Before the ascent of Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker was the best-known Jamaican musician outside of his country, and one of the most popular within it. He was orphaned as a teenager. Dekker began working as a welder, singing around his workplace while his coworkers encouraged him. In 1961, he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star. With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963, because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song. Dekker's "Honour Your Father and Mother" was to be that song.
It Mek
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think I never see you when you jump over de wall
You think I never see you when you accidentally fall
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
I check you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I dig you out and you're cool (cold), girl
Rock it to me, children
I told you once and I told you twice
Why, sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
I check you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I dig you out and you're cool (cold), girl
Rock it to me, children
I told you once and I told you twice
Why, sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
Aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh
The lyrics of "It Mek" by Desmond Dekker & The Aces talk about someone who is being watched and caught doing things they think are going unnoticed. Though they may try to hide their actions, the persona in the song declares that "a it mek," which means "it makes you" in Jamaican patois. In other words, their actions will catch up to them and have consequences. The chorus repeats this phrase in celebration of the fact that eventually, these actions will catch up with the person in question.
The second verse uses a metaphor regarding a nanny goat, which in Jamaican folk culture, is associated with someone who is reckless and foolish. The persona warns that those who act like a nanny goat and run recklessly will only end up causing themselves harm. The repetition of the chorus highlights the celebratory nature of the song, as if the persona knows that they will eventually see justice served.
Overall, the lyrics of "It Mek" warn against dishonesty and recklessness, suggesting that actions eventually catch up with individuals. The metaphor of the nanny goat adds to this message, as it serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of foolishness.
Line by Line Meaning
You think I never see you when you jump over de wall
You assume that I am unable to see you when you hop over the wall
You think I never see you when you accidentally fall
You presume that I am unaware of your existence when you mistakenly trip and fall
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
I say that it's the cause (it mek) of your expression of anger and resentment (popping your bitter gall)
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
Itβs the reason (it mek) behind your accidental stumble to the ground
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
Itβs the root cause (it mek) behind the woman's desperate plea for water
I check you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I observe you and conclude that you are composed or indifferent, girl
I dig you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I unearth your secrets or thoughts and find that you are composed, girl
Rock it to me, children
Deliver the music to me, youngsters
I told you once and I told you twice
I have already warned you multiple times
Why, sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good
The cause for the nanny goat's sprint and its feeling of satisfaction in its stomach
Aaaaahh, aaaaahh
Interjection of vocalization to express excitement or enthusiasm
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER, LESLIE KONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Victor-nw3ge
Aaaahhhh
You think I never see you when you jump over de wall
You think I never see you when you accidentally fall
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
Aaaahh, aaaaahh
I check you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I dig you out and you're cool (cold), girl
Rock it to me, children
I told you once and I told you twice
Why, sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
I check you out and you're cool (cold), girl
I dig you out and you're cool (cold), girl
Rock it to me, children
I told you once and I told you twice
Why, sweet nanny goat a go run him belly good
Me said a it mek, mek you pop your bitter gall
A it mek, while you accidentally fall
A it mek, hear she crying out for ice water
Aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh, aaaaahh
@roogalater
One of the most beautiful, boss reggae tracks that ever existed. Should be played with the bass up.
@glibbis
Not really any way to play it without the bass up.
@roogalater
@@glibbis Well, a mobile phone definitely doesn't do it justice. Not without earbuds, anyway.
@jenniferlewis4369
Misseh ah hit mek! Brings back so many memories for me. I recall my dad saying he came from the same parish as Desmond. This is reggae at its best. Anyone who can listen to this and resist the urge to start dancing needs therapy!
@chipperjack8914
Wind it up my lovely :)
@honiideslysses12
This music causes lots of problems for me: I bob my head, I shuffle my feet, I flail my arms, all sorts of herky jerky movements and I sing along! I would ask for an intervention, but put another record on and we'll see if my two left feet will cooperate.
@jenniferlewis4369
@@honiideslysses12 Just keep on bobbing, shuffling, and flailing. Let your body do whatever the hell it wants. Noone's watching. Be free. Enjoy the groove. Have fun!π
@philrhodes5298
I remember sitting on stone wall in Manchester in the lates 60s listening to reggae music coming from a Jamaican house party, this is where my love of reggae came from. Still love it now aged 66!
@oludotunjohnshowemimo434
This is proper Trojan Reggae music.
RIP Desmond Dekker, didn't know he lived near me in Thornton Heath before he passed away.
@Timemachine74
Why canβt people make music like this anymore