I-Octane is now an independent artiste, having ended a 4 year partnership with Arrows Recordings. His catalogue continues to grow likewise his accolades and he has received numerous awards and nominations in recognition of his work. With only a 5 year stint in the industry he is already being compared to some of the legends in reggae, hence it's only appropriate that many industry professionals and corporate Jamaica are looking to him as the leader of the new generation of musician. Even with his success to date, it is clear that Octane has just scratched the surface of all he is meant to achieve. His music has captured the attention and hearts of people of every color, creed and class and this artiste has undoubtedly unleashed a fire that will eternally blaze. HOTTA FIRE BURNING!!!!
Garrison We Say
I-Octane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ghetto youths dem life haffi set
Mi a tell yo Jah, Jah, seh fi don't fret
All when yo drop inna the Vally of death
Yea long as wi a blow breath
Yea ghetto youths haffi find happiness
Yea every pain inna the Garrison wi dept
(1)
Tell dem straight wi no deh yah fi no house
Deh yah fi no vehicle
That mean seh mi deh yah fi the people
Yes mi no wan't no gun
Don't tell mi bout no eagle
That mean seh mi deh yah fi a reason
No true wi a come from the board an the zink fence
That no mean seh wi delinquent
Yes wi need strength but instead a poverty dem invest
(Repeat)
(2)
Wi no know weh the money deh
Wi no custom to holiday
Mi a tell the youths dem wise no chad the valley way
No left nobody inna da holiday
Although wi have pressure, we have pain
System set up fi we grab chain
But member poverty build Octane
So mi a tell the youths lock that inna yo brain
(Repeat)
(Repeat 1)
(Repeat 2X)
The lyrics of I-Octane's song Garrison We Say speak to the struggles faced by ghetto youths in low-income, poverty-stricken neighborhoods. The artist asserts that despite the hardships, as long as they are alive and breathing, they have the power and ability to persevere and find happiness. He calls on Jah, the Rastafarian term for God, to guide them and not to worry even in the face of death.
I-Octane emphasizes that he is not in the Garrison, or the ghetto neighborhood, for material gain but rather to serve the people. He rejects violence and guns, as he believes that he is there for a purpose that is more profound than engaging in criminal activities. However, he recognizes that poverty and a lack of resources make it challenging to resist resorting to criminal activities. He notes that even though the system is designed to ensure that the poor remain poor, he has risen above it and uses his experience to empower young people.
Ultimately, I-Octane encourages the ghetto youths to stay strong, maintain their dignity, and not allow their circumstances to rob them of their dreams and ambitions. Through the lyrics, the artist seeks to uplift people in such communities and reminds them to stay true to their values and beliefs, even in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
So as long as mi a blow breath
As long as I am breathing
Ghetto youths dem life haffi set
Ghetto youths have to find their own way in life
Mi a tell yo Jah, Jah, seh fi don't fret
I am telling you Jah, Jah, not to worry
All when yo drop inna the Vally of death
Even when you face danger or death
Yea long as wi a blow breath
As long as we are breathing
Yea ghetto youths haffi find happiness
Ghetto youths must find happiness
Yea every pain inna the Garrison wi dept
All the pain in the ghetto is deeply felt
Tell dem straight a the Garrison wi seh
Tell them honestly, this is what the Garrison says
Tell dem straight wi no deh yah fi no house
Let them know we're not here for houses or vehicles
Deh yah fi no vehicle
We're here for the people, not for material possessions
That mean seh mi deh yah fi the people
That means I'm here for the people
Yes mi no wan't no gun
I don't want a gun
Don't tell mi bout no eagle
Don't talk to me about eagles (a type of firearm)
That mean seh mi deh yah fi a reason
That means I'm here for a purpose
No true wi a come from the board an the zink fence
It's true we come from the board and the zinc fence (a symbol of the ghetto)
That no mean seh wi delinquent
That doesn't mean we are delinquent
Yes wi need strength but instead a poverty dem invest
We need strength, but instead they invest in poverty
Wi no know weh the money deh
We don't know where the money is going
Wi no custom to holiday
We're not used to holidays
Mi a tell the youths dem wise no chad the valley way
I'm telling the youth to be wise and not take dangerous risks
No left nobody inna da holiday
Don't leave anyone behind while you enjoy yourself
Although wi have pressure, we have pain
Even though we have pressure and pain
System set up fi we grab chain
The system is set up so we only succeed at a snail's pace
But member poverty build Octane
Remember, poverty built I-Octane (a stage name)
So mi a tell the youths lock that inna yo brain
So I'm telling the youth to remember that fact
Repeat 1
Repeat verse 1
Repeat 2X
Repeat twice
Writer(s): BYIOME SHERMAN MUIR
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jahjah luv'
Very beautiful song and I listen this in 2019
Kartel Black
Mad !!! Good Sound !!!!!
Laura's Uploads ಇ.
Favorite song
Maticalise Music Master
mad ting
Sheila Nambelle
<3
EDUNAX
man song so siiiiiiiiick.....
Joj Lawrence
big tyunnnnnnnnnnne
Rastarebl
Beaut