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.
Words Of 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
In the song "Words of Wisdom" by Dennis Brown, the singer highlights the importance of listening to the teachings of Jehovah and living a righteous life. He speaks of wisdom and knowledge that have been passed down through the ages, and implores the listener to take heed of these teachings or risk failure. The lyrics use metaphorical language, such as "open my mouth in a parable" and "sing the dark sayings of old," which evoke a sense of ancient wisdom and mystery.
The song also touches on the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, with lines like "In laughter, the heart is sorrowful" and "Your folly is your reward." Brown warns that true happiness lies in love and righteousness, not in material wealth or fleeting pleasures. The lyrics end with a call to action for the listener to live upright and follow the path of righteousness.
Line by Line Meaning
Woooooah! Woah yeah nah.
I am about to share wise words with you.
I will open my mouth in a parable, and sing the dark sayings of old.
I will offer wise teachings through stories and ancient proverbs.
And much wisdom and knowledge stretch forth their hands,
Wisdom and knowledge are available to you.
Unto you, o children, I cry.
I am pleading with you to pay attention to my words.
All the words of my mouth speak righteousness,
Everything I say is morally right.
All the days of my life will tell.
I will live according to these wise teachings for the rest of my life.
Take heed of the words of Jehovah, or men you will surely fail!
Listen to the divine teachings or you will suffer the consequences.
In laughter the heart is sorrowful
Superficial happiness can mask inner pain.
Your folly is your reward.
Your foolish choices will lead to negative outcomes.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than feasting where there is wrath.
A simple meal with those you love is better than extravagance with people who bring anger.
So take heed Jah-people, and live upright, for this is the time that will tell.
Pay attention and live righteously because this is the moment to prove yourself.
When the righteous ones shall stand up strong,
When righteous people assert themselves,
Oh why did the heathen rage?
Why do people who reject moral teachings become angry?
So I will open my mouth in a parable, and sing the dark sayings of old.
I will continue to share wise teachings through stories and ancient proverbs.
Live up, live up, now now, live up! Never give up righteousness!
Be righteous, always!
Oh yeah now, keep it up, son, follow the footsteps of your father!
Keep being righteous and follow in the steps of wise predecessors.
Words of wisdom, words of wisdom, words of wisdom I hold to.
I believe in and treasure wise teachings.
I said I hold to. Oooo
I am emphasizing that I truly believe in wise teachings.
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: CHRISTOPHER C. CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edmarques Costa
Dennis Brown - Words Of Wisdom
This lyric contains biblical references.
Woo-oo-oo.. woah-yeah now
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 Jahovah
Or men you will surely fail, ooh-ooh
Woah yeah yeah nah-nah, oh yeah
Ooh, woahohoh yeah
In laughter the heart is sorrowful
Your folly is your reward
Better 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 Jahovah
Or men you will surely fail
Woah yeah now, now
Woah-oh-oh yeah! Ooh-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 Jahovah
Or men you will surely fail
Woah yeah now, hmm, oh yeah, said you will surely fail
Oh yeah now, hmm, 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 Jahovah
Or men you will surely fail
Ooh hmm, oh yeah now, hmm, ooh, hmm
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, now, now
Words of wisdom, words of wisdom
Words of wisdom I hold to
I said I hold to, ooh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah..
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Gilson Santos
Um dus que fez parte da minha vida com essa música,
Dennis Brown,barril total essa música 💪🏽🇧🇷👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
cristian saigg
Dennis is blessed by god. Believe me. Just listen to his voice. I am chilean and i listen to him since 14 years old. And im 51.
Samuel Maenzanise
Nuff respect
Glériston Domingos Dos Santos Pereira
Atenção ! Nesta música o Dennis Brown canta com uma intencidade e emoção que consegue atravessar os nossos sentidos e pensamentos 🔥🤔 só quem é regueiro raiz e amante do reggae entende o que eu estou falando ✍️👏👏
The One
What a amazing song. Dennis did that
Chad
I keep "Words of Wisdom" & "Visions of Dennis Brown" on my turntables at all times. There's never a time I'm not in the mood for 77-83 D.E.B.! R.I.P.
Megan Donaldson
RIP Dennis Brown. These words of wisdom not to used as shares - Respect to all...
Steve Fuegner
RIP legend this man had only 1 lung you.would never know it by hearing him sing..
Anthony. Kuria
There will be other like D Brown .👌🏿
James Mwangi
True words of wisdom