He Who Keepeth His Mouth
Johnny Osbourne Lyrics


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If the stars don't shine, I no business. (?)
If the flowers on the ground, I no business. (?)
If you be a king, I won't say a thing:
He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
For sure.

Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.
Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.

(.)

He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
For sure.

Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.
Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.





Think before you talk, and mind what you say.
Think before you talk, and mind what you say.

Overall Meaning

The song "He Who Keepeth His Mouth" by Johnny Osbourne centers around the proverbial phrase "silence is golden," emphasizing the importance of keeping quiet to preserve one's own life. The first verse suggests that the singer is only concerned with his own survival and does not care about external factors such as stars or flowers. The second verse compares this mindset to that of a fish that keeps its mouth shut to avoid being caught.


The chorus repeats the message that keeping one's mouth shut also keeps one's life, which is reinforced by the fish analogy. The final line advises listeners to think before they speak and be mindful of what they say, suggesting that one should only speak when it is necessary and is without risk to one's life.


The song is rooted in the Jamaican dancehall/reggae genre, specifically the "roots reggae" subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s. The lyrics draw on Rastafarian philosophy, which emphasizes spirituality, self-reliance, and resistance against oppression. The message of the song aligns with the Rastafarian concept of "I and I," which asserts the importance of one's individual consciousness.


Line by Line Meaning

If the stars don't shine, I no business. (?)
If things aren't going my way, it's not my concern. (?)


If the flowers on the ground, I no business. (?)
If things around me aren't flourishing, it's not my issue. (?)


If you be a king, I won't say a thing:
Even if you hold a high position, I won't speak out against you:


He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
Those who are careful with their words are more likely to stay out of trouble.


He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
Those who are careful with their words are more likely to stay out of trouble.


For sure.
Absolutely true.


Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
Even a fish knows to stay quiet,


He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.
As it can avoid danger through silence.


Even if a fish who keep his mouth shut,
Even a fish knows to stay quiet,


He wouldn't get caught, he wouldn't get caught.
As it can avoid danger through silence.


He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
Those who are careful with their words are more likely to stay out of trouble.


He who keepeth his mouth, also keepeth his life.
Those who are careful with their words are more likely to stay out of trouble.


For sure.
Absolutely true.


Think before you talk, and mind what you say.
Be mindful of your words before speaking.




Writer(s): Osbourne Errol

Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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