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.
Wisdom
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will open my mouth in a parable, and sing the dark sayings of old.
And much wisdom and knowledge stretch forth their hands,
Unto you, o children, I cry.
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
All the days of my life will tell.
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail!
Ooooh, ooooh, woah yeah yeah nah nah, oh yeah. Ooooh, woahohoh yeah.
Your folly is your reward.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than feasting where there is wrath.
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
All the days of my life will tell.
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail! Woah yeah now now.... Woah... yeah!! Oooohhh ooh yeah.... oh yeah now:
So take heed Jah-people, and live upright, for this is the time that will tell.
When the righteous ones shall stand up strong,
Oh why did the heathen rage?
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
All the days of my life will tell!
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail!
Woah yeah now... mmmmm.. Oh yeah, said you will surely fail! Oh yeah now... mmmm.. Oh yeah now..
So I will open my mouth in a parable, and sing the dark sayings of old.
So much wisdom and knowledge stretch forth their hands,
Unto you, o children, I cry!
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
All the days of my life will tell!
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail!
Ooooh mmmmm. Oh yeah now mmmmm. Oooooooh mmmmmmmm. Woah yeah now now,
Live up, live up, now now, live up! Never give up righteousness! Oh yeah now, keep it up, son, follow the footsteps of your father! Oh yeah nah now. Words of wisdom, words of wisdom, words of wisdom I hold to. I said I hold to. Oooo
The lyrics of Dennis Brown's song “Wisdom” is a powerful message about the importance of righteousness, wisdom, knowledge and heeding the words of Jehovah. The song starts with the singer stating that he will open his mouth to speak a parable and the dark sayings of the old, imparting knowledge and wisdom to the listener. He then urges the listener to take heed of the words of Jehovah, or they will surely fail. This quote emphasizes how important it is to follow the paths of righteousness and not give in to temptation.
The lyrics also mentions that laughter can hide a sorrowful heart and that folly is your reward. This is a warning that being foolish in one's actions will only lead to negative consequences, hence it's necessary to be wise and to be careful of one's actions. The song then speaks about the importance of love, saying that a dinner of herbs with love is better than feasting where there is wrath. This emphasizes the importance of love and how it can keep people happy even in adverse conditions.
In the end, the singers urge the listener to heed the words of Jehovah and live uprightly. It points out that this is the time when righteous people will stand up and the heathen will rage. It's a message about the power of righteousness and the importance of following it in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Woooooah! Woah yeah nah.
Attention! I have something important to say.
I will open my mouth in a parable, and sing the dark sayings of old.
I will speak in metaphors and sing ancient wisdom.
And much wisdom and knowledge stretch forth their hands,
There is much knowledge available to those who seek it.
Unto you, o children, I cry.
I am calling out to you, my children.
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
Everything I say is truthful and just.
All the days of my life will tell.
My actions and choices throughout my life will speak volumes.
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail!
Listen to God's words, or you will fail.
In laughter the heart is sorrowful
Sometimes laughing on the outside can cover up sadness inside.
Your folly is your reward.
Your foolishness will be your downfall.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than feasting where there is wrath.
Having a simple meal shared with love is better than a fancy meal with anger or resentment.
So take heed Jah-people, and live upright, for this is the time that will tell.
Pay attention, people of God, and live righteously because your actions will have consequences.
When the righteous ones shall stand up strong, Oh why did the heathen rage?
When the righteous triumph, the wicked will be angry and confused.
Live up, live up, now now, live up! Never give up righteousness!
Keep living righteously, always hold onto your principles.
Oh yeah now, keep it up, son, follow the footsteps of your father! Oh yeah nah now.
Keep going, son, and follow your father's example.
Words of wisdom, words of wisdom, words of wisdom I hold to. I said I hold to.
I live my life by wise words and hold onto them tightly.
Contributed by Michael Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@richardedwards7492
The man says wisdom is found in the simplest of places. You have to be extremely brilliant to know this in the first place. Blessed love. Baseline is tsunamic! Jah know star.
@cassandrajenkins9319
Wicked bongo keyboards love everything about this tune
@kayvancooten4657
I know myself by Ernest Wilson riddim. ❤️🎶
@lionxwarrior3004
Oh dear Good Gosh!
Mr Dennis Emmanuel Brown killed it with Style!
Forward Musical Maestro 💥
Keep dropping the vinyl
Pure fire 🔥🔥🔥
@adaley5497
One Million✨🔥🙏🏼
@reginabelini8785
Oh! This Song .... straight to The Heart 🖤 .... how You are inspired Today!! ..... 😌...!
Give Thanks!
🌟Haile I Selassie I! 👑
Mother Menen The Empress 👑
Bless and Love!!
.........
🌟🙏🏽🌱🌻🌹✊🏽👑👑
@zmoek
Tune!
@basquecheetah5989
Badchune 🔊🔥
@daveymack7206
Rydim wise the great dennis brown vocal wise
@radsshand8784
GREAT VOCAL ,PRODUCTION PERFECT ,ENGINER ON POINT