Higgs knew Bob Marley from the early 1960s. In fact, Marley acknowledged later on that he had been an influential figure for him. Most people interested in classical reggae do not recognize his name, however Higgs has been regarded as the "Father of Reggae' by Jimmy Cliff. For a while Higgs toured with Cliff as well as The Wailers when Bunny Wailer refused to go on the tour in mid 1970s while The Wailers were having disputes.
A majority of Higgs' songs were connected to his impoverished life in Trenchtown where he grew up. Higgs considered that it was out of the poverty and violence of Kingston's shantytowns such as Trenchtown and Johnstown that the reggae music had grown. Before reggae hit big on the western music scene with Bob Marley, it was understood as a "ghetto music". Higgs was the very first artist out the ghetto music scene to have lyrics which primarily dealt with every day troubles.
Higgs died of throat cancer on 18 Dec' 1999.
Family
Joe Higgs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Segregation is the road to destruction
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Let them understand
I got family over Rema
I got family in a Concrete Jungle
I got family natty valley yard
Try to understand
Throw away the ba ba boom boom and the bomb bomb
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Throw away the ba ba boom boom and the bomb bomb
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Let them understand
I got family down a south
And they no run up their mouth
I got family all about
Try to understand
Separation is the road to destruction
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Throw away the ba ba boom boom and the bomb bomb
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Talk to that man
Let them understand
I got family over Rema
I got family over Jungle
I got family natty valley yard
Try to understand
I got family down a south
And they no run up their mouth
I got family all about
Try to understand
I got family over Rema
I got family down a Jungle
The song "Family" by Joe Higgs is a powerful message about unity and the danger of division. The lyrics start with the warning that "separation is the road to destruction" and "Jah Jah children" (which refers to all people regardless of race, nationality or religion) are "slipping away" because of "segregation". The repetition of the phrase "talk to that man, let them understand" serves as a call to action to communicate and educate others about the importance of coming together as a community.
Higgs then talks about his own family, which is scattered throughout different parts of the city. He mentions Rema, a neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica, as well as "Concrete Jungle" and "Natty Valley Yard". He also mentions "down a south" and "all about", emphasizing that his family is spread out but still connected. The last stanza repeats the warning about separation and the need to throw away violence ("ba ba boom boom and the bomb bomb") in order to prevent destruction and preserve unity.
Overall, "Family" is a powerful message about the importance of family and community. It encourages people to work together, overcome differences and recognize the value in each individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Separation is the road to destruction
The act of dividing and isolating oneself from others is a path towards ruin and disaster.
Jah Jah children you're slipping away
People are losing their way and moving farther from their spiritual and cultural roots.
Segregation is the road to destruction
The systematic separation and discrimination of people based on race, ethnicity, or other factors is harmful and leads to negative consequences.
Talk to that man
Engage in conversation and communication with individuals to promote mutual understanding and an exchange of ideas.
Let them understand
Encouraging others to gain insight and comprehension about an issue or situation.
I got family over Rema
I have relatives and loved ones who live in Rema, a specific location.
I got family in a Concrete Jungle
I have relatives and loved ones who live in an urban environment that can be harsh and unforgiving.
Try to understand
Making an effort to comprehend and appreciate the challenges or circumstances of others.
Throw away the ba ba boom boom and the bomb bomb
Discard violent, aggressive forms of communication and expression that can lead to further conflict and harm.
I got family down a south
I have relatives and loved ones who live in the southern region of the country.
And they no run up their mouth
They do not engage in gossip, slander, or disrespectful talk.
I got family all about
I have relatives and loved ones scattered throughout various locations.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@harrisonayodi1529
Have got a familly in muhoroni , malinya, ilesi, shikhambi, amalemba everywhere.....🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪👍
@sospeteroddi7048
I've got family,pale kayole,pale kiamaiko,pale ziwani.....
@robertedge4183
Joe, the teacher of the Wailers, taught them how to wail as one, a wonderful voice in reggae music, always conscious lyrics and that voice RIP Joe
@emmamuthoniwagaitheri9912
2023. Let that man know that we got family😢
@chrisadede3972
This song will forever be a classic.
Tribute to Joe Higgs. The Godfather of Reggae music ❤️💛💚
@ritahmungai549
One of my best songs, i've searched for it for long
@kiongosamuel8497
I know the struggle you went through 😂
@Snkbee
I understand...I have searched for some songs that we were not allowed to listen to or didn't have access to when we were small. I am now enjoying them.
@mwendikoronya2781
Kenya ❤...the message is so deep
@robertsimba5081
Good music never rusts!!!🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪2020