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.
Rude Boy Train
Desmond Dekker & The Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rude boy train is comin' now
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
The rude boy boat is comin' now
The rude boy boat is comin' now
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
The rude boy plane is comin' now
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
Rude boy get up a circuit chart
Rude boy get up a circuit chart
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
Rude boy a loot an' a shoot an' a wail
Rude boy a loot an' a shoot an' a wail
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
Double oh seven is back on the scene
Double oh seven is back on the scene
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
Desmond Dekker's song "Rude Boy Train" is a joyous celebration of the Jamaican "rude boy" culture of the 1960s. The lyrics describe the arrival of the "rude boy train" by various modes of transportation, including boat and plane. The exclamation of "dippy dippy dooey" adds a sense of excited anticipation to the arrival of this subculture.
The lyrics also encourage the "rude boy" to have a "circuit chart," which was a type of plan used by Jamaican gangsters to map out their robberies and heists. The line "rude boy a loot an' a shoot an' a wail" reinforces the idea that these individuals were involved in criminal activity.
The mention of "Double oh seven" is a reference to James Bond, a cultural icon of the 1960s. This line emphasizes the connection between the "rude boy" culture and the glamorous world of spies and espionage.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the "rude boy" subculture, which was largely associated with poverty and disenfranchisement in Jamaica. While the lyrics mention criminal activity, the upbeat and joyful tone of the music suggests a sense of pride and rebellion among those who identified as "rude boys."
Line by Line Meaning
The rude boy train is comin' now
The group of young rebels is approaching now
Dippy dippy dooey - dippy dippy dooey
Refrain with no significant meaning
The rude boy boat is comin' now
The group of young rebels is approaching now (variation)
The rude boy plane is comin' now
The group of young rebels is approaching now (variation)
Rude boy get up a circuit chart
Rebel, make a plan before taking action
Rude boy a loot an' a shoot an' a wail
The rebel is ready to steal, fight, and cry for their cause
Double oh seven is back on the scene
A reference to James Bond, implying that someone skilled and cunning is present
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leostreat3573
They had this on the juke box in the pub I mis spent my youth in !! Shooting pool instead of hitting the books 🤣 . That's why I'm now a gardener . Good times
@SunnieDae1
Nothing wrong with gardening 😆
@denizdilmen8531
AZdan geldim derdâ ve esrarkeş jameikalılar rude boy train is coming downn
@paultiger9985
memories from my childhood - Desmond beats
@mamac8219
Love this Song, one of my favorite group singers. ❤
@mdillard473
If you don't get this in 2021 you never will
@alexanderroberts3855
oh snap, 007 is back on the scene!
@Paul5520
2.19 well spent👍
@lindakerkhove8233
I love it
@marcnoetinger152
Beaux souvenirs... rudie can't fail !...