During 1967 Osbourne became lead vocalist of The Wildcats, and recorded for producer Winston Riley, although nothing was issued. The Wildcats' manager then financed a session at Coxsone Dodd's Studio One, from which his debut single, "All I Have Is Love", was released. In 1969 he recorded an album, Come Back Darling, again for Riley. On the day that he completed the album, Osbourne emigrated to Toronto, Canada, to join his family. After singing with various soul and reggae groups, he became lead vocalist for Ishan People, and recorded two albums with them. The group broke up in 1979, and Osbourne decided to return to Jamaica.[2]
Shortly after returning, he recorded "Forgive Them" and "Jealousy, Heartache And Pain" for the Studio One label. Through late 1979 and early 1980 he recorded extensively for Dodd, with these sessions culminating in Truths And Rights. In 1979 he also had a hit for King Jammy (then Prince Jammy) with "Folly Ranking", and an album of the same name followed in 1980. The success of these recordings made him one of the most in-demand vocalists on the island, and a glut of material was released, including Fally Lover, Warrior, Innah Disco Style and Never Stop Fighting, between 1980 and 1982. In 1983, he began the year with two big hits, "Yo Yo" and "Lend Me A Chopper", and later in the year enjoyed further success with "Water Pumping", an adaptation of Hopeton Lewis' "Take It Easy", which had also served as the basis for Johnny Clarke's 1976 hit "Rockers Time Now".
The hits continued with "Get Cracking", "Check For You", "Rewind" (1984), "Buddy Bye", "No Sound Like We" and "In The Area" (1985). In the late 1980s he was particularly successful when recording for Bobby Digital, and had hits with "Good Time Rock" (1988) and "Rude Boy Skank" (1988), both of which are included on his 1989 album, Rougher Than Them. Throughout the 80s he continued to record for Coxsone Dodd, and singles included "Keep That Light", "Unity" and "A We Run Things", but a long-promised second album from Dodd has not materialized.
Jah Promise
Johnny Osbourne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just let the truth manifest itself
'Cause man was made out of love
Forever be to your brothers true
'Cause respect is overdue
How could I be unfaithful
After all the things you have done, Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, never
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise no way, no way (to Him)
He gave the moon to brighten up the night
Oh, how the moonlight glow
He gave the stars, they twinkle in the skies
Oh, we love the starlight so
But how could I be unfaithful
After all the things you have done, Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, no way
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, no way
I could never, never break it
'Cause that's the way that I make it
He gave the moon to brighten up the night
Oh, how the moonlight glow
He gave the stars, they twinkle in the skies
Oh, how we love the starlight so
How can I be unfaithful
After all the things you have done, Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, no way
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, 'cause I never-never-never
(I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah)
I will never, never break it
(I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah)
'Cause that's the way I make it
The song "Jah Promise" by Johnny Osbourne is a devotional hymn that highlights the artist's unwavering faith in Jah (God) and his commitment to keeping his promise to Him. Throughout the song, Osbourne emphasizes his loyalty to Jah and acknowledges the countless blessings that the Almighty has bestowed upon him. He describes how he has been given the gift of love, brotherhood, and respect, and how he cannot be unfaithful to Jah after all that has been given.
Osbourne credits Jah with the creation of all things beautiful in the night sky, such as the moon and stars, which he admires as symbols of Jah's power and grace. He uses these symbols to reinforce the idea that Jah's blessings cannot be taken for granted and that one must remain faithful to Him.
The repetition of the line "I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah" serves as a reminder of Osbourne's commitment to remaining faithful in all circumstances. Overall, the song is a testament to the strength and importance of religious faith, and how it can guide one's life and provide a sense of hope and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Manifestation, woah-oh-oh-oh Lord
Let the truth manifest itself, Lord
'Cause man was made out of love
Man was created with love
Forever be to your brothers true
Always be truthful to your brothers
'Cause respect is overdue
Respect is necessary and overdue
How could I be unfaithful
I could never be unfaithful
After all the things you have done, Jah Jah
After all the things you have done for me, Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Jah Jah
I will never break my promise to Jah Jah
I ain't gonna break my promise to Him, never
I will never break my promise to Him
I ain't gonna break my promise no way, no way (to Him)
I will never break my promise, no matter what
He gave the moon to brighten up the night
He gave the moon to brighten the night sky
Oh, how the moonlight glow
We love the glow of the moonlight
He gave the stars, they twinkle in the skies
He gave us the stars that twinkle in the sky
Oh, we love the starlight so
We love the beauty of the starlight
I could never, never break it
I will never, ever break my promise
'Cause that's the way that I make it
That's how I keep my promise
Contributed by Ella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DJ CHRILLE
Either i have to cry or i have a smoke. One of johnny's most beautiful songs. Underrated !!!
Angel Decambre
My brother use to play this back in my child hood now he is gone back to YAH rest in peace Naman love and miss you with tears in my eyes and now I am Awaken to know who I am a daughter of Zion living thus natural life until I see you again Angel
levi jones
Im here after losing my uncle William James (jonny)Reid AKA SCABBA. He was buried yesterday. R.I.P to my stallion of an uncle.
coral bennett
Vintage tune cant done - just hearing it gives me goosebumps. ๐คช
Jasseen Maylor Bey
Just listen to the mix. Every instrument is essential to this masterpiece. I would spend days on drums alone if given this masterpiece.
BigLee
I ainโt gonna break my promise to Jah. โค๏ธ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐พ
RedGoldGreen-Dub1975
Lovely tune โค
Chris Cole
Very nice tune by J Osbourne. Truth and rights album is one of favourites in my collection .
Ricardo Pavan
Pedrada .!!!
Tadiyah Fraser
Sunday evening music when my Granny food almost done cook ๐๐ฝ๐ฏ