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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.
Theif Man
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thief a man, you're just a part of Babylon's plan
Thief a man, you even steal a Rastaman
Hear me, I ain't no junkie and I don't use hash, no
So he who steals my purse, surely steals trash
Me say, thief a man, you're just a part of Babylon's plan
Bredda, thief a man, you even steal a needy man
You're just robbing the revenue and that's the wrong thing to do
But I know that there, some cell is empty waiting for you in penitentiary
Thief a man, you're just a part of Babylon's plan
Bredda, thief a man, you even steal a Rastaman
Don't keep it up, don't keep it up, give it up, give it up
You're only just robbing the poor and then go give it to a store
But I know that there some cell is empty waiting for you in penitentiary
Thief a man, you're just a part of Babylon's plan
Bredda, thief a man, you even steal a Rastaman, down in Babylon
You've got to give it up, I said, don't keep it up
Yeah, yeah, woh, woh, alright, yeah, yeah, oh yeah
The song "Thief a Man" by Gregory Isaacs is a message to all those who engage in stealing and other illegal activities. The song condemns those who steal from others and warns them about the repercussions they will face. The lyrics are a call to give up such activities and turn to a better way of life. The use of the term "Thief a man" is a reference to those who would steal anything from anyone, regardless of their status or background.
The song makes a powerful statement about the negative impact of theft on individuals and society as a whole. The line "You're only just robbing the poor and then go give it to a store" highlights the injustice of stealing from those who are already struggling, only to sell the stolen items to businesses for their own profit. The song also suggests that those who engage in such activities will ultimately face punishment, either in the form of prison or through divine justice.
Overall, "Thief a Man" is a warning against engaging in illegal activities and a call to choose a better path. The song not only condemns theft but also highlights the harm caused to individuals and society by those who engage in such activities.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't keep it up, don't keep it up
Stop doing what you're doing and change your ways.
Thief a man, you're just a part of Babylon's plan
By stealing from others, you're contributing to the system of oppression created by Babylon.
Thief a man, you even steal a Rastaman
Your thievery knows no bounds, as you even target those who are members of the Rastafarian faith.
Hear me, I ain't no junkie and I don't use hash, no
I want you to know that I'm not someone who would steal to support a drug habit.
So he who steals my purse, surely steals trash
Material possessions don't hold much value to me, so if you steal from me you're essentially taking something worthless.
Bredda, thief a man, you even steal a needy man
You don't discriminate in your thievery, as you also steal from those who are struggling to make ends meet.
You're just robbing the revenue and that's the wrong thing to do
Stealing from those who are trying to make an honest living is immoral and unjust.
But I know that there, some cell is empty waiting for you in penitentiary
Eventually, your actions will catch up with you and you'll end up in prison for your crimes.
You're only just robbing the poor and then go give it to a store
You're stealing from those who are living in poverty and then using that stolen money to support big corporations.
Bredda, thief a man, you even steal a Rastaman, down in Babylon
Your actions are especially heinous as you target those who are members of a marginalized group, and you're doing it in a system that deliberately oppresses them.
You've got to give it up, I said, don't keep it up
It's time for you to change your ways and stop stealing from others.
Yeah, yeah, woh, woh, alright, yeah, yeah, oh yeah
Repeating this phrase shows the urgency and seriousness of the situation, and the need for change to happen now.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: GREGORY ANTHONY ISAACS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eras
on Good Morning
Anyone with out deh lyrics by Gregory isaacs
Garvey Ufot
on Dieting
Lord
Lord
I sit and wonder have I sinned
As I partake of my dieting, yeah
Just to know that every day, oh yeah
My whole life depend on a food tray, yeah
An happy day, a night of pain
I wonder when this a-term will end
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
Yes, I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
The place in which that I dwell, Lord knows
Was just an old iron gate in hell, yeah
But still I survive
The foolish man always build strife
Nuh want no baton stick come bruck me bone
The worldly man, leave me alone
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
Yes, I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
Uunh
One day closer to home
I sit and wonder have I sinned, Lord God
As I partake of my dieting
Hurts to know that every day, every long day
My whole life depend on a food tray
An happy day, a night of pain
I wonder when this a-term will end
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
To home
I need, aah
To home
One day closer
Garvey Ufot
on Dieting
The tune, 'Dieting', is absolutely, totally and completely the hottest and the coolest tune in this album. It is absolutely massive. It is my absolute best. Anyone who thinks otherwise has NOT listened to it yet. It is heartrending in its story -- Gregory's harrowing experience in prison -- hard in its riddim (Roots Radics at their best) and soul uplifting in its melody. Jesus! Are you guys kidding me? 'Dieting' is without parrallel in this album.
Gicharu
on A Few Words
Cool Ruler had classic voice, ......one of those voice one can't imitate. these songs sang more than 30 years ago will still be played and relevant more than a century later... R.I.P
Gicharu
on Front Door
"The white men lose", does not make sense...."While I may lose"
Gicharu
on Better Plant Some Loving
This was my best cassette of G.I , all songs with the exception of Let off Supm, were classic love songs. His collabo with Dennis Brown on Let off Supm was a gem
Vinnie
on Good Morning
Great vives!
Bruce Booker
on Out Deh
I really would like to have the lyrics of gregory isaacs dieting song.
Valmir Machado
on Night Nurse
brasill é regaee, é nois mano
Evelyne De Batavia
on If I Don't Have You
Wonderful