton tree out by Ferry police station
The singer looks up a cotton tree near Ferry police station.
How beautiful it used to be
The tree used to be beautiful in the past.
And it has been destroyed by lightning,
The tree has been destroyed by lightning.
Earthquake and thunder, I say, what?
The artist is questioning why the tree was destroyed by both an earthquake and thunder.
I take a ride sometimes
The singer takes a ride sometimes.
On Penn Overland and Bronx
The artist takes rides on the Penn Overland and the Bronx.
And sometimes I ride on bus X-82, say what?
The singer sometimes also rides on the X-82 bus and is asking for confirmation.
Marcus Garvey was inside of Spanish Town district Prison
Marcus Garvey was imprisoned in the Spanish Town district Prison.
And when they were about to take him out
When they were about to release him from prison.
He prophesied and said
Marcus Garvey made a prophecy.
"As I have passed through this gate"
Marcus Garvey believed that his passing through the prison gate was a significant event.
"No other prisoner shall enter and get through"
Marcus Garvey's prophecy was that no other prisoner would be able to enter and get through the gate.
And so it is until now
His prophecy has come true and the gate has been locked ever since.
When the two sevens clash - it dread
When the two sevens clash, it brings a sense of fear and foreboding.
When the two sevens clash, it bitter, bitter, bitter
When the two sevens clash, it leads to a bitter experience.
When the two sevens clash, a man a go feel it
When the two sevens clash, a person will feel the negative consequences.
When the two sevens clash, you better do right
When the two sevens clash, it's best to do the right thing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barry Quinnell
How good it is to have access to one of the finest radio obituaries ever recorded. I heard this on its night of broadcast, at that time I had no idea idea of how well musical history would assess the work of King Tubby, the dub master. “Nobody does dubs like Tubs”
Colten Colson
InstaBlaster
Blair Sadewitz
That's because the history hadn't happened yet. ;-) Only in retrospect is it possible to come to grips with the depth and scope of his influence.
Holginho
Osbourne Ruddock RIP. The Greatest Ever in Dub Music. Took this Show from Rodigan original on Tape. Repect on Dave und repect on you Bongo HiFi for Upload. Big Up, Holginho!!!
Kapeni Melesse
Remember listening and taping this whole set on this date in East London with my brother doing likewise on his radio. Cassette tape style. Press play and record at the same time style and pause at the adverts.
Tubby was big, a true master at his devine artform, serious understanding of soundwaves and the manipulation and power of sound inna Jamaican fashion. Paved the way blood!
Hats off to the original.
High flying symbols was his technique inna his studio temple.
Real culture you know!
Stan Dieks
yes.. so epic. I remembering listening to this very show live on the radio, in disbelief that Tubs had died. We must never ever lose these recordings of any of Rodigan's 80's shows. These must be preserved for those that come after us.. Thanks to the uploader! ..and ..who are those 8 people giving a thumbs down? And why?
John J. King, Jr.
Never been to Jamaica. This man sound blew my fucking mind as kid. Fourth eight years later not too much has changed.
R3ST1NP1SS
Thank you for uploading this. love the legend king tubby's music may he rest in paradise. mad respect to Rodigan.. peace love bless
Malcolm Baker
Blessed his works for all of our lives.
Am
the real ting by the King...Bless and still rocking it!