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.
Pickney Girl
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You steal it 'way, give it to your TV man
Come here, pickney gal, come here,
Where you think you're running to
I said to come here, girl, pickney gal, come here
How could you say that I'm not real
Look pon your face, it fayva turn cornmeal
Where you think you're running to
I said to come, come here, pickney gal, come here
How could you say I'm not speaking the truth
Look pon your gut, it fayva spoilt jackfruit
Come here, pickney gal, come here
Where you think you're running to
I said to come, come, come here girl, pickney gal, come here
Do, do, ha-ha, hai, ha-hai, hai
(Repeat 2nd and 3rd verse)
Come, come, come here babe, come here
Come here, lord, pickney gal, come here,
Where you think you're running to
Look, I said, come, come, come, come here, pickney gal, come here...
Desmond Dekker’s “Pickney Girl” is a song that seems to speak to a young woman who is on the run from something or someone. Throughout the song, the singer is pleading with this young woman to come back and face him, and he begins to cite examples of how he believes she is dishonest and not trustworthy.
The first verse talks about how the singer had put his money into a condens can -- likely a type of canning jar for preserving food -- only for the young woman to steal it and give it to her “TV man.” This suggests that she may be involved in some type of scam or criminal activity, and the singer is upset that she would betray his trust.
The second verse talks about how the young woman is denying the singer's accusations of being untruthful. However, he points out that her face and gut resemble cornmeal and spoiled jackfruit, respectively, and uses those visual examples to try and convince her to come back to him. The overall message is one of frustration, confusion, and a desire for resolution in this dysfunctional relationship.
Overall, “Pickney Girl” is a song that highlights the complexities of relationships and the lengths people will go to for love, even when it may not be the healthiest or most rational option.
Line by Line Meaning
I put my money into a condens can
I saved up my money and put it somewhere safe, like a piggy bank
You steal it 'way, give it to your TV man
You took my money and gave it to someone else, like a crook
Come here, pickney gal, come here,
Hey, young girl, come here, I want to talk to you
Where you think you're running to
Why are you trying to avoid me? What's the rush?
I said to come here, girl, pickney gal, come here
I told you to come here, young girl, please listen to me
How could you say that I'm not real
Why are you questioning my authenticity or existence?
Look pon your face, it fayva turn cornmeal
Your facial expression makes it seem like you don't believe me
How could you say I'm not speaking the truth
Why are you accusing me of lying?
Look pon your gut, it fayva spoilt jackfruit
Your gut reaction makes it seem like you think I'm lying
Do, do, ha-ha, hai, ha-hai, hai
Vocables that add energy and rhythm to the song but do not convey any meaning
Come, come, come here babe, come here
I'm asking you to come to me
Come here, lord, pickney gal, come here,
I'm calling you again, young girl, please come over here
Look, I said, come, come, come, come here, pickney gal, come here...
I'm emphasizing my request for you to come to me, I really want to talk to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikelock4247
Brings back memories of when I was a 14 year old skinhead.
@mildredmunozgutierrez6936
Que canción tan buena y ese ritmo tan especial del ska que hizo ese genio llamado desmond dekker me gustó desde que la escuché en 1970
@mikelock4247
Desmond Dekker's best song.
@amandashare1281
Love this song, I was 14 when this song was released and used to dance to it all the time with my friends, loved Desmond and still do!
@michaellock9618
I met Desmond Dekker in St George's Hall in Exeter back in 1985. He sang this one, very good for skanking to. Shame that he is gone now.
@normanosborne7367
I LIKE HOW HE TOOK FULL CONTROL OF THIS VINTAGE CLASSIC.....R.I.P DESMOND DEKKER.
@anibalzapatazapata564
Esta canción la escuché por primera vez, creo que en 1969, tenía 4 años, recuerdo que a mis hermanas mayores les gustaba y la bailaban. Hoy tengo 57 y la escuho con mucho amor. Me costó más de 20 años encontrarla, no sabía su nombre, hasta que el azar o quizas el deseo de oirla me llevo hasta élla.
@marielamorales5768
Hola anibal, a mi tambien me encanta esta cancion, y sabia que se llamaba "muchacha audaz",hasta que por fin la encontre,la bailaba bastante,en mi juventud,y hoy a mis 63 años,me sigue gustando, ja ja ja,saludos!!💃💃💃
@SoulStylistJukeBox
Memories of my mum playing this when I was a child
@leecrosbie1823
Sounds of my childhood too. My mum loves it too.