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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.
Tribute To Wa De
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These few lines is all he wrote and said
Like a target on the battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Got a wound from a gun I couldnt run
And now they took away my freedom
But here i am among these wretch
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
I hope shes taking care of the children
And tell me Idren dem a street
That Ill soon step forward again
Forward again
Wa dee wa daa wa do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh Know
Here I am still fighting another day
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
The sun shall not smite I by day
nor the moon by night
nor the moon by night
I wont give up the fight
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
Tru you nuh know
Down in this cell
Its more than tongue can tell
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
In Gregory Isaacs's song "Tribute to Wa De," the singer talks about receiving a note from Wa Dee with only a few lines saying that he's been wounded, surrounded by conviction and taken away his freedom. Despite enduring these hardships, he is still fighting another day and won't give up the fight. Even though he's down in a cell, he hopes that Rosie is taking care of the children and that he'll soon step forward again.
The lyrics of the song tell the story of somebody who is facing a lot of challenges and struggles, but they are not giving up. The character's fighting spirit is commendable and inspiring, showing that they have not lost hope and are willing to keep fighting until they come out victorious. The use of the phrase "upfully serving my stretch" is also notable because it speaks to the character's ability to stay positive and hopeful, even in difficult situations.
The song is a tribute to a person named Wa Dee, who is never directly mentioned in the lyrics. Some say Wa Dee was a fellow musician, while others believe he was a friend or acquaintance of Gregory Isaacs. The song was released in 1978 and is considered one of Isaacs's most soulful and emotional pieces of work. Its lyrics still resonate with people today and have been covered by various artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a note from Wa Dee the other Day
Received a message from Wa Dee recently
These few lines is all he wrote and said
The message was brief
Like a target on the battlefield
Equates his life to a hazardous battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Was encircled by strong beliefs
Got a wound from a gun I couldn't run
Got shot and was unable to flee
And now they took away my freedom
Was imprisoned and lost his liberty
But here i am among these wretch
Currently surrounded by other prisoners
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
Praying to God while serving his sentence
So go and tell Rosie
Inform Rosie
I hope shes taking care of the children
Hopes his children are being looked after
And tell me Idren dem a street
Let his friends on the street know
That Ill soon step forward again
He will soon return
Here I am still fighting another day
Continuing to persevere
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
His life is the thing people want to pay for
The sun shall not smite I by day
He will not be harmed by the sun during the day
nor the moon by night
Will not be harmed by the moon at night
I wont give up the fight
Will persevere in the struggle
Down in this cell
In prison
Its more than tongue can tell
Words cannot describe the experience
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
N/A
A true you nuh know
You don't know what's true
True you nuh Know
N/A
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@singhstax
Got a note from Wa Dee the other Day
These few lines is all he wrote and said
Like a target on the battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Got a wound from a gun I couldnt run
And now they took away my freedom
But here i am among these wretch
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
So go and tell Rosie
I hope shes taking care of the children
And tell me Idren dem a street
That Ill soon step forward again
Forward again
Wa dee wa daa wa do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh Know
Here I am still fighting another day
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
The sun shall not smite I by day
nor the moon by night
nor the moon by night
I wont give up the fight
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
Tru you nuh know
Down in this cell
Its more than tongue can tell
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
@kharkanas6779
Got a note from Wa Dee the other Day
These few lines is all he wrote and said
Like a target on the battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Got a wound from a gun I couldnt run
And now they took away my freedom
But here i am among these wretch
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
So go and tell Rosie
I hope shes taking care of the children
And tell me Idren dem a street
That Ill soon step forward again
Forward again
Wa dee wa daa wa do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh Know
Here I am still fighting another day
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
The sun shall not smite I by day
nor the moon by night
nor the moon by night
I wont give up the fight
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
Tru you nuh know
Down in this cell
Its more than tongue can tell
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
@dennismarigi1412
Got a note from Wa Dee the other Day
These few lines is all he wrote and said
Like a target on the battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Got a wound from a gun I couldnt run
And now they took away my freedom
But here I am among these wretch
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
So go and tell Rosie
I hope she's taking care of the children
And tell me Idren dem a street
That I'll soon step forward again
Forward again
Wa dee wa daa wa do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh Know
Here I am still fighting another day
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
The sun shall not smite I by day
Nor the moon by night
Nor the moon by night
I wont give up the fight
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
Down in this cell
It's more than tongue can tell
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
@louisoswald9858
thank you for the lyrics, a killer song that helped make him RIP Gregory, we will always miss you, so glad got to see you twice
@renton7866
Masterpiece... The voice of gregory... Sly and Robbie music.. Just à dream
@RR-kb2ks
Absolute killer track! GI expressing from the heart, his incarceration experience (who feels it knows it), and at the same time offering social insight, all driven by a mighty Sly and Robbie rhythm section - legend and genius !
@tafimutekwe2855
This album invokes memories of my boyhood friend Cuthbert Muchenje circa 1982.
@LadyLegz35
Classic ❤
@musicaldisc4664
...Top Gregory All Time Tune....should have been released on 7" with a version... Killer!!!!! 😊
@selassiewaigwa7426
Soon am laying flowers to GI grave in Jamaica 🇯🇲 Gregory u are Great respect 🙏
@Abraxastrust
True ghetto music a real masterpiece one of the best song riders ever lived
@singhstax
Got a note from Wa Dee the other Day
These few lines is all he wrote and said
Like a target on the battlefield
I was surrounded by conviction
Got a wound from a gun I couldnt run
And now they took away my freedom
But here i am among these wretch
Jah know im upfully serving my stretch
So go and tell Rosie
I hope shes taking care of the children
And tell me Idren dem a street
That Ill soon step forward again
Forward again
Wa dee wa daa wa do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh Know
Here I am still fighting another day
Yet my life is what they say they want for pay
The sun shall not smite I by day
nor the moon by night
nor the moon by night
I wont give up the fight
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh know
True you nuh know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
Tru you nuh know
Down in this cell
Its more than tongue can tell
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
Wa Dee Wa Da Wa Do
A true you nuh Know
A true you nuh Know
@nctwaidumela
OMG...thank you for the lyrics!!!