From Hanover he moved to St. James where hie attended school and ultimately growing into a mild mannered young man. While in St. James Ginjah realized that „Music is mi life“, and in 1994 he moved to Central Village, Spanish Town where he had his first Studio-Session at the age of seventeen! This Studio was no others than the illustrious King Jammy´s, home to many giants in the music business. Although Ginjah was ready for the world, having now been exposed to critics of an acclaimed studio such as Jammy´s the world has not yet become aware of his musical talents, so he made the best of his time while in Central Village helping to organize a Young People Talent Search for his home community. He not only saw local talent but showcased his own which gave him valuable experience which he would use later on. In 1999 he cought the ear of Beres Hammond who instantly became convinced of the potential of this young man. He was immediatly invited by Beres Hammond to his Harmony House Label. In 2000 Beres label opened his door to Ginjah where he began his early recordings.
No sooner than 2001 he was on tour with Beres Hammond on his Caribbean Tour. That year Ginjah opened several shows streching across the major caribbean cities leaving behind a trail of satisfied patrons wanting for more. Ginjah went on touring with Beres throughout the world, places including Europe, Canada, USA & Japan. Over the period of 4 years, he has performed at allmost every major Reggae-Event across the world except Africa. At 2004 he performed at Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica immediately followed by Pop Icon Lionel Richie and gave a good account to himself to the surprise of everybody there.
White Lies
Ginjah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never forget who I am,
I know, I know I am a black man.
I'll never forget who I am,
Hmm, Nooo.
Chorus
Somewhere I read in your history books,
White lies, white lies.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That we all free men.
White lies, white lies.
Verse 1
Dreaming of the day,
When we all should be free.
Them still see us as slave,
That's all they want us to be.
Before the days of Marcus Garvey,
Onto the civil rights,
Them never give us no justice,
Them never treat us right.
Chorus
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That we all free men.
White lies, white lies.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That we all free men.
White lies, white lies.
Verse 2
They design to kill every champion for the black race.
So many black leaders, lying flat on them face.
Shedding the blood of my ancestors,
But you can't stop me nation,
Martin Luthor King had a vision.
Babylon release the chain and still a use them brain.
From nineteen O long and today a the same.
Weh me mean black youth that nothing no change.
If them see we and nuh like we, that nuh strange.
Mamma earth a ball out, too much blood stain,
From picket cotton and chop sugar cane.
Through the middle passage, nuff gone down the drain.
Come yah pon a ship, we never come yah pon a plane.
Chorus
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That I am a free man.
White lies, white lies.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That we all free men.
White lies, white lies
White lies, white lies
White lies, white lies
White lies, white lies
Somewhere I read in your history books,
That we all free men.
White lies, white lies
White lies, white lies
Well the say that slavery abolish 1834 in Jamaica,
but we still facing the same things our ancestors face,
We tired a this
We tired a this
Ginjah's song "White Lies" delves deep into the historical and ongoing struggles of the black community, framed within the context of cultural identity and social justice. The introductory verse emphasizes a proud and unwavering sense of self as a black man, highlighting a determination to maintain one’s identity despite the broader societal pressures. The repetition of "I'll never forget who I am" is a declaration of resilience, insisting on the importance of self-awareness and cultural pride amidst a narrative that often seeks to erase or diminish these identities. It sets the tone for the song, illustrating a refusal to be swayed by a history that has often portrayed black individuals as lesser than their counterparts.
The chorus introduces a powerful critique of historical narratives that declare black people as "free" while underlying systems of oppression persist. The repeated phrase "white lies" serves as a poignant metaphor for the falsehoods entrenched in history books, which gloss over the realities of bondage, systemic racism, and the struggles for true freedom faced by black individuals. By linking the pursuit of freedom with the misrepresentation found in history, Ginjah underscores a disconnect between written narratives and lived experiences — a theme that resonates deeply within the socio-political context of both past and present. This refrain emphasizes the ongoing disillusionment faced by black individuals when confronted with the promises of freedom that remain unfulfilled.
In the first verse, Ginjah explores the lingering effects of slavery, asserting that despite historic milestones like the civil rights movement and figures such as Marcus Garvey, true justice for the black community has never been achieved. The singer highlights a paradox where black individuals are still perceived through the lens of enslavement by those in power. This perspective illustrates a painful truth that the aspirations for liberation have often been stifled, with systemic injustices persisting in various forms. The mention of civil rights leaders and their sacrifices serves to honor their contributions while simultaneously calling out the failure of society to progress meaningfully past these historical wounds — a reminder that the fight for true equality remains ongoing.
