McGregor's career began at the age of seven. In 1963 he joined with Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin to form The Clarendonians, and began to record for the legendary Studio One label. Freddie worked with producer Niney The Observer during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
His popularity soared in the early 1980s with the release of "Bobby Bobylon". Other popular hits of Freddie's include "Big Ship", "Push Comes To Shove", "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" and "I Was Born A Winner"; as well as cover versions of many early reggae standards. He has also worked with producers Junjo Lawes, Linval Thompson and Gussie Clark. McGregor has also toured extensively for many years.
He established the Big Ship Recording Studio, and has produced many artists including Luciano and Mikey Spice. He is a member of the Twelve Tribes organization.
UK singles chart discography
* "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (1987) - Chart Number 9
* "That Girl (Groovy Situation)" (1987) - Chart Number 47
Bobby Babylon
Freddie McGregor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you wrong man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah-Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
You brought us down here in captivity
Turn your back on humanity
You got no love and no I-nity, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you shouldn't trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t touch the nyah-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
You took away our father's gold
Robbed them of their sevenfold
Now you're locked behind the door
Not knowing one day we would know the score, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I know your evil plan
You brought us down here in captivity
Feed us with your brutality
Turn your back on humanity
You got no love, no I-nity, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - shouldn′t touch the collie man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
You took away our father's gold
Robbed them of their sevenfold
Now you′re locked behind the door
Not knowing one day we whould know the score, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn't trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - shouldn′t touch the nyah-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - don't touch the collie-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - go away with your evil
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn't touch the nyah-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon you shouldn't touch the collie-man
The lyrics to Freddie McGregor's song "Bobby Babylon" convey a strong message of resistance against oppression and injustice. The song addresses an individual referred to as "Bobby Babylon," who represents the corrupt system or authority that has brought the people into captivity. The term "Babylon" is often used in reggae music to symbolize oppressive and unjust systems.
The opening lines, "Say, I know your evil plan, Mister Babylon," indicate a deep understanding of the oppressive actions of Bobby Babylon. The repetition of the phrase "Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you wrong man" emphasizes the wrongdoings and negative impact of this authority figure. The lyrics also highlight the consequences of their actions, suggesting that they are defying Jah (God) and interfering with his divine plan.
The verse "You took away our father's gold, robbed them of their sevenfold" points to the exploitation and theft experienced by the people under this system. The references to gold and sevenfold suggest the wealth and prosperity that has been unjustly taken away, leaving the people in a state of suffering and poverty. The song also suggests that despite their actions, the truth will eventually be revealed and justice will be served.
Overall, "Bobby Babylon" serves as a powerful anthem of resistance against oppression, calling out the wrongdoing and urging the authority figure to stop interfering with God's plan and to cease their evil actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, I know your evil plan, Mister Babylon
I am aware of your wicked intentions, Mister Babylon
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you wrong man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you are a bad person
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah-Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you should not interfere with Jah-Jah's plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - admit that you are wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
You brought us down here in captivity
You have enslaved us and brought us to this place
Feed us with your brutality
Subject us to your cruel treatment
Turn your back on humanity
Abandon compassion for your fellow human beings
You got no love and no I-nity, man
You lack love and spiritual oneness, man
You took away our father's gold
You stole our ancestors' wealth
Robbed them of their sevenfold
Deprived them of their rightful riches
Now you're locked behind the door
Now you are confined and trapped
Not knowing one day we would know the score, man
Unaware that one day we would understand the truth, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I say that you are wrong, man
You took away our father's gold
You stole our ancestors' wealth
Robbed them of their sevenfold
Deprived them of their rightful riches
Now you′re locked behind the door
Now you are confined and trapped
Not knowing one day we whould know the score, man
Unaware that one day we would understand the truth, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I say that you are wrong, man
You brought us down here in captivity
You have enslaved us and brought us to this place
Feed us with your brutality
Subject us to your cruel treatment
Turn your back on humanity
Abandon compassion for your fellow human beings
You got no love, no I-nity, man
You lack love and spiritual oneness, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - admit that you are wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you should not interfere with Jah Jah's plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - shouldn′t touch the collie man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - should not harm the Rastafarian
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I say that you are wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you should not interfere with Jah Jah's plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - shouldn′t touch the nyah-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - should not harm the Rastafarian
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - don't touch the collie-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - do not harm the Rastafarian
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I say that you are wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t trouble Jah Jah plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you should not interfere with Jah Jah's plan
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - go away with your evil
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - leave with your wickedness
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - me say you wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - I say that you are wrong, man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - you shouldn′t touch the nyah-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - should not harm the Rastafarian
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon you shouldn't touch the collie-man
Bobby, Bobby, Babylon - should not harm the Rastafarian
Writer(s): Clement Seymour Dodd, Frederick Alphonso Mcgregor
Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ruthdixon7807
despite his later success, mcgregor never really topped his early studio one hits.
@56postoffice
That "Hi Fashion Dub" has to be one of the most famous Studio One dubs of all time. Innumerable sound systems have used it to ride over, for dubplates. Legendary.
@007Thebwoy
So true this is why I love this killer riddim.
@AuthenticSelector64
The Riddim Reggae DJs like to ride the most
@007Thebwoy
True true😀
@markrichardson8941
I first heard this on " Scarface the world is yours" . That playstation game had a dope soundtrack. I used to turn in on just to listen to Freddie McGregor and there was a couple peter tosh songs on there to . No bob Marley' tho .
@dfunx13
Same here my brother in this beautiful gem of I found some really good music. Mad love
@_Chief__
There’s 1 bob marley song it’s titled “400 years”
@colinmoyston7463
Baddest rhythm ever out of studio 1...sound dimension band.............
@robertweston1515
Massive record 🙏❤