He started out in the mid-1980s deejaying on various sound systems and even recording the occasional track under the moniker "Little Bimbo". By the first part of the 90s, his locks had grown out and he went from deejay to singer, changing his name to Garnett Silk.
Silk was born Garnett Daymon Smith (2 April, 1966) in the Brumalia district of Mandeville, Jamaica. He was taken under the wing of Rasta deejay Tony Rebel and introduced to Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system, which had a hand in recruiting many young acts who later became international stars.
Along with Rebel, Silk reintroduced Rastafarianism into a dancehall scene which by 1992 had become nearly overwrought with X-rated and violent lyrics. He burst on the scene recording many hit tunes and albums, including "Nothing Can Divide Us", "It's Growing" and "100% Silk".
Tragically a fire at his mother's house on 9 December 1994 killed both Garnett and his mother (with Garnett first escaping then giving up his own life trying to save his mother's). The Jamaican reggae scene was shocked by his death and it is a testament to his talent and his amazing voice that his music is still selling worldwide today, possibly stronger now than it did before his untimely demise.
Born Free
Garnett Silk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She'd help us say our prayers every night
She was always there to help us through the hard times
We could count on her to make everything alright
I remember swingin' on the front porch
Papa said there's somethin' I need to say tonight
Mama's been sick for a long time
[Chorus]
Mama don't wanna say goodbye
She said wipe those tears from your eyes
Mama I don't wanna say goodbye
It was written in the heavens and the skies above
Son I gave you birth showed you all my love
I can't think of this life without you it's hard to try
Mama I'm afraid to say goodbye
Now kids I've been hangin' on a long time
I hate to leave this world before your grown
Remember everything that I've taught you
Remember all the good times when I'm gone
[Chorus]
She whispered in my ear before she passed away
Son it's time to be a man ain't nothin' left to say
Jesus walked on water I know it's true
When it comes time he'll call you home
I hope your ready too
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Garnett Silk's song Born Free revolve around a mother figure who has been a constant support system to her children. Despite facing hardships, such as her illness, the mother remains the backbone of the family ensuring that everything turns out alright. The song's chorus reveals a heart-wrenching moment between the mother and her children as she feels her end is near. She urges them not to cry or be afraid of the inevitable but to remember her teachings and the good times they shared. The song concludes with the mother passing away, and speaking her last words to her son telling him to be a man and be prepared for the Lord's call.
The song Born Free is a tribute to mothers everywhere and their unconditional love for their children. It highlights the essential role they play in their children's lives, from nurturing them as infants to instilling values and providing support through life's hardships. The lyrics remind us that we should always appreciate and cherish our mothers while they are with us.
Line by Line Meaning
She'd wake us up early every mornin'
Our mother would wake us up early every morning
She'd help us say our prayers every night
Our mother would help us say our prayers every night
She was always there to help us through the hard times
Our mother was always there to help us through difficult times
We could count on her to make everything alright
We could always rely on her to make everything okay
I remember swingin' on the front porch
I have a memory of swinging on the front porch
Papa said there's somethin' I need to say tonight
Our father said he needed to tell us something that night
Mama's been sick for a long time
Our mother had been ill for a long time
Let's pray to god she can make it through the night
Our father suggested that we pray for our mother to make it through the night
Mama don't wanna say goodbye
Our mother did not want to say goodbye
She said wipe those tears from your eyes
She told us to stop crying
Mama I don't wanna say goodbye
We did not want to say goodbye to our mother
It was written in the heavens and the skies above
It was predetermined by a higher power
Son I gave you birth showed you all my love
Our mother gave birth to us and showed us all her love
I can't think of this life without you it's hard to try
Our mother found it hard to imagine life without us
Mama I'm afraid to say goodbye
We were afraid to say goodbye to our mother
Now kids I've been hangin' on a long time
Our mother had been holding on for a long time
I hate to leave this world before your grown
Our mother did not want to leave this world before we were grown
Remember everything that I've taught you
Our mother asked us to remember everything she had taught us
Remember all the good times when I'm gone
She asked us to remember all the good times we had when she was no longer around
She whispered in my ear before she passed away
Before our mother passed away, she whispered in my ear
Son it's time to be a man ain't nothin' left to say
Our mother told me it was time to be a man and there was nothing left to say
Jesus walked on water I know it's true
Our mother believed that Jesus walked on water and wanted to express that to us before she passed away
When it comes time he'll call you home
She believed that when it was our time, we would be called home by Jesus
I hope your ready too
She hoped we were ready as well
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD N. VAN ZANT, EDWARD C. KING, GARY ROSSINGTON, JOHNNY ROY VAN ZANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@psyrobi4723
Garnet with his operatic voice. There hasn't been anything like you since you stepped away. You left a huge void, that simply can't be filled. Live forever Prophet/King.
@jeromepowell6830
He is the greatest reggae singer of all time. You are truly a legend.
@kofi8453
Jah know
@jaheyes1
now you are free brother garnet... one of the greatest losses in reggae music...LIVE FOREVER!!!!RASTAFARI
@durranwebb3723
One of the greatest lost period
@lynnjones4291
🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🔥🔥🔥🔥
@bhops121
True inspiration....
@cutebwoy25
Bless up garnet rip
@dannjuma1840
PURE honey 🐝
@godfreyking2769
Lift me up Garnett silk rip tune