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.
Water Pumping
Johnny Osbourne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You take your time, take your time, take your time, no need to hurry
You take it easy, you take it easy, take it easy, no need to worry
If you fall from the race it's no
disgrace, just keep yourself from of the ground
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
It's great how the world is changing,
but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
Give me your lovin'-a, mi darling,
and I'm-a give you good huggin'-a, a-baby
Don't you talk about lovin'-a, a-baby,
I'm-a give you good squeezin'-a, a-darling
And di all night lovin'-a, a-baby
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
Take your time, take your time, take your time, no need to hurry
You take it easy, you take it easy, you take it easy, no need to worry
If you fall from the race it's no
disgrace, just pick yourself from of the ground
Water pumping, a-darling, make me do di water pumping, a-baby
You take your time,
you take your time, you take your time, you take your time
Water pumping, a-baby, make me do di water pumpin'-a, a-darling
Do di thing, do di thing, you keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, a-make me do di water pumping, a-baby
It's great how the world is changing,
but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
Give me your lovin'-a, a-baby,
I will give you good huggin'-a, a-darling
And don't you talk about squeezin'-a,
a-baby, and di all night lovin'-a, mi darling
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping (dub)
"Water Pumping" by Johnny Osbourne is a reggae song that speaks of the power of love and its ability to keep a person going even when they feel like giving up. Throughout the song, the theme of water pumping is used as a metaphor for the energy and drive that love can give a person. The lyrics encourage the listener to take their time, to not rush and worry, and to simply let the water (love) flow. The chorus repeats the phrase "You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing, Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping" which encourages the listener to keep doing what they're doing and let the love keep them moving forward.
The verse "It's great how the world is changing, but it's only love that the woman have plenty of" speaks to the idea that, while the world can be unpredictable and constantly changing, love is the one constant that women always have an abundance of. The verses continue to encourage the listener to give and receive love, with the final verse saying "Give me your lovin'-a, mi darling, and I'm-a give you good huggin'-a, a-baby. Don't you talk about lovin'-a, a-baby, I'm-a give you good squeezin'-a, a-darling. And di all night lovin'-a, a-baby."
Overall, "Water Pumping" is a joyful, upbeat anthem to the power of love and the music of reggae.
Line by Line Meaning
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Encouraging the listener to continue doing their thing and enjoy life
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
Metaphorically equating the action of water pump with the physical act of love-making
You take it easy, you take it easy, take it easy, no need to worry
Relax and take life easy, don't stress yourself unnecessarily
If you fall from the race it's no disgrace, just keep yourself from of the ground
Even if you fail, don't give up, keep pushing and don't lose hope
It's great how the world is changing, but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
The world is progressing, but love is still the most important thing that women desire
Give me your lovin'-a, mi darling, and I'm-a give you good huggin'-a, a-baby
Asking for love and affection from his significant other, and offering to give the same in return
Don't you talk about lovin'-a, a-baby, I'm-a give you good squeezin'-a, a-darling
Promising physical affection and intimate love-making with his partner
Water pumping, mi darling, make me do di water pumping, a-baby
Continuing the metaphor and asking his lover to indulge in physical intimacy with him
Take your time, take your time, take your time, no need to hurry
Again emphasizing the importance of taking it easy and not rushing through life
If you fall from the race it's no disgrace, just pick yourself from of the ground
Encouraging the listener to not give up, even if they fail, and to keep trying
Water pumping, a-darling, make me do di water pumping, a-baby
Repeating the refrain and reminding the listener of the underlying metaphor
It's great how the world is changing, but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
Reiterating the importance of love and affection in a woman's life
Give me your lovin'-a, a-baby, I will give you good huggin'-a, a-darling
Continuing the offer of exchanging love and affection with his partner
And don't you talk about squeezin'-a, a-baby, and di all night lovin'-a, mi darling
Promising intense physical intimacy with his partner, reiterating the underlying message of the song
Di water pumping (dub)
The instrumental dub version of the song without any lyrics
Writer(s): Lloyd James, Johnny Osbourne
Contributed by Adrian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vedastodunstan6925
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You take your time, take your time, take your time, no need to hurry
You take it easy, you take it easy, take it easy, no need to worry
If you fall from the race it's no
disgrace, just keep yourself from of the ground
Water pumping, mi darling, make me do di water pumping, a-baby
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
It's great how the world is changing,
but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
Give me your lovin'-a, mi darling,
and I'm-a give you good huggin'-a, a-baby
Don't you talk about lovin'-a, a-baby,
I'm-a give you good squeezin'-a, a-darling
And di all night lovin'-a, a-baby
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, make mi do di water pumping
Take your time, take your time, take your time, no need to hurry
You take it easy, you take it easy, you take it easy, no need to worry
If you fall from the race it's no
disgrace, just pick yourself from of the ground
Water pumping, a-darling, make me do di water pumping, a-baby
You take your time,
you take your time, you take your time, you take your time
Water pumping, a-baby, make me do di water pumpin'-a, a-darling
Do di thing, do di thing, you keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping, a-darling, a-make me do di water pumping, a-baby
It's great how the world is changing,
but it's only love that the woman have plenty of
Give me your lovin'-a, a-baby,
I will give you good huggin'-a, a-darling
And don't you talk about squeezin'-a,
a-baby, and di all night lovin'-a, mi darling
You do di thing, do di thing, keep you rocking and a-swing
Di water pumping (dub)
Artist: Lloyd James / Johnny Osbourne
Lyrics Water Pumping ยฉ Greensleeves Publishing Limited, Embassy Music Corporation
@katrinlchefs2275
Pierina Stagnaro
You do di ting
Do di ting
Keep it rockin an' swing
Your water pumping
Darling
Make we do di water pumping
Take ya time x3
No need to hurry
You take it easy x3
No need to worry
If you fall from the race there's no disgrace
Just keep yourself from off the ground
Water pumping
Darling
Make me do di water pumping
Baby
Do di ting do di ting
Keep me rocking an swing
Water pumping
Darling
Make we do di water pumping
It's strange how the world is changing
But it's only loving that the woman have plenty of
Gimme your lovin
Mi darling
And i will give you good huggin
Ah baby
DOn't you talk about lovin
Ah baby
I will give you good squeezin
Darling|
An' di all night loving
Chorus
Fuck it im too lazy to write anymore your welcome
@stormysky8031
Just an African American youngin listening enjoying my brothers and sisters music we really do cherish and love everything about our Caribbean family sending love from the US ๐ค
@sharonjeffers9379
Brings back great memories , those Saturday night underground parties as a youth , rub a dub!
@sinaolowoake8142
Summer of 83..Lagos Nigeria. This was playing all through
@cliffsemple5116
Can't find music like this nowadays
@lisaswift4338
How cool is this song! Fast forward "Aswad rockers medley" to 7.24mins for this bit for years...
So happy I've finally found the whole song.....it's only taken me 35 years !!!!!!
@shawndale2082
Ui a
@lindleyross7782
Brooklyn late 80's early 90's this was the jam brings backย a whole lot of good memories
@deewynn
Lindley Ross Love People One๐ If you partied there, I was with you!๐
@AceSinna
Facts
@alundavies8402
Same thing in Sutton Surrey south London back in the day