Cliff moved to Kingston in 1962. After he released two singles that failed to make much of an impression, his career took off when his "Hurricane Hattie" became a hit, while he was aged just 14; it was produced by Leslie Kong, with whom Cliff would remain until Kong's death. Later local hit singles included "King of Kings", "Dearest Beverley" and "Pride and Passion". In 1964, Cliff was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World's Fair, and Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to Britain. Island initially (and unsuccessfully) tried to sell Cliff to the rock audience, but his career took off in the late 1960s. His international debut album was Hard Road to Travel, which received excellent reviews and included "Waterfall", a Brazilian hit that won the International Song Festival.
"Waterfall" was followed in 1969 by "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" in 1970, both popular throughout most of the world. Folk rock singer-songwriter Bob Dylan even called "Vietnam" the best protest song he'd ever heard. Wonderful World included a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", which was a success in 1970.
Leslie Kong died of a heart attack in 1971. The soundtrack to the reggae film The Harder They Come was a huge success that sold well across the world, but did not break Cliff into the mainstream. After a series of albums, Cliff took a break and traveled to Africa, exploring his newfound Muslim spirituality. He quickly returned to music, touring for several years before he recorded with Kool & the Gang for Power & the Glory (1983). (During the 1981 River Tour, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band added Cliff's little-known "Trapped" to their live set; it achieved great prominence when included on 1985's We Are the World benefit album.) The follow-up, Cliff Hanger (1985) won a Grammy Award, though it was his last major success in the U.S. until 1993. He continued to sell well in Jamaica and, to a lesser extent, the UK, returning to the mainstream pop charts in the U.S. and elsewhere with a version of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" on the Cool Runnings film soundtrack in 1993 .
In 2002, Cliff released his new album, Fantastic Plastic People in Europe, after first providing free downloads using Delacove's People Music Media p2p software. This album featured collaborations with Joe Strummer, Annie Lennox, and Sting as well as new songs that were very reminiscent of Cliff's original hits. In 2004 Cliff completely reworked the songs, dropping the traditional reggae in favor of an electronica sound, for inclusion in Black Magic.
Cliff has also covered the famous African song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
His recording of 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' was used as a campaign anthem by the Sandinista National Liberation Front in the 1990 election in Nicaragua (they lost). It was also adopted by the British Conservative Party during their annual conference in October, 2007. It is unclear whether Mr Cliff endorsed either party. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 15,2010.
Poor Slave
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if am wrong, then correct me
But if am right
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means ones that aren't free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave
Take yo chains off yo body
Poor slave
Put the chains on yo mind
A tree is still a tree
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the past
Not jst some but all the truths
Poor slave
Take yo shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
There was a brother, the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
And if am asked, how to get high
I tell the truth and not a lie
The highest high, a man can get
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off yo body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
The song "Poor Slave" by Jimmy Cliff is a call to action for oppressed individuals to start thinking for themselves by taking off the physical imprisonment and putting the mental and emotional chains on their minds. The lyrics urge the listener, who may be a slave longing for freedom or a person with limited thoughts and perspectives, to seek knowledge and understanding instead of relying on fleeting pleasures such as drugs and alcohol.
Throughout the song, Cliff paints a picture of what being a slave means: lack of freedom, independence and the ability to think critically. However, he also points out that a slave can break free from physical chains but still be imprisoned by the limits of their mind. The lyrics suggest that education and learning about one's heritage and culture can set one free from mental bondage and bring on understanding.
Furthermore, the song stresses the importance of gaining knowledge and wisdom instead of seeking temporary highs through drugs and alcohol. According to Cliff, true freedom comes from educating oneself, gaining insight into oneself and their surroundings, and understanding the history that led to those circumstances.
In conclusion, "Poor Slave" is a powerful and provoking song that urges listeners to break free from physical and mental chains, seek knowledge, and gain insight into themselves and their environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor slave
Addressing the condition of being a slave, which is unfortunate and difficult
Take the shackles off yo body
Being physically chained and unable to move freely
Poor slave
Repeating the opening line to emphasize the desperation of the situation
Put the shackles on yo mind
Being mentally restrained and unable to think independently
Please listen to me carefully
Asking for attention and setting a serious tone
And if am wrong, then correct me
Open to feedback and correction
But if am right
Asserting confidence in the upcoming message
Mine is not the praise
Not seeking recognition or credit for the message
Now let us see if we agree
Starting a discussion and inviting participation
The definition of a slave
Clarifying the context of the message
Means ones that aren't free entirely
Defining slavery as a state of partial or complete lack of freedom
So a slave is still a slave
Reinforcing the notion that being a slave is a serious condition
If he can't think independently
Linking mental freedom to the definition of slavery
A tree is still a tree
Drawing a metaphor between nature and the human condition
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
Acknowledging the temporary nature of hardship and loss
But it blooms again in spring
Expressing hope and resilience despite hardships
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
Highlighting the importance of staying connected to one's origins
But a slave remains a slave
Contrasting the resilience of nature with the impact of slavery on human beings
Without the knowledge of his roots
Emphasizing the importance of historical and cultural awareness
Until he's taught the past
Acknowledging the role of education and learning in empowering individuals
Not jst some but all the truths
Urging the pursuit of comprehensive knowledge and understanding
There was a brother, the other day
Introducing a personal anecdote to illustrate a point
Telling me he's feeling high
Describing a state of ecstasy or euphoria
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Expressing disappointment or disapproval
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
Rejecting substance abuse as a means of achieving happiness
And if am asked, how to get high
Anticipating a common question or objection
I tell the truth and not a lie
Claiming honesty and integrity
The highest high, a man can get
Proposing an alternative source of happiness and fulfillment
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Linking personal growth and self-awareness to lasting happiness
Ease the pressure off yo body
Acknowledging the physical strain of being a slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Using a different word for 'better' and repeating the previous message for emphasis
Put the pressure on yo mind
Calling for mental resilience and intellectual pursuit
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LUGARD BOY
Poor slave
Take the shackles off your body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on your mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if I'm wrong, then correct me
But if I'm right, mind not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means once a tree, entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can think independently
Poor slave
Take the chains off your body
Poor slave
Put the chains on your mind
A tree is still a tree
Though it shed its leaves when winter falls
But it blooms again in spring
Because it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave
Remains a slave
Without the knowledge of its roots
Until, he thought his past
Not just some, but all the truths
Poor slave
Take the chains off your body
Poor slave
Put the chains on your mind
There was a brother the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I just sadly had to sigh
'Cause drugs and booze are lorey
And if I'm asked how to get high
I'll tell them truths and not a lie
The highest high that man can get
Is with knowledge and understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave
Ever take the pressure off your body?
