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.
Caan Hold Us Down
Gentleman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, a daddy rings Gentleman and Barrington Levy
We sit in Babylon a watch we round the clock
Wondering when we gonna launch and attack
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
You'll never see we wearing a frown
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
You'll never see we wearing a frown
I've been chanting jah powers from morning
Truths and rights I man keep performing
I hear the Babylon bell how it alarming
Dem see a righteous ghetto youth and ready fi swarm him
Dem shoulda overstand the power wha jah storm bring
When it blow the whole a dem hafi go calm king
Long time we did a issue 'bout the warning
We ago hold Lucifer and disarm him
I know jah will always be there
And I know he is everywhere
Without jah where would I be
And he is the one for me you see
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
Dem think we fool but we tell dem seh we not
Caan make no wulf come invade the flag
Nuh get caught ina no boobie trap
I and I royal natty dreadlock
Well as the sun shine and the wind blow
That's how I know that's how I know
I take a look through my window
That's how I know that's how I know
If you nuh know the truth yourself you are deceiving
Trumpet a sound
And I man is leaving
Higher ground that is where I am going
Too bless to stress can't stop me from growing
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
You'll never see we wearing a frown
I know jah will always be there
And I know he is everywhere
Without jah where would I be
And he is the one for me you see
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
No powers gonna hold us down
You'll never see we wearing a frown
No powers gonna hold us down
Not even dem pagan sound
In "Caan Hold Us Down," Gentleman and Barrington Levy sing about their determination to overcome obstacles and rise above any negativity. The lyrics begin with the two artists sitting in Babylon, feeling oppressed and wondering when they will be able to launch a counterattack. However, they refuse to be held down by anyone or anything. They declare that even the pagan sound (representing negativity or oppression) cannot bring them down and they will never show defeat by wearing a frown.
Gentleman continues his chant of Jah powers and asserts his commitment to truth and righteousness in the face of the alarms set off by Babylon. He states that he knows Jah will always be with him and without him, he would be lost. He and Barrington encourage others not to be deceived and to strive for higher ground, as they will not be held down by any powers, even those represented by pagan sound.
The song offers a message of resilience and determination to its listeners, encouraging them to stay strong in the face of adversity and not to give in to negativity. It also highlights the importance of faith and spirituality as sources of strength and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
This one is real
This song is authentic and honest
Yo, a daddy rings Gentleman and Barrington Levy
The singer is getting a call from two well-known musicians, Gentleman and Barrington Levy
We sit in Babylon a watch we round the clock
The singer and their companions are in a difficult situation, constantly monitoring their surroundings
Wondering when we gonna launch and attack
They are planning when to take action against their oppressors
No powers gonna hold us down
The artist and their companions are determined to not let anyone or anything stop them
Not even dem pagan sound
Even the oppressive forces and their propaganda won't succeed in breaking their will
You'll never see we wearing a frown
They will remain positive and determined despite the obstacles they face
I've been chanting jah powers from morning
The artist has been praying and invoking the powers of Jah (God) since morning
Truths and rights I man keep performing
The artist is staying true to their principles and values
I hear the Babylon bell how it alarming
The artist is conscious of the oppressive forces and their tactics
Dem see a righteous ghetto youth and ready fi swarm him
The oppressive forces are threatened by the singer and their community and are preparing to attack them
Dem shoulda overstand the power wha jah storm bring
The oppressive forces should realize the consequences of their actions when Jah unleashes his power
When it blow the whole a dem hafi go calm king
When Jah's power is unleashed, even the oppressive forces will have no choice but to submit
Long time we did a issue 'bout the warning
The singer and their community have long been aware of the danger posed by the oppressive forces
We ago hold Lucifer and disarm him
They will defeat the devil (symbolic of evil and oppression) and disarm his influence
I know jah will always be there
The artist trusts Jah to always be present and help them through their struggles
And I know he is everywhere
Jah's influence is felt everywhere, providing hope and strength for the artist
Without jah where would I be
The singer recognizes that without Jah's guidance and protection, they would be lost
And he is the one for me you see
Jah is the one who the singer has put their faith and trust in
Dem think we fool but we tell dem seh we not
The oppressive forces underestimate the artist and their community, but they are not to be fooled
Caan make no wulf come invade the flag
They will not allow any wolves (symbolic of the oppressive forces) to take over their territory
Nuh get caught ina no boobie trap
They will not fall for any traps set by the oppressive forces
I and I royal natty dreadlock
The singer identifies as a proud Rastafarian with dreadlocks (symbolic of their faith and identity)
Well as the sun shine and the wind blow
The artist is observing the elements of nature
That's how I know that's how I know
They are gaining insight and clarity from these observations
If you nuh know the truth yourself you are deceiving
The singer believes that people must seek the truth for themselves to avoid being deceived by others
Trumpet a sound
The sound of the trumpet is a symbol of warning and a call to action
And I man is leaving
The artist is ready to take action and leave their current situation behind
Higher ground that is where I am going
The artist is determined to reach a better, more elevated state of being
Too bless to stress can't stop me from growing
The singer is grateful for their blessings and will not let stress or obstacles prevent them from progressing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TILMANN OTTO, EVEROLD DWYER, BARRINGTON AINSWORTH LEVY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisafleming9458
Just chilling and listening to Gentleman. Love his music No power gonna hold us down.
@legion159
This song puts me in such a good mood
@aaronbrown9328
Gentleman is such a good person I love his music and his personality
@memphasnobleajahyi5872
Big tune positive message good vibration love it
@rasientertainment9843
Yea real good music
@spin_fischer
Such a good song! Brings back di good old times
@friedrichgerster1583
Love ,equality and..treating each other as what we are..emotion controlled,equal..feeling,self-consious ..with a glimpse of moral..time to over think
@chernobyl6703
Timeless Classic. I remember vibing to this in High school. Memories.
Journey to Jah
@miroz5824
Still one of the best tunes after all these years! Give JAH thanks & Ises!
Cyaant hold us down, we keep trodin on with JAH by my side as these legends right here do :)
Blessings and Love from Slovakia.
@TolekaTobina
From Kinshasa in DR Congo i grew up to this song playing on Trace TV back in 2006 i was 16 years old now im 33. I loved this song so much at that age not even knowing what they was singing because we speak french here and i learned english later. God bless you guy for such good music