Born in Kent, Judge Dread was the first White British recording artist to get a reggae hit in Jamaica. He got his stage name from a Prince Buster song, and his first hits were inspired by Prince Buster's single, "Big Five".
The Guinness Book of World Records credits Judge Dread for having the most banned songs of all time. Many of his lyrics have sexual connotations, with one song "Big Five" using rhyme to suggest lewd words while not actually saying them. A series of songs with "Big" followed by a number were some of his most notable hits β all of them featuring sexual and humorous lyrics. It is unlikely that you will ever hear his music on mainstream radio because of the nature of his lyrics.
Judge Dread died on stage in The Penny Theatre, Canterbury. At first, his collapse was thought to be part of his humorous and lively stage act, but it was quickly discovered that he was really dead.
In the 1970s, tabloid newspapers expressed concerns that young fans of the comic character Judge Dredd might buy Judge Dread's records by mistake, and hear things that may corrupt their minds.
Donkey Dick
Judge Dread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a man who lives a life, which really is quite grand.
He doesnβt make much money; in fact he is quite poor,
Heβs Donkey Dick, the donkey man, of the seashore.
All the girls in their bikinis, when theyβre getting a nice tan,
Always keep a look out, for their favourite donkey man.
And when they see him coming, they all run up to him quick,
Oh donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey, Donkey Dick,
If you ask him nicely, he will give you a quick lick.
Donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey dick,
All the girls like to have a ride on Donkey Dick.
When the winter comes around, he moves into the town,
Where his fame has spread, for miles and miles around.
And he shows the city girls his funny little trick,
That he does, with his donkey, donkey dick.
Well now that summerβs come around, and weatherβs getting warm,
Iβve been out and brought a little donkey of my own.
Itβs four feet high, and really, really, slick,
And twice as fat, as your donkey, donkey dick.
The song "Donkey Dick" by Judge Dread revolves around the character of Donkey Dick, who makes a living by offering donkey rides to beach-goers at the seaside. Despite being poor, he lives a grand life, as he is the favorite donkey man among all the girls in bikinis who frequent the beach. They are always on the lookout for him and run to him when they see him coming, shouting to have a ride on his donkey, dick. The lyrics suggest that Donkey Dick also has a comical trick that he performs with his donkey that amuses city girls when he moves to the town during the winter.
While the song may appear like a humorous take on a day at the beach, it also reveals a darker undertone. Donkey Dick's character may be seen as an object of ridicule, someone who is poor and cannot afford a better living. His trade of offering donkey rides to young girls raises concerns about exploitation, and the lyrics are suggestive of sexual themes. Judge Dread's lyrics may, therefore, be seen as a commentary on the socio-economic and cultural realities of the time, where people found themselves in desperate situations and were forced to take up occupations that may have been looked down upon.Β
Line by Line Meaning
Well, down at the seaside, out upon the sand,
There's a man who lives by the beach who is quite famous.
Is a man who lives a life, which really is quite grand.
He leads a happy life despite being poor.
He doesnβt make much money; in fact he is quite poor,
He is not rich.
Heβs Donkey Dick, the donkey man, of the seashore.
He is known as Donkey Dick.
All the girls in their bikinis, when theyβre getting a nice tan,
Girls in swimsuits come to the beach.
Always keep a look out, for their favourite donkey man.
They are waiting for Donkey Dick.
And when they see him coming, they all run up to him quick,
They approach him quickly.
Shouting: βLetβs have a ride, on your donkey, dick! β.
They ask for a ride on his donkey.
Oh donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey, Donkey Dick,
Donkey Dick is very popular.
If you ask him nicely, he will give you a quick lick.
He is friendly and will oblige if asked.
Donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey, donkey dick,
He is called Donkey Dick.
All the girls like to have a ride on Donkey Dick.
Girls like riding his donkey.
When the winter comes around, he moves into the town,
In winter, he moves to the city.
Where his fame has spread, for miles and miles around.
People in the city know him too.
And he shows the city girls his funny little trick,
He entertains city girls with his skills.
That he does, with his donkey, donkey dick.
His donkey helps him perform the trick.
Well now that summerβs come around, and weatherβs getting warm,
It's summer and the weather is warm.
Iβve been out and brought a little donkey of my own.
He has bought his own donkey.
Itβs four feet high, and really, really, slick,
The donkey is tall and well-groomed.
And twice as fat, as your donkey, donkey dick.
It is much fatter than Donkey Dick's donkey.
Contributed by Amelia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
scarahdee69
Whilst other 5 year olds where singing nursery rhymes I was singing this.... My mother was fuming with my dad after hearing me sing that. Didn't stop my dad from playing all in the mind album every Sunday afternoon when she went off to work though. Good old papa π€£π€£
Lauracharlotte
I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ππππ
Roger Peachey
I'm a original skin from the late sixties.this man did not get the recognition he deserved.bloody good music.
Phil Kieran
I'm an old Canadian punk. I stumbled across Dreadmania somewhere back in the day and we loved this shit!
Rocknroll rocknroll
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77asgaard
@Rocknroll rocknroll P. P. Fenech wouldn't agree.π
Dave Power
jeezus... im cracking up listening to this..... not heard in years
TALES FROM THE JAILS
Written by the enigmatic Ron Ellis of Southport, Lancashire UK.
David Kirvel
mega! :D
Bowser 88
Judge dread died in 1998 of a heart attack