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 Pays
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It pays, it pays
Every man, every woman
Every boy, every girl
Been this way down
To do good
I wish you
In the morning you leave your home
And now it's time to go back home
Is what I heard early this morning
Without even getting a warning
It pays, it pays
Every man, every woman
Every boy, every girl
Been this way down
To do good
I wish you try to do good
I wish you
In the morning you leave your home
And now it's time to go back home
Is what I heard early this morning
Without even getting a warning
It pays, it pays
Every man, every woman
Every boy, every girl
Been this way down
To do good
I wish you try to do good
I wish you
The song It Pays by Desmond Dekker & The Aces is a simple yet powerful message about the importance of doing good in the world. The singer starts by addressing Lord and then goes on to emphasize that it pays off to do good deeds. The lyrics urge everyone, be it man or woman, boy or girl, to strive for goodness.
The song carries a universal message of positivity and morality that is still relevant today. The lines "In the morning you leave your home, and now it's time to go back home" refer to the daily routine of going to work or school and then returning home. The message behind this line is that the journey in between these two points should be filled with deeds of kindness, and it will ultimately benefit us in the long run.
The repetition of the line "It pays, it pays" emphasizes the importance of doing good and reinforces the belief that our actions have consequences, and ultimately, it's our decision to choose the path of righteousness. The song is a reminder that despite the everyday struggle and hustle, doing good is something that can never be underestimated.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord, it's you
Acknowledging and addressing the divine being
It pays, it pays
Doing good deeds comes with its own rewards and benefits
Every man, every woman
This principle applies to every person regardless of gender
Every boy, every girl
This principle applies to every person regardless of age
Been this way down
This has been the case for a long time
To do good
The action that brings about the rewards and benefits
I wish you try to do good
Encouraging others to act in a positive way
In the morning you leave your home
Starting a new day
And now it's time to go back home
The end of the day, when the work is done
Is what I heard early this morning
Recollecting a recent event
Without even getting a warning
Unexpectedly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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It pays, it pays
Every man, every woman
Every boy, every girl
Been this way down
To do good
I wish you try to do good
I wish you
In the morning you leave your home
And now it's time to go back home
Is what I heard early this morning
Without even getting a warning
It pays, it pays
Every man, every woman
Every boy, every girl
Been this way down
To do good
I wish you try to do good
I wish you
Ackee Eater
So nice listening to these DD&A tunes again and reading the favourable comments. Band leader and ace guitarist Lynn Taitt deserves a mention in each of these posts as he was the one who provided the sweet rocksteady back-up. RIP Des, and RIP Lynn.
Basil Marasco
Thanks for the info on Lynn Taitt. That is one slick lead guitar.
Foolish3art
Thank you, I couldn’t find mention of the band members anywhere on the album. This was released after two of the Aces members left. The following year, Desmond went on tour and the remaining Aces stayed to record their own stuff because they didn’t fly “Rastas did not fly on iron birds"
Tomtom P
Thanks very much for the music Desmond. God bless your soul. Mum and dad continue to sleep with God, and big thanks to you both for your music influence. 😘😘😘
lindsey lefrois
Great song! Great performance! Desmond was great!
lindsey lefrois
I will love this song forever and ever ........
Emily Lostaunau
one of his greatest songs. <3 Forever Desmond <3 <3 <3
lindsey lefrois
Thank you for this song, Desmond, wherever you are in time and space ....
MrPwmiles
What a pure spirit !
lindsey lefrois
I still love this song.