Exploring the rich lyrical tradition and compelling rhythms of calypso's formative years - the age of the Roaring Lion, Mighty Spoiler, Lord Invader, King Radio and Attila the Hun - Kobo Town strives to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of their art by engaging the pressing concerns of our time. Domestic violence, the US war on Iraq, the paradoxes of globalization, the ongoing state of Caribbean dependency, and the bittersweet experience of immigration are all treated within their wide and varied repertory.
Calypso is an art that developed in dialogue with other musical forms. The members of Kobo Town, who come to calypso from all over the musical map, hope to continue and extend this tradition of rhythmic and melodic cross-pollination. While rooted in old time calypso and various West Indian folk musics, their music also draws heavily on dub poetry, roots reggae, zouk, son montuno, funk and jazz.
Blood and Fire
Kobo Town Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the people kickin' up a scene
in the countryside and in the city
tired of tyranny
so they marchin' in the cold, in the rain, in the heat
in the plaza, in the hall, in the square, in the street
breaking down the walls, unafraid of defeat
unafraid of the powers that be
the powers that be never shared
when hunger marched and drought parched the land
wealth and power never lent a hand
with nowhere to turn people riot and burn
street clash, broke glass, order overturned
and they wonder when it will stop
‘cause you can only push the people so far….
From Gaza to Jaffna, blood and fire
Soweto to Rio, blood and fire
La Paz to Chiapas, blood and fire
Karachi to Dili, blood, blood, blood and fire
What must fall to bee free, blood and fire
Must fall to be free
independent a half century
people still livin' in misery
so ten thousand strong humanity
marches on the city
where they calling out for bread, out for gas, out for heat
for water, shelter, opportunity
in front of reporters, riot police
they state their demands defiantly
soon the tear gas fillin' up the air
rubber bullets bouncing everywhere
the crowd is told to disperse or expect the worst
if they don't clear out and disappear
ignored and abused, nothin' left to lose
people run up and down, frightened and confused
and they wonder when it will stop
‘cause you could only push the people so far….
Kobo Town's "Blood And Fire" is a socio-politically charged song that addresses several issues, with the central message being the fact that governments and the powers that be often do not care about the plight of the people. The song is set in 1999 AD, at a time when people all over the world were protesting for their rights and freedoms. The lyrics describe a scenario where people are fed up with their oppressive governments and are protesting for better living conditions.
The first verse describes how people marched in both the countryside and cities, through rain, heat, and cold, breaking down walls and defying the powers that be. The message here is clear - people were tired of living under tyrannical rules, and they were willing to fight for their freedom. The second verse continues the theme, describing how people are still living in misery despite being independent for half a century. They are protesting for basic amenities such as bread, gas, and heat, and are met with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The chorus - "blood and fire" - is repeated throughout the song and serves as a reminder of the violence and unrest that often accompany protests, especially when the people's demands are ignored. The bridge describes how people all over the world, from Gaza to Jaffna, Soweto to Rio, La Paz to Chiapas, and Karachi to Dili, are facing the same struggles and are fighting for their freedom. The song ends with the refrain that something must fall to be free.
Line by Line Meaning
the year was 1999 A.D.
The events of this song took place in 1999, a year when the people were already fighting for their freedom.
the people kickin' up a scene
The people were making a strong protest or demonstration for their freedom and rights.
in the countryside and in the city
The people were protesting in both rural and urban areas.
tired of tyranny
The people were exhausted and angry at living under a cruel and oppressive government.
so they marchin' in the cold, in the rain, in the heat
Regardless of the weather conditions, the people marched out to protest.
in the plaza, in the hall, in the square, in the street
The people protested in every corner of the city or town.
breaking down the walls, unafraid of defeat, unafraid of the powers that be
The people were fearless, determined, and ready to use any means necessary to fight against the oppressive government.
‘cause the power that be never cared
The ruling government did not care about the people or their plights.
the powers that be never shared
The government never shared the resources or wealth of the country with the people.
when hunger marched and drought parched the land, wealth and power never lent a hand
In times of hardship, the government did not provide any help to the people.
with nowhere to turn people riot and burn, street clash, broke glass, order overturned
When the people had no other choice, they resorted to violent protest, leading to clashes with police and destruction of property.
and they wonder when it will stop, ‘cause you can only push the people so far….
The people were pushed to their limits, and the government should not be surprised when they finally rise up and protest.
From Gaza to Jaffna, blood and fire, Soweto to Rio, blood and fire, La Paz to Chiapas, blood and fire, Karachi to Dili, blood, blood, blood and fire
The struggle for freedom, highlighted by protests, fires, and bloodshed, was happening all around the world, in different countries and continents.
What must fall to bee free, blood and fire, Must fall to be free
For the people to be free, the oppressive government must be overthrown, even if it means there will be more bloodshed and fires.
independent a half century, people still livin' in misery
Even after obtaining independence for fifty years, the people were still living in poverty and hardship.
so ten thousand strong humanity, marches on the city
A crowd of ten thousand people marched to the city, highlighting the strength and size of the protest.
where they calling out for bread, out for gas, out for heat, for water, shelter, opportunity
The people were demanding basic amenities like food, fuel, shelter, and job opportunities from the government.
in front of reporters, riot police, they state their demands defiantly
The people boldly and courageously stated their demands in front of journalists and officers, defying the government's oppression.
soon the tear gas fillin' up the air, rubber bullets bouncing everywhere
The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, leading to chaos and panic.
the crowd is told to disperse or expect the worst, if they don't clear out and disappear
The police threatened the protesters, telling them to leave the area or face severe consequences.
ignored and abused, nothin' left to lose, people run up and down, frightened and confused
The people were ignored and maltreated, leading to a situation where they felt they had nothing left to lose. They were caught in a cycle of running from the police, experiencing confusion and fear.
and they wonder when it will stop, ‘cause you could only push the people so far….
The government should have anticipated the massive protests and done something to address the people's concerns before things escalated to violence.
Contributed by Adalyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.