Poor slave
Put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off your body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on your mind
Eddy manijean
♪ Poor Slave ♪
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if am wrong, then correct me
But if am right
Mine is not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means ones that aren't free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave
Take yo chains off yo body
Poor slave
Put the chains on yo mind
A tree is still a tree
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the past
Not jst some but all the truths
Poor slave
Take yo shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
There was a brother, the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
And if am asked, how to get high
I tell the truth and not a lie
The highest high, a man can get
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off yo body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Eddy Manijean
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if am wrong, then correct me
But if am right
Mine is not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means ones that aren't free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave
Take yo chains off yo body
Poor slave
Put the chains on yo mind
A tree is still a tree
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the past
Not jst some but all the truths
Poor slave
Take yo shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
There was a brother, the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
And if am asked, how to get high
I tell the truth and not a lie
The highest high, a man can get
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off yo body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Auteurs-compositeurs : Jimmy Cliff
Pour utilisation non commerciale uniquement.
Données de : Musixmatch
Eddy Manijean
Jimmy Cliff - Poor Slave Lyrics
Artist: Jimmy Cliff
Album: Unlimited
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Écoutez "Poor Slave"
sur Amazon Music
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if am wrong, then correct me
But if am right
Mine is not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means ones that aren't free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave
Take yo chains off yo body
Poor slave
Put the chains on yo mind
A tree is still a tree
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the past
Not jst some but all the truths
Poor slave
Take yo shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
There was a brother, the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
And if am asked, how to get high
I tell the truth and not a lie
The highest high, a man can get
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off yo body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
LUGARD BOY
Poor slave
Take the shackles off your body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on your mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if I'm wrong, then correct me
But if I'm right, mind not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means once a tree, entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can think independently
Poor slave
Take the chains off your body
Poor slave
Put the chains on your mind
A tree is still a tree
Though it shed its leaves when winter falls
But it blooms again in spring
Because it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave
Remains a slave
Without the knowledge of its roots
Until, he thought his past
Not just some, but all the truths
Poor slave
Take the chains off your body
Poor slave
Put the chains on your mind
There was a brother the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I just sadly had to sigh
'Cause drugs and booze are lorey
And if I'm asked how to get high
I'll tell them truths and not a lie
The highest high that man can get
Is with knowledge and understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave
Ever take the pressure off your body?
Poor slave
Put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off your body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on your mind
TheJadefila
Thank you 🙏
Timi Jeboda
Brother Jimmy Cliff....What a voice that touches the soul. May you live long. Your music and message is Universal and timeless. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. Long Live Jamaica...
Veronica Omimi
As a teenager wen this song was sang it did not make any meaning to me but now going on 60 I really appreciate this song and especially the lyrics that now make meaning to me. Always have been a fan of Jimmy Cliff from childhood and into my late 50s I'll remain a fan. I've been greatly touched by this song and it's lyrics. Kudos to u Jimmy. I love you.
1wharfboy
Omimi Ejoor
Theo Nwaigbo
Taking me back memory lane. I remember relishing this song in fact, the entire unlimited album. May God bless Jimmy Cliff.
Olaniyi Taiye
Veronica Omimi
Greetings how can I have a personal interaction with Jimmy Cliff his music has truly positively influenced my life.
His music exposes me to questioning the meaning of life till I found my path in the noble teachings of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC.
I reside in Nigeria.
Koshie Matthews
i love this album .this s the music that these youths need to listing . jimmy cliff is that teacher our children need hear . God bless you jimmy
George Walker
You can say that again and again
Eddy manijean
♪ Poor Slave ♪
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
Please listen to me carefully
And if am wrong, then correct me
But if am right
Mine is not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means ones that aren't free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave
Take yo chains off yo body
Poor slave
Put the chains on yo mind
A tree is still a tree
But will shed it's leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
Coz it did not lose its roots at all
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the past
Not jst some but all the truths
Poor slave
Take yo shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind
There was a brother, the other day
Telling me he's feeling high
Well I jst sadly, had sigh
Coz drugs and booze is lowly
And if am asked, how to get high
I tell the truth and not a lie
The highest high, a man can get
Is from wisdom knowledge,
And understanding
Poor slave
Ease the pressure off yo body
Poor slave
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Beta take the pressure off yo body
Put the pressure on yo mind
Poor slave
Take the shackles off yo body
Poor slave
Put the shackles on yo mind