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Gregory Isaacs (born on 15 July 1951 in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica and died on 25 October 2010 in London) was a Reggae singer and songwriter. Gregory Anthony Isaacs is known as "The Cool Ruler" for his seductive crooning vocal style. Gregory attributed his greatest musical influences to R&B greats Sam Cooke and Percy Sledge, in addition to Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe.
In the late 1960s, Gregory first performed in a vocal trio called The Concords, after being encouraged by Byron Lee. By 1970 the group had split up. He subsequently formed his own label, African Museum.
In the late 1970s he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his own African Museum (JA) label with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of Roots Reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream Lovers Rock material. Early hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio.
A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its producer Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One".
Personal problems affected him, particularly battles with a cocaine addiction and a possession charge, which prevented him from touring in North America for a significant part of his career, until a pardon could eventually be secured.
Isaacs recorded with a number of producers, including the Riddim Twin's (Sly & Robbie) Taxi Records, who gave them their first hit with 1979's "Soon Forward" , After a series of releases with Sly & Robbie, Gregory built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. In addition to these local Jamaican labels, The Cool Ruler had had releases on Trojan, VP, Virgin's Front Line and English producer Tad A. Dawkin's Tad's Records. Isaacs would would eventually sign with Chris Blackwell's Island Records which resulted in the international release of Night Nurse (1982) and Out Deh! (1983).
Perhaps his most popular recordings in his native Jamaica are "All I Have Is Love", "Mr. Brown" and "Hard Drugs", the latter being an anti-drug anthem that dominated radio in the late 1980s and was released as a hidden track on England's Tad Records All I Have Is Love, Love Love LP.
In the 1990s Gregory's African Museum label continued to release all of Gregory Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. He continued to record and perform live in the 2000s, and it has been estimated that Isaacs has released over 500 records in his career, which includes singles and compilations.
Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died of lung cancer on 25 October 2010 at his home in London where he spent part of his time. A sad loss to the world.
Lonely Soldier
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a heart that's heavy, and with a will that's strong
Behind, i left a woman, so, so dear to me
Now i'm off to fight a war that they say would make me free
I'm a lonely soldier, i'm a lonely soldier
I'm a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely soldier (yes, i am)
So won't somebody have mercy on me
Nice little son call junior, smiling but with sympathy
All confused he asked a question, he said, "daddy, why must this war be?"
I tried so very hard, yes i did, so very hard i tried to explain. yeah!
But it seems that all i ever been trying, lord, it all seems to be in vain
You know lord, i'm tired of hearing people crying
Lord, i'm tired of seeing people dying
But i promise i wait very patiently
For that sweet voice of liberty
An non. yeah!
I'm tired of seeing people dying...
The lyrics of Gregory Isaacs's song "Lonely Soldier" paint a picture of a soldier who is fighting a war far away from home. He is filled with conflicting emotions as he left behind someone dear to him and is off to fight a war that is supposed to make him free, yet he is lonely and his heart is heavy. The repetition of "lonely soldier" emphasizes the soldier's isolation despite being part of a larger group fighting in the war. He longs for mercy from someone, anyone who can understand his plight and alleviate his loneliness.
The soldier's struggles are further deepened by his encounter with his son, "Nice little son call junior." The soldier's son looks up to him, smiling but with sympathy, and asks a question that cuts to the heart of the matter, "daddy, why must this war be?" The soldier tries to explain but to no avail. He is tired of seeing people dying and hearing people crying, but he remains patient for that sweet voice of liberty that will hopefully bring an end to the war and his loneliness.
"Lonely Soldier" is a powerful song that highlights the toll of war on soldiers and their loved ones. It is a rallying cry for compassion and understanding for those who sacrifice so much for their country. The song has resonated with audiences around the world and has become a classic reggae anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a lonely soldier, many miles from home
I am a soldier, far away from my loved ones.
With a heart that's heavy, and with a will that's strong
Although I am burdened with sadness, I remain resolute and determined.
Behind, I left a woman, so, so dear to me
I had to leave behind someone very special to me.
Now I'm off to fight a war that they say would make me free
I am battling in a war that promises to liberate my people.
Nice little son call Junior, smiling but with sympathy
My dear son, Junior, is sympathetic and trying to be strong for me.
All confused he asked a question, he said, 'Daddy, why must this war be?'
My son is confused and doesn't understand why we are fighting this war.
I tried so very hard, yes I did, so very hard I tried to explain. Yeah!
I've done my best to explain the reasons behind this war.
But it seems that all I ever been trying, Lord, it all seems to be in vain
Despite my efforts, it feels like my explanations are ineffective.
You know Lord, I'm tired of hearing people crying
Seeing the pain and suffering of others has taken a toll on me.
Lord, I'm tired of seeing people dying
The loss of life has had a profound impact on me.
But I promise I'll wait very patiently, for that sweet voice of liberty
I remain hopeful that the day will come when we are truly free.
An non. Yeah!
And so it shall be, no matter what happens.
I'm a lonely soldier, I'm a lonely soldier
I am alone in this fight.
I'm a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely soldier (yes, I am)
The solitude and isolation of being a soldier weigh heavily on me.
So won't somebody have mercy on me
I pray that someone will show me compassion and understanding during this difficult time.
Writer(s): Calvin Carter
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@neilmitchell4234
Love it from long time, but I can't lie, stuck on repeat since x mas eve
@vittoriolupi3519
I love this early Gregory Isaacs
@sobanimal
🔥🔥🔥☝🏽
@nattylisboa4229
oh sofrimentooooo haaja coração
@joycewilliams9870
Memories! What a tune…❤❤
@juliansierra5132
king of reggae
@shawnrandoo
Awesome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks for sharing 🙏😊
@camilaesterfanir1285
Boa pra dançar a moda maranhense 💖✨👩❤️💋👨
@gabrielre69ae72
Masterpiece
@calvinjeffrey4077
What a tune