He was nominated best vocalist five times in his own country, an indication of the love Jamaicans have for his voice and music. There are many reasons as to why he commands the respect of his countrymen, one is his ability to perform both roots Reggae material and love songs with equal ability and conviction. This dual persona, both as roots 'preacher' and love 'crooner', was one which out of financial necessity many other performers were required to adopt. Dennis Brown, then Johnny's biggest rival, is a fine example in this regard.
Masterful dub remixes of Johnny Clarke's songs by KING TUBBY contribute no end to the beauty of any mid '70s single release by Clarke. Listen to 'Move Out Of Babylon Rastaman' or the later 'Cold I Up' and to the accompanying b-side dub versions, and you will realize why Johnny Clarke encapsulates so well, '70s Roots Reggae. Few other artists have ever achieved such domination, let alone with the consummate ease and style that Johnny Clarke, the 'studio idler' did.
If you are looking to understand and absorb the world of Reggae, in particular the 'Golden Era' of the mid '70s, Clarke's music is an ideal vehicle within which to do so. When Bob Marley was turning himself into the first International Jamaican superstar, Big Youth, Inner Circle and Johnny Clarke ruled the roost back home. They were the acts popular with Jamaicans, in Jamaica.
While he failed to maintain the success of the '70s, Clarke went on to become one of the highlights of the dancehall era, re-establishing his reputation as he did so. His style had always been well suited to this new genre, one that coincided with the beginning of the new decade.
He has continued to remain true to his own roots, singing largely of 'cultural' matters and retaining his Rastafarian faith. Touring to this day, he spends much of his time in the U.K., and long may we benefit from his beautiful voice.
Roots Natty Roots Natty Congo
Johnny Clarke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roots natty roots natty dread.
Roots natty roots, natty congo.
Our foreparents were born, in Africa,
And we are born in Jamaica.
But every day, some people a talk,
Like they are born, in Africa.
But we are Africans, born in Jamaica,
Africans, born in Jamaica, Africans, born in Jamaica.
And all my brothers, who were born ina America,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
And all my sisters, who were born in America,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
So you are Africans, born in America,
Africans, born ina America, Africans, born ina America.
And all my brothers, who were born ina England,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
And all my sisters, who were born ina England,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
So you are Africans, born ina England.
Africans, born ina England, Africans, born ina England.
Roots natty roots, natty congo,
Roots natty roots natty dread.
And all my brothers, who were born ina Canada,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
And all my sisters, who were born in America,
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
So you are Africans, born ina Canada,
Africans, born ina Canada, Africans, born ina Canada.
Our foreparents were born, in Africa,
And we are born in Jamaica.
But every day, some people a talk,
Like they are born, in Africa.
But we are Africans, born in Jamaica,
Africans, born ina American, Africans, born ina Engaland.
Africans, born ina Canada, Africans, born in Jamaica.
The opening line of "Roots Natty Roots Natty Congo" establishes the song's central theme: a celebration of African roots and the unity of the global African diaspora. The use of the term 'natty' refers to a Rastafarian term meaning natural or authentic. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the importance of returning to these roots, both on a personal level and as a community.
The second and third stanzas reaffirm the idea that regardless of where we are born, we all share a common ancestry in Africa. The song acknowledges the identity struggles that arise for those of African descent born outside of the continent, specifically mentioning England, America, and Canada. The repetition of the line "But every day, some people a talk, like they are born, in Africa" highlights the disconnect between the African diaspora and the homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
Roots natty roots, natty congo,
Let us remember our roots, our heritage, and where we came from.
Roots natty roots natty dread.
Our roots and heritage are deeply ingrained and cannot be separated.
Our foreparents were born, in Africa,
Our ancestors come from Africa, the cradle of civilization.
And we are born in Jamaica.
We were born in Jamaica, but our African heritage still lives on in us.
But every day, some people a talk,
Despite our African heritage, some people choose to ignore or forget where they come from.
Like they are born, in Africa.
They deny their roots and history, choosing to identify solely with their current location.
And all my brothers, who were born ina America,
It doesn't matter where we were born, we all share a common African heritage.
Your foreparents were born in Africa.
Our ancestry traces back to Africa, regardless of where we were born.
And all my sisters, who were born in America,
Women also have a strong connection to their African ancestry, regardless of where they were born.
So you are Africans, born in America,
We are all Africans, no matter where we were born or where we currently reside.
Africans, born ina America, Africans, born ina America.
Our African heritage is not diminished by our place of birth.
And all my brothers, who were born ina England,
Regardless of where we were born, our ancestry remains rooted in Africa.
So you are Africans, born ina England.
We are all African, regardless of the country we were born in or currently reside in.
Africans, born ina England, Africans, born ina England.
Our African heritage cannot be erased or forgotten by birthplace or nationality.
And all my brothers, who were born ina Canada,
Even in Canada, our African roots and heritage live on.
So you are Africans, born ina Canada,
We are African, regardless of the country we live in or were born in.
Africans, born ina Canada, Africans, born in Jamaica.
Our African heritage is an important part of who we are, regardless of where we were born or live.
Contributed by Eliana G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Nic-rh8ri
Rastafari liveth and reigns over us all seen🇪🇹 I&I love this song.our brethren is so talented and praises to Jah for he works though our brethren singing 🇯🇲 pray daily to the power of the trinity and he never let's you down 🇪🇹 Jah guides and protects us from the wickedness that is Babylon
@carltonbenjamin6688
This awesome tune brings back memories Metro club in Ladbroke Grove in the 70s with Sufferer sound with Dennis Bovell at the control with Pebbles on the Mic magical place for good ole rockers music Sufferer had a lot of Johnny Clarke dub plates some I've never since Bunnie Lee produced loads of his music . I was at a nigh night last week discussing the good ole days alas some of us are not here anymore.
@johnnyb8825
The last time I heard this song was in 1983 in a music shop in Cardiff. I was 17. I never forgot that song (I am white by the way). There was a "reggae-ness" about Cardiff at that time.
@tonydurack6841
Ahh. The Grove, me ol' stomping ground! Never entered the Metro.
So took couple of decades for this chune to reach me! Earlier would've been great!
@janej6703
What a tune 70s was the time for music l love this tune.
@Deedee-ee1sg
Yes, this iconic reggae classic brings back memories of blues parties and festivals. 70s era had the greatest reggae songs EVER!
@AuthenticSelector64
Roots Reggae Classic.... who can remember stepping to dis...Brap!
@robinrhodie1738
SHOUT OUT TO JOHNNY CLARKE BIG EVERY TIME ROOTS ROCK REGGIE EMPEROR HAIL SELASSIE JAH RASTAFARI GIVE THANKS 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🦁🦁🦁 LIVING LENGED JOHNNY CLARKE
@jahlincoln5504
Educational & history class on one piece of vinyl. Sing out J.C.
@ldi-m950
Big up man.