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.
Licking Stick
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do not lick me with that
Mama, mama, mama
It licked too hot
I've got the flipping hiccups, mama
I've got the flipping hiccups, papa
Are you feeling sick
Papa, papa licked me
With the licking stick
I've got the flipping hiccups, mama
I've got the flipping hiccups, papa
Papa, papa, papa
Do not lick me with that
Mama, mama, mama
It licked too hot
I've got the flipping hiccups, mama
I've got the flipping hiccups, papa
Mama, mama, mama
I am feeling sick
Papa, papa licked me
With the licking stick
I've got the flipping hiccups, mama
I've got the flipping hiccups, papa
Mama, please tell daddy
Do not hit me with that
Mama, I'm feeling pain
I'm really, really feeling
Mama, help me tell my daddy
To help me, I can't stand it, I can't
No, I can't stand it
No, no, I can't
The lyrics of Desmond Dekker & The Aces's song "Licking Stick" appear to be from the perspective of a child who is being punished by their parents. The child is complaining about being hit with a "licking stick" by their father, and is asking their mother for help. The child also mentions having the "flipping hiccups," which could be a reference to being scared or anxious.
The use of the word "licking" in the song is likely a Caribbean slang term for hitting or spanking, which was a common form of discipline in many cultures at the time. The child's use of the word "flipping" instead of a more explicit curse word could be viewed as a reflection of their youth and innocence.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the potential abuse that can occur within families or as a humorous take on everyday family life. Regardless of interpretation, the lyrics highlight the power dynamics and struggles that can occur within family relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa, papa, papa
Child addressing their father
Do not lick me with that
Do not hit me with an object (presumably a switch or stick)
Mama, mama, mama
Child addressing their mother
It licked too hot
The object the father hit the child with was too hot
I've got the flipping hiccups, mama
Child has hiccups and is seeking comfort from their mother
I've got the flipping hiccups, papa
Child has hiccups and is seeking comfort from their father
Are you feeling sick
Child is concerned about their mother's wellbeing
Papa, papa licked me
Father hit the child with an object
With the licking stick
The object the father hit the child with was a stick
I am feeling sick
Child is feeling unwell
Mama, please tell daddy
Child is asking their mother to intervene on their behalf with their father
Do not hit me with that
Child does not want to be hit with the stick
Mama, I'm feeling pain
Child is in pain from being hit with the stick
I'm really, really feeling
Child cannot fully express how much pain they are in
Mama, help me tell my daddy
Child is again asking their mother to intervene with their father
To help me, I can't stand it, I can't
Child is in extreme pain and wants their father to stop hitting them
No, I can't stand it
Child is begging for the abuse to stop
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Selwood
I heard Desmond sing this at Luton Carnival several years ago and listened to the preamble before he sang. It is about child physical abuse on the one hand and still having respect for his father who meted out the discipline. It did him good in the long run.
Paula Jordan
What a song, beautiful, yet sad too, i saw him sing live at a working mans club, leicester, way bak, i was about 14, it was ram, & then sat with him outside, while he smoked a cig, what a star, rip mr dekker, that star will allways shine bright x thankyou for uploading x
Paula Jordan
;-)
Phillip Jones
One of my favorites! RIP Desmond Dekker
Nabby Clliford
Always respect Desmond .
NORMAN OSBORNE
MOST OF US CAN RELATE TO ""LICKING STICK"" SOMEHOW AND SOMEWHERE IT HAPPENED.....ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS FROM THE KING OF SKA.
Evan May
I'm a Desmond Dekker fan, thanks to the Bay Area punk rock band Rancid. I owe everything to Rancid and my bay area roots being exposed to such wonderful reggae and ska. REAL Reggae and SKA.
Jessie Blakey
childhood favourite!
MDH
The licking stick is used to inflict corporal punishment and DD talks about his father using it on him as a child.
Lawrence Njawe
Great Ska, release in 1980. Must have been out of time. Fine tune however!...