Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony trio, originating from Kingston, Jamai… Read Full Bio ↴Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony trio, originating from Kingston, Jamaica. Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Albert "Apple Gabriel" Craig, and Cecil "Skeleton" Spence all overcame adversity in the form of childhood polio and went on to be one of the most successful roots groups to form in Jamaica in the late 1970s. The trio initially met at a rehabilitation center.

After going their separate ways, and each converting to the Rastafari movement, they reunited in Kingston and formed a vocal group. Funding for their first album came in the form of a grant from the Twelve Tribes of Israel branch of Rastafari after Hugh Booth, a member of the Twelve Tribes, had overheard the three men singing in a wooded area outside Kingston. Apple and Wiss were living in the area, which they had converted into a home.

Israel Vibration recorded three albums; "The Same Song", "Unconquered People", and "Why You So Craven" before temporarily disbanding in 1981 after recording sessions for the latter were left incomplete. The three men moved to the United States to seek professional health care and escape the growing Dancehall movement in Jamaica. In 1988, Gary "Dr. Dread" Himmelfarb, founder of RAS Records, urged the trio to reunite and record an album. Skelly, Apple, and Wiss were flown to Washington, D.C. to record a new album at Lion and Fox Recording Studios. "Strength of my Life", the group's fourth album and first of 18 CD releases on the RAS label, was met with great praise and is considered one of the few post-golden era touchstones of the roots reggae genre.

In 1997, Apple Gabriel left the group to pursue a solo career. Skelly and Wiss continue to record albums and tour the world as Israel Vibration, backed by longtime associates Roots Radics.

Mr. Consular Man
Israel Vibration Lyrics

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I've been away in another land For over nine years
Had to return to Jamaica now To set my way clear
I had to go to the embassy
To be interviewed by men of authority
Who didn't want to see I go Through
So they did all that they could do Just to slow I down
Harsh authority was impound
So then I realise I was bound in a jam down

For so long, for so long,
For so long, so long, long, long, long
You Mr. Consular man, how come you de pon mi
Case so long I know deep in your heart
You don't want to see me Go through
So you started to do, that which you do best
Being a pest to I, Being a pest to I
You start by asking a whole lot of questions
And even when you get the right anwser
You don't seem to be satisfy
So you ask the same question again
Thinking maybe I got no brain to know
You want to kris cross my mind
To use your immigration fine
I didn't say nothing wrong I didn't do nothing wrong
You made your own clue
Because you didn't want I to go Mr. Consular Man
How come you hold on to I man.
A lot of man try to sojourn the land
And when they reach up to your hand
All you do is spoil their plan
I'm wondering if you are human
Mr. Consular Man, Where is your humanitarian?
Next thing you start with your computer
And so you start to type I a letter
Everything was in your favour

You also had a faulty behaviour
Mr. Consular Man, How come you hold on pon I man?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Israel Vibration's song "Mr. Consular Man" speak of the struggles of a man who has been away from Jamaica for nine years and has returned to set his way clear. However, before he can go about his business, he is required to go to the embassy to be interviewed by men of authority. These men do not want to let him go through, and they do everything in their power to slow him down. The man realizes that he is bound in a jam down, and he sings about his frustration towards the consular man, who seems to be intentionally making things difficult for him.

The lyrics also suggest that the consular man is being unreasonable and unfair towards the singer. He asks a lot of questions and does not seem to be satisfied with the answers. He repeats questions, thinking that the singer might not be intelligent enough to understand what is being asked. The consular man also uses his computer to type a letter that is in his favor, and his behavior is described as faulty. The singer questions the humanitarianism of the consular man and wonders why he is holding onto him.

The lyrics of "Mr. Consular Man" reflect the real-life experiences of many people who have had to deal with bureaucracy and authority in different parts of the world. Israel Vibration's message is one of resilience and determination, urging people to stay strong and focused even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been away in another land For over nine years
I spent over nine years living in another country

Had to return to Jamaica now To set my way clear
I came back to Jamaica to start anew

I had to go to the embassy To be interviewed by men of authority
I was required to visit the embassy and be questioned by officials

Who didn't want to see I go Through So they did all that they could do Just to slow I down Harsh authority was impound
The embassy officials made it difficult for me to leave by using harsh tactics to delay and obstruct me

So then I realise I was bound in a jam down For so long, for so long, For so long, so long, long, long, long
I eventually understood that I was stuck in a difficult situation for an extended period of time

You Mr. Consular man, how come you de pon mi Case so long I know deep in your heart You don't want to see me Go through So you started to do, that which you do best Being a pest to I, Being a pest to I
I accuse the consul of intentionally dragging out my case and frustrating me with unnecessary questioning and delays

You start by asking a whole lot of questions And even when you get the right anwser You don't seem to be satisfy So you ask the same question again Thinking maybe I got no brain to know
The consul interrogated me with many questions, even if I provided the correct response, and appeared unsatisfied with my replies, implicating that I was ignorant

You want to kris cross my mind To use your immigration fine I didn't say nothing wrong I didn't do nothing wrong You made your own clue Because you didn't want I to go Mr. Consular Man
The consul attempted to use underhanded tactics to incriminate me and justify denying my immigration request, even though I had not done anything wrong

How come you hold on to I man. A lot of man try to sojourn the land And when they reach up to your hand All you do is spoil their plan I'm wondering if you are human Mr. Consular Man, Where is your humanitarian?
I question the consul's humanity, as they seem to take pleasure in ruining people's plans and denying them access to the country

Next thing you start with your computer And so you start to type I a letter Everything was in your favour You also had a faulty behaviour
The consul began typing a letter on their computer, which ultimately turned out to be in favor of my request, but displayed suspicious behavior and motives

Mr. Consular Man, How come you hold on pon I man?
I continue to question why the consul was so adamant about holding up my case and preventing me from leaving

Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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