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.
What She Deserves
Gentleman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
never let I go astray and end up ina tragedy
mama no cry no more
Jah love is for sure
glenn washington, mek dem know seh we ina secure
A one thing I desire
only on that will I seek
there is so many mouth to feed
Jah Jah bless all dem babymothers
give them children food to eat
with no help from their fathers
man it wicked deh out on the street
[Chorus:]
Give her what she deserve long time
mama earth is here to love and preserve mankind
I do my very best and reserve what's mine
keep the woman and the children dem fine-one more time
Mama no worry everything it will be better now
you will get everything that you prefer now
you see your son a grow up to be a stepper now
dem never know me woulda be a goalgetter now
and I can buy you bedslippers and sweater now
to keep you warm through all those cold wheather now
and make your burden get light like a fedder now
keepin' it real and forever now
Much respect is due to you mama
who raised me without a father
who teached me how to see myself
without any outside help
I will pray the blessings of the father
who's uplifting to all babymothers
teach the children how to show respect
let their actions be circumspect
[Chorus]
One thing I desire
only on that will I seek
to see the children prosper
there's so many mouth to feed
Monday to monday
sunday to sunday
you catch me working you'll find me down there
hafi be there fi me daughter and me son deh
I am not the daddy who run weh
you talk bout poverty well we have been deh
you set a race and still we win deh
me know me family dem hafi in deh
a strictly culture we bring deh
[Chorus]
In "What She Deserves," Gentleman expresses his gratitude towards his mother for all the sacrifices she has made to ensure his well-being. He acknowledges that without her guidance, he could have easily gone astray and ended up in tragedy. However, thanks to her love, he feels secure and protected. The artist's desire to see the children prosper is another recurring theme in the song. He seeks to create a better future for future generations, knowing too well that there are so many mouths to feed. Unsurprisingly, much of this responsibility falls on the shoulders of single mothers, who often endure the weight of raising children in the absence of fathers.
Through this track, Gentleman honors mothers while calling for a more equitable society where every child has access to necessities, especially food, regardless of their father's involvement. He believes that a world like this would be more loving and preserving of human life. Ultimately, his message is one of hope and love for humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes mama! Give thanks for all the things you had done for me
Expressing gratitude towards Mama for everything she did throughout life
never let I go astray and end up ina tragedy
Mama's guidance prevented the singer from going in the wrong path in life
mama no cry no more
Asking Mama not to cry anymore because things are going to get better
Jah love is for sure
Having faith in Jah's love and grace
glenn washington, mek dem know seh we ina secure
Boasting about the singer's security and success, stating that people should recognize it
A one thing I desire
Expressing a single desire
only on that will I seek
Focusing exclusively on pursuing that one desire
to see the children prosper
Wishing for the prosperity of children
there is so many mouth to feed
Acknowledging that there are a lot of children to feed and care for
Jah Jah bless all dem babymothers
Asking Jah to bless all the mothers of children
give them children food to eat
Asking for the children to have enough to eat
with no help from their fathers
Referencing the difficult situation of mothers who don't receive help from fathers
man it wicked deh out on the street
Describing the tough situation for people out on the streets
Give her what she deserve long time
Advocating for people to give what the deserving ones need, for a long time
mama earth is here to love and preserve mankind
Highlighting the importance of Earth in providing life and love for mankind
I do my very best and reserve what's mine
Doing the best and reserving personal belongings
keep the woman and the children dem fine-one more time
Ensuring that women and children are looked after, once again
Mama no worry everything it will be better now
Assuring Mama that everything will be better now, and not to worry
you will get everything that you prefer now
Promising Mama that she will get everything that she wants now
you see your son a grow up to be a stepper now
Observing that the artist has grown up and succeeded in life
dem never know me woulda be a goalgetter now
Describing how people didn't expect the artist to be a goal-getter
and I can buy you bedslippers and sweater now
Now the artist is able to buy Mama bedslippers and sweaters
to keep you warm through all those cold wheather now
Ensuring that Mama is kept warm through all kinds of weather
and make your burden get light like a fedder now
Promising to make Mama's burdens lighter, like feathers
keepin' it real and forever now
Stating an intention to remain sincere and committed, forever
Much respect is due to you mama
Showing a lot of respect to Mama
who raised me without a father
Acknowledging that Mama raised the singer without the presence of a father
who teached me how to see myself
Recognizing Mama's role in helping the artist develop a sense of personal identity
without any outside help
Doing it without any external assistance
I will pray the blessings of the father
Praying for God's blessings
who's uplifting to all babymothers
Referring to God as someone who uplifts all mothers of children
teach the children how to show respect
Encouraging people to teach children to respect others
let their actions be circumspect
Encouraging people to be thoughtful and careful in their actions
Monday to monday
Describing a daily routine
sunday to sunday
Describing a weekly routine
you catch me working you'll find me down there
If someone tries to find the artist, they will likely find them working
hafi be there fi me daughter and me son deh
Ensuring to be there for a daughter and a son
I am not the daddy who run weh
Stating that the singer is not the kind of father who runs away from responsibilities
you talk bout poverty well we have been deh
Describing the experience of poverty that the singer has had
you set a race and still we win deh
Acknowledging overcoming obstacles and succeeding despite difficulty
me know me family dem hafi in deh
Ensuring that the artist's family is in a better situation now
a strictly culture we bring deh
Bringing a distinctive culture to the world
Contributed by Leo R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.