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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.
Warriors
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warriors
Warriors - all you little warriors
Warriors - all you little warriors
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
An' Jah know you just won't get away
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
Love is your cry and war is your meaning
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
An' by your works, you'll get your pay
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?!
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Warriors
Warriors
Every day you just keep on doin' wrongs
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
An' say that you are mighty and strong
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
Love is your work and you deal with violence
(Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?)
And you should surely go in silence
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?!
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
Warriors
Warriors
Yeah, I wanna know, yeah (warriors)
Got to know what you're gonna say (warriors)
The song "Warriors" by Gregory Isaacs speaks to the persistent issue of violence and friction between people. The song serves as a warning to those who engage in violence and war as they will not go unpunished. The title, "Warriors," is a reference to the people who are committing violent acts and "little warriors" are specifically being addressed. The song asks "what are you going to tell Jah now?" implying that these little warriors will have to answer to a higher power for their actions.
The chorus is repeated multiple times in the song, emphasizing the message that even though these individuals may think they are strong and powerful, their actions and violence will catch up to them. Isaacs highlights the irony of those who cry out for love but ultimately act with violence. The line, "love is your cry and war is your meaning" summarizes the message of the song. The lyrics indicate that these warriors should go in silence, implying that they cannot go around bragging about their violent actions and expecting to be admired.
Line by Line Meaning
Warriors - all you little warriors
Addressing all the people who engage in violence and war-like behavior.
Ah wey you a go tell Jah now?
What will you say to God (Jah) when you face him?
You fightin' an' killin' your brother each day
You are fighting and killing your fellow human beings on a daily basis.
An' Jah know you just won't get away
God knows you won't be able to escape the consequences of your actions.
Love is your cry and war is your meaning
You claim to be fighting for love, but your actions speak otherwise.
An' by your works, you'll get your pay
You will face the consequences of your actions.
Every day you just keep on doin' wrongs
You continue to engage in wrongful behavior every day.
An' say that you are mighty and strong
You claim to be powerful and strong.
Love is your work and you deal with violence
You claim to be working for love, but you use violence to achieve your goals.
And you should surely go in silence
You should leave this world quietly without making a fuss.
Yeah, I wanna know, yeah (warriors)
The singer wants to know what the warriors will say when they face God.
Got to know what you're gonna say (warriors)
He wants to know the response of the warriors to God's judgment.
Writer(s): JUNIOR DELGADO, LLOYD WOODROW JAMES
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lawrence Njawe
Thank you Bionic Dub for this rare track one could never have listened to prior to your upload 👍
Salomão Andrade
És uma pedrada
Keith Simmons
This is a CLASSIC!!!!! Nice and dusty.....
Romain Perrot
W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S
Oliv Szf
....Irie U Bro' ☺
Can't imagine how deep is your Cellar .... Timeless Respect
Maxxbennie
! N I C E !
rockerzgaz
This Takes Me Back To Being A Teenager........Any Idea Who The Backing Singers Are ????
Christer Kronblad
Is it not The Tamlins? Could also be Congos
PAUL LEVI
used to have Dennis Brown and Tony Tuff backing some of him tune
Tanya Stevanovic
With DEB beginning later at 80s