Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). Around this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. He had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1977. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records, which produced several hits, including many by Junior Delgado.
His first big hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. His song "Revolution" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.
So Jah Say
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So Jah say
I must not let him down
I must not let him down
'Cause if I do
I'm gonna have to pay
If I do I'm gonna have to pay
No let him down
Let him down
So Jah say
I must not let him down
Let him down
No matter where you run
To for rescue this day
He's gonna find you anyway
So Jah say, no, no, no
No let him down
No let him down
To fear of the Lord
Is to hate evil
Pride and arrogancy, oh
And the evil way
So Jah say
I said the fear of the Lord
Is to hate evil
Pride and arrogancy, oh
And the evil way
So Jah say, no, no, no
No let him down
Let him down
Not one of his seed
Shall sit on the sidewalk and beg bread
There'll never be, there'll never be
Not one of his seed
Shall be a living dead
The lyrics of Dennis Brown's "So Jah Say" evoke a sense of urgency and responsibility to not disappoint Jah. The repetition of "I must not let him down" emphasizes the importance of keeping Jah's trust, as failing to do so comes with serious consequences. The upbeat reggae rhythm juxtaposes the serious tone of the lyrics, perhaps symbolizing the need to remain positive even in times of adversity. The lyric "No matter where you run, to for rescue this day, He's gonna find you anyway" suggests that even if one tries to escape responsibility or accountability, they will ultimately face their actions and their consequences.
The lyric "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, and arrogancy" reflects a recurring theme in Rastafarianism, which stresses the importance of a righteous lifestyle and standing against oppression and injustice. The mention of "Not one of his seed shall sit on the sidewalk and beg bread" reinforces the idea that those who remain true to Jah will not suffer poverty or disadvantage. The song as a whole reinforces the idea of accountability to a higher power and stresses the importance of virtuous living.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Yeh
Expressing affirmation or recognition of agreement.
So Jah say
This is what Jah said or what Jah commands.
I must not let him down
I have to avoid disappointing or disobeying Jah.
I'm gonna have to pay
I will suffer the consequences of not fulfilling Jah's command.
No let him down
I must not disappoint or disobey Jah.
No matter where you run
Regardless of where you go.
To for rescue this day
To seek help or assistance on this day.
He's gonna find you anyway
Jah will discover you no matter where you try to hide.
To fear of the Lord
To respect and revere Jah.
Is to hate evil
To despise and reject wickedness.
Pride and arrogancy, oh
The quality of being self-important and conceited.
And the evil way
Rejecting evil in all its forms.
Not one of his seed
None of Jah's offspring or children.
Shall sit on the sidewalk and beg bread
None of them will be so impoverished as to resort to begging on the streets.
There'll never be, there'll never be
A way of emphasizing that this will not happen.
Not one of his seed
None of Jah's children or descendants.
Shall be a living dead
None of them will be spiritually dead, empty or lifeless.
Contributed by Brayden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
la gabo
LYRICS
Woah yeah now,
Oh yeah, now, now,
Woah yeah..
So Jah say..
I must not let him down. (no let him down, no let him down)
So Jah say..
I must not let him down. (no let him down, no let him down)
'Cause if I do,
I'm gonna have to pay, (so Jah say)
If I do I'm gonna have to pay, (so Jah say)
So Jah say, no, no, no,
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
So Jah say..
No let him down, (no let him down, no let him down)
Let him down,
No matter where you run to,
For rescue this day,
He's gonna find you anyway.
(So Jah say) so Jah say, no, no, no,
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
So Jay say..
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
No, no, no.
Woah yeah now,
Oh yeah, now,
Oh now, now..
I said to fear the Lord, yes,
It is to hate evil. (so Jah say)
Pride and arrogance, (so Jah say) oh,
And the evil way. (so Jah say)
I said the fear of the Lord, yeah, (so Jah say)
Is to hate evil. (so Jah say)
Pride and arrogance, oh (so Jah say)
And the evil way. (so Jah say)
So Jah say, no, no, no, (so Jah say)
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
So Jay say..
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
'Cause if I do,
I'm gonna have to pay, (so Jah say)
If I do I'm gonna have to pay,
So Jah say, no, no, no,
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
Oh, yeah!
So Jay say..
No let him down, (no let him down) let him down. (no let him down)
Oh yeah.
Woah now..
That's why not one of his seed,
Shall sit on the sidewalk and beg bread, (so Jah say)
Oh no no..
Oh no no..
There'll never be, (so Jah say) there'll never be,
Not one of his seed, (so Jah say)
Shall be a living dead..
Leroy Hamilton
No matter how many times I play this track it hold some serious memories back then
Renan H. B.
Listen to this and FEEL THE POWER right from the fountain!!
Mozart Ribeiro
Saudades Ragee raiz dá Brasil 2000...
Anthony. Kuria
To fear the Lord is to hate evil, So Jah say!
Mzungu mrefu
Big words.
And a connected message: 'JAH got the handle Babylon got the blade. Don't try to pull it because you will need more than first aid.'
daddyteddy85
This tune is EPIC
Melonie Stewart
I am ten years old and I am listening to Dennis brown
Alain Sadun
Great to hear! Continue your conscious hearing with more roots music! BLESS
Sankofa Ashanti
My ghosh you carry on my young soldier may this tune open wider doors in your future stay bless.
Melonie Stewart
Thanks Daddy for exposed me to good music