In the second verse, Ginjah intensifies his critique by addressing the systemic opposition to black leaders and dismantling efforts aimed at uplifting the black community. The verse highlights the brutal history of oppression, referencing the exploitation of ancestors and the violent legacies tied to colonialism. With reflections on the middle passage and the traumatic journey of black individuals, he evokes a powerful imagery of loss and resilience. The assertion that "nothing no change" reflects a frustrated acknowledgment of the lack of progress despite the abolition of slavery. The end of the song culminates in a pleading declaration of tiredness — a demand for recognition and change. The repetition of “white lies” drives home the song’s central message, urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about history and the reality of systemic oppression that continues to affect lives today. Overall, Ginjah crafts a poignant narrative that challenges false narratives and demands acknowledgment of long-standing injustices faced by the black community.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never forget who I am,
I will always hold onto my identity and sense of self.
I know, I know I am a black man.
I fully acknowledge my heritage and the significance of being a black man.
I'll never forget who I am,
I will continually embrace and remember my true self.
Hmm, Nooo.
I will not allow anyone to diminish my understanding of my identity.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
According to the accounts recorded in your narratives of history,
That we all free men.
It is claimed that all people are supposed to have freedom and equal rights.
White lies, white lies.
These statements are deceptive and do not reflect the truth of our situations.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
In your historical texts,
That we all free men.
It is stated that everyone is considered free.
White lies, white lies.
Such claims are insincere and misleading.
Dreaming of the day,
I envision a future time,
When we all should be free.
When every person can truly experience freedom.
Them still see us as slave,
Others continue to perceive us as subservient.
That's all they want us to be.
Their desire is for us to remain in a position of oppression.
Before the days of Marcus Garvey,
Long before the activism of influential leaders like Marcus Garvey,
Onto the civil rights,
Through the struggle for civil rights,
Them never give us no justice,
We have been denied justice repeatedly.
Them never treat us right.
We have consistently been treated unfairly.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
In your history texts, it's noted,
That we all free men.
That everyone is titled to freedom and autonomy.
White lies, white lies.
These assertions are false and deceptive.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
According to the records in your history,
That we all free men.
It claims that everyone enjoys freedom.
White lies, white lies.
These statements are untruths.
They design to kill every champion for the black race.
There is a deliberate effort to eliminate every advocate for black empowerment.
So many black leaders, lying flat on them face.
Numerous black leaders have been silenced or oppressed.
Shedding the blood of my ancestors,
The history of my people is marked by suffering and violence.
But you can't stop me nation,
Despite adversity, I refuse to be silenced or suppressed.
Martin Luthor King had a vision.
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of equality and justice.
Babylon release the chain and still a use them brain.
Even as oppressive systems claim to liberate us, they continue to manipulate our minds.
From nineteen O long and today a the same.
For many decades, the struggles persist unchanged.
Weh me mean black youth that nothing no change.
What I mean to say is that for black youth, little has improved.
If them see we and nuh like we, that nuh strange.
If they observe us and harbor dislike, that is not surprising.
Mamma earth a ball out, too much blood stain,
The world is in turmoil, heavily stained by violence and bloodshed.
From picket cotton and chop sugar cane.
This suffering dates back to our labor in the fields, picking cotton and harvesting sugar.
Through the middle passage, nuff gone down the drain.
During the brutal Middle Passage, countless lives were lost.
Come yah pon a ship, we never come yah pon a plane.
Our ancestors were brought here against their will via ships, not willingly as travelers.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
In your documented history,
That I am a free man.
It is stated that I have the right to be free.
White lies, white lies.
These claims are dishonest and fundamentally incorrect.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
According to the accounts found in your history,
That we all free men.
It suggests that all individuals possess freedom.
White lies, white lies.
Such statements are mere fabrications.
White lies, white lies
These deceptions echo throughout our despair.
White lies, white lies
They persist in their narrative of falsehood.
White lies, white lies
The theme of dishonesty continues to resonate.
Somewhere I read in your history books,
In the tales documented in your narratives,
That we all free men.
It's claimed that everyone enjoys the same freedoms.
White lies, white lies
These are fabrications that mirror our trials.
Well the say that slavery abolish 1834 in Jamaica,
Although it is said that slavery was abolished in Jamaica in 1834,
but we still facing the same things our ancestors face,
we continue to confront the same challenges and injustices faced by our forebears.
We tired a this
We are weary from this ongoing struggle.
We tired a this
Our exhaustion from this relentless fight is palpable.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: V. Fraizer, S. Pennicott, A. Pennicott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
suzynimo70@gmail.com
on Blush
I love n feel the song
Juliuz Peter
on Never Lost My Way
i like it its so good