Kaya
Lee Lyrics

The lyrics of Lee Perry & The Wailers’ song “Kaya” express the need for the titular substance to counter the effects of bad weather. The singer urges themselves to “wake up and turn me loose,” repeating it three times to emphasize the urgency of the situation as the rain falls. They then assert the need for “kaya” (the Jamaican slang term for cannabis) three times as well, again stressing the importance of this substance. The singer describes themselves as being “so high,” able to touch the sky even above the falling rain. They feel good in their neighborhood and are ready to come again.

The singer then repeats that they have “kaya now,” feeling “irie,” and enjoying the sense of being high by again asserting their ability to touch the sky above the rain. They feel good in their neighborhood and announce they are returning once more. The song ends with a final affirmation of the need for “kaya now” as the rain continues.

This song reflects the importance of cannabis in Jamaican culture and its association with a sense of well-being and freedom. