Gentleman (⋆ as Tilmann Otto 1975 in Osnabrück, Germany) is a reggae musica… Read Full Bio ↴Gentleman (⋆ as Tilmann Otto 1975 in Osnabrück, Germany) is a reggae musican. Gentleman resides in Cologne, but sometimes names Jamaica as his home away from home. He became hooked on his brother’s reggae records and thus wanted to get to know Jamaica first-hand. He has been traveling to Jamaica regularly since he was 16, and the island has become a second home for him. Gentleman is also regarded as a popular reggae artist in Jamaica as well, which he regards as an honor, being a European.

In 1999, Gentleman released his first album Trodin on and in 2002, his 2nd longplayer Journey to Jah. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
2007: Another Intensity

His career began with the collaboration of the band Freundekreis which produced the song “Tabula Rasa.” After beginning his career as dancehall deejay , his music oriented to the classic form of the reggae, as it was between 1970 and 1985, with artists as Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Jacob Miller, Junior Murvin, Devon Irons, Burning Spear and Black Uhuru. He sings mainly in Jamaica Patois English. With songs like “Send A Prayer” Gentleman expresses his deep belief in God from an universal religious persepctive. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
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Gentleman is also an Indie(ish) band from Maryland. Members of The Summer We Went West, Dawn Treader, Monument, etc.

Be Yourself
Gentleman Lyrics

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You got to be yourself
And no one else
Yes you got to be yourself

Every man got intention
And every man got his own potential
A cool head is essential
Cause babylon will put on a sentece

You got what it takes
Inside, that's where your true self abides
Put on your brakes
Never hide, why you always living outside

[Chorus]
A no time deh
Fi go join dem
Jah rastafari say fi seek and you shall find then
No time deh
Fi we go join dem
You follow babylon you end up ina problem

Well nuff a dem out deh sell dem soul because of vanity
Me see dem a search but can not find fi dem identity
Cause their identity is coming from the nozzle of dem gun
But I and I identity is coming from the nyabingi drum

If a who you are
You think seh dad nuh good enough
Then you find the life seh outta road it well rough
And if a what you are
You think deh dad nuh good enough
Member fi go meditate in god you hafi trust

Left the devil works man a nuh you fi dad
Six foot under ground fi all who want to go pennie that
Tears I cry fi da one ya who want follow that
Children of the almighty god dem a no idiot

[Chorus]

Seh the time gets ruggy and the going gets steep
As you stand up as a soldier man you can't get weak
Your duty is to provide for the week
We trodding down Selassie-I-Street

Never get a weak when you back against the wall
You know seh kingdom rise and you know seh kingdom fall
Member how we push down the Jericho Wall
Listen to Jah words no badda sit down and a stall

If a who you are
You think seh dad nuh good enough
Then you find the life seh outta road it well rough
And if a what you are
You think deh dad nuh good enough
Member fi go meditate in god you hafi trust

[Chorus]

If a who you are
You think seh dad nuh good enough
Then you find the life seh outta road it well rough
And if a what you are

You think deh dad nuh good enough
Member fi go meditate in god you hafi trust

Overall Meaning

In the song "Be Yourself", Gentleman encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and not be influenced by external factors such as societal pressures or Babylonian culture. Gentleman emphasizes that every person has their own unique potential that they should cultivate and develop. He stresses the importance of having a calm and collected mindset to navigate through life's obstacles because getting caught up in Babylonian culture can lead to problems.

The chorus of the song calls on listeners not to be influenced by Babylonian culture, but to seek the truth and follow Jah Rastafari. Gentleman highlights the dangers of selling one's soul and losing one's identity in search of acceptance and recognition. He urges listeners to find their identity not in material goods or weapons, but in their spiritual connection with the Nyabingi drum and their faith in God.

The second verse emphasizes the importance of staying strong in difficult times, providing for oneself and others, and not letting oneself be weakened by external pressures. Gentleman references the biblical story of the Jews' conquest of the city of Jericho, suggesting that listening to Jah's words can lead to victory over obstacles.

Line by Line Meaning

You got to be yourself
It is important to be true to yourself

And no one else
Do not try to be someone you are not

Yes you got to be yourself
Emphasizing the importance of being authentic

Every man got intention
Everyone has a goal or purpose in life

And every man got his own potential
Everyone has the ability to achieve great things

A cool head is essential
Remaining calm and collected is necessary

Cause babylon will put on a sentece
The system may unfairly judge or punish you

You got what it takes
Believe in yourself and your abilities

Inside, that's where your true self abides
Your true self comes from within

Put on your brakes
Take a break and reflect on yourself

Never hide, why you always living outside
Do not hide who you really are

A no time deh
There is no time to waste

Fi go join dem
To join those who do not align with your values

Jah rastafari say fi seek and you shall find then
Follow your true path as it is destined for you

Well nuff a dem out deh sell dem soul because of vanity
Many people sacrifice their values for fleeting pleasures

Me see dem a search but can not find fi dem identity
They search for themselves but cannot find their true identity

Cause their identity is coming from the nozzle of dem gun
Their sense of self comes from violence and power

But I and I identity is coming from the nyabingi drum
The singer's identity comes from culture and heritage

If a who you are
If you do not know who you are

You think seh dad nuh good enough
If you think your background is not good enough

Then you find the life seh outta road it well rough
Life will be difficult if you do not accept yourself

And if a what you are
If you do not know what you are

You think deh dad nuh good enough
If you think your job or profession is not good enough

Member fi go meditate in god you hafi trust
You should meditate and trust in a higher power

Left the devil works man a nuh you fi dad
Do not give in to temptation and negative influences

Six foot under ground fi all who want to go pennie that
Those who follow a destructive path will end up dead

Tears I cry fi da one ya who want follow that
The singer feels sadness for those who choose a negative path

Children of the almighty god dem a no idiot
Those who follow a positive path are not foolish or unintelligent

Seh the time gets ruggy and the going gets steep
Life can be tough and challenging

As you stand up as a soldier man you can't get weak
One must remain strong in the face of adversity

Your duty is to provide for the week
It is important to help those who are weaker than you

We trodding down Selassie-I-Street
The artist is on a journey of spiritual growth

Never get a weak when you back against the wall
Do not give up when faced with obstacles

You know seh kingdom rise and you know seh kingdom fall
Everything has its ups and downs

Member how we push down the Jericho Wall
Reflect on past successes to find motivation

Listen to Jah words no badda sit down and a stall
Pay attention to spiritual guidance and continue to grow

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TILMANN OTTO, DALTON ANTHONY BROWNE, BENJAMIN MYERS, SHELDON(CALIBUD) STEWART, CALVIN SCOTT, MARTY WILDE, RONNIE SCOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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