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.
Payday
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Payday, go to haffe come my way
Sitting over there
Under your false pretense
Living so nice
Off the poor man's expense
Hungry man got to roam the street
I tell you, white squall
One day got to be payday
Payday coming what may
One day you got to haffe big payday
Where, where, where is my share ?
Tell me it's up, up in the air
How, how could I get my share ?
You reply, try upon a broken chair
One day (etc)
Ain't gonna be your hally button
Work for nothin'
By the sweat of my brow
I wanna eat my bread
One day (etc)
The song "Payday" by Israel Vibration is a powerful protest against the exploitation of the poor by the rich. The opening lines assert that "One day got to be payday," meaning that people who work hard and struggle to make ends meet should be rewarded with fair compensation. The lyrics go on to express frustration with the current state of affairs, in which the wealthy live off the backs of the poor and hungry people have to wander the streets. The reference to "white squall" hints at the systemic racism that keeps people of color from achieving true equality and economic justice.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "One day you got to haffe big payday," emphasizing the importance of economic justice and fair wages for all. The second verse is even more pointed, calling out those who would take advantage of others and offering a defiant refusal to work for nothing. The lines "By the sweat of my brow / I wanna eat my bread" draw on the biblical idea of hard work as a means of survival, making the case that everyone has a right to a fair share of the fruits of their labor.
Throughout "Payday," Israel Vibration's lyrics use vivid imagery and poetic language to make their point. The song is a powerful call to action for social justice and economic equality.
Line by Line Meaning
One day got to be payday
I have to work hard every day until I receive the salary for my hard work.
Payday, go to haffe come my way
My salary will hopefully be coming my way on payday as it should be.
Sitting over there
You are sitting somewhere not working hard unlike me.
Under your false pretense
Your behavior is misleading and dishonest.
Living so nice
You are enjoying a luxurious lifestyle without having worked hard for it.
Off the poor man's expense
You're living a good life because you exploit the resources of people who have no means of earning enough to lead a decent life.
Hungry man got to roam the street
People who lack the resources necessary to lead a decent life must wander around the streets hoping for a better opportunity.
I tell you, white squall
There are a lot of problems, such as poverty, oppression, and social injustice, making it difficult for someone to thrive or succeed.
Is such a terrible threat
These problems could be disastrous and life-threatening.
Payday coming what may
Payday is approaching, and I will earn my due no matter what happens.
One day you got to haffe big payday
One day, I hope to receive a large amount of money for all the hard work I've put in.
Where, where, where is my share ?
Where is the money that I have earned, and how am I going to receive it?
Tell me it's up, up in the air
You're avoiding the question and not giving me a straight answer.
How, how could I get my share ?
How am I going to receive the payment that I deserve?
You reply, try upon a broken chair
You've given me a vague solution that is very difficult to implement and has no practicality.
Ain't gonna be your hally button
I'm not going to be your tool or toy.
Work for nothin'
I'm not going to work hard for no compensation or reward.
By the sweat of my brow
I will work so hard that I will start sweating as I strive to earn my wages.
I wanna eat my bread
All I want is to be able to put food on the table, to cover my bills, and to take care of my family with the rewards of my hard work.
Contributed by James O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mrwekahwekah
Lyrics
.....
One day, got to be payday.
One day, got to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
Sitting over there under your false pretence.
Living so nice off the poor man's expense.
Hungry man got to roam the street I tell you,
White squall, is such a terrible threat, oh Lord.
One day got to be payday.
Payday, coming what may.
One day, you got to haffe big payday.
Where, where, where is my share?
Tell me it's up, up in the air!
How, how could I get my share?
You reply, try upon a broken chair, oh God.
One day, got to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to be payday.
Ain't gonna be your hally button,
Work for nothin'.
By the sweat of my brow,
I wanna eat my bread.
One day that will have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to be payday.
Sitting over there under your false pretence.
Living so nice off the poor man's expense, my God.
Hungry man got to roam the street I tell you,
White squall, is such a terrible threat, oh Jah.
One day, got to have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to have to be payday.
I'm sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
So sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
One day, got to have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to have to be payday.
I'm sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
So sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
One day, got to have to be payday..
@matthewkoch449
Un dia tiene que ser el dia del pagamiento (2x)
Pagamiento tiene que llegar por mi camino
Sentando por alla con tu pretenso falso
Viviendo tan bien por el gasto del hombre pobre
Hombe con hambre tiene que rondar las calles
Te digo tempestad blanca es una amenaza terrible
Un dia tiene que ser el dia del pagamiento
Pagamiento llegando que deve
Un dia tienes que tener el dia del pagamiento grande
Donde, donde, donde es mio?
Digame que esta Arriba Arriba en el cielo (aire)
Como, como puedo conseguir mi parte?
Ud responde, intenta sobre una silla
Un dia...
No voy a ser tu “hally button,” trabaja para nada
Por el sudor de mi frente, quiero comer mi pan
Un dia...
@rockolopez645
nobody can not imagine how i feel when i hear reggae music , i feel free and i forgot all my troubles ,thank you ,jah to let us hear sweet reggae music.
@ramonfunez7788
i feel same
@oberlinirish
word brotha
@rubisellopez5541
+Ramon Funez glad to know you like this music my friend
@tebzathetjane1971
Rocko Lopez its true
@peterjohnson155
100% Bless up!
@kwakuantwi9603
i love the israel vibes.big big tune,this is real life experience my brethren.one up straight
@bradsleyjones6372
The voice the lyrics the melody put together knowing there got to be a payday I cried. Israel vibration for all time
@mrwekahwekah
Lyrics
.....
One day, got to be payday.
One day, got to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
Sitting over there under your false pretence.
Living so nice off the poor man's expense.
Hungry man got to roam the street I tell you,
White squall, is such a terrible threat, oh Lord.
One day got to be payday.
Payday, coming what may.
One day, you got to haffe big payday.
Where, where, where is my share?
Tell me it's up, up in the air!
How, how could I get my share?
You reply, try upon a broken chair, oh God.
One day, got to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to be payday.
Ain't gonna be your hally button,
Work for nothin'.
By the sweat of my brow,
I wanna eat my bread.
One day that will have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to be payday.
Sitting over there under your false pretence.
Living so nice off the poor man's expense, my God.
Hungry man got to roam the street I tell you,
White squall, is such a terrible threat, oh Jah.
One day, got to have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to have to be payday.
I'm sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
So sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
One day, got to have to be payday.
Payday, go to haffe come my way.
One day, got to have to be payday.
I'm sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
So sure, so sure, Jah is for sure.
One day, got to have to be payday..
@llolstengondwe559
Am enjoying the hit with all these perfect song words from Malawi. Southern Africa. Skeleton at best