Tribute To Wa De
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

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




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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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!!!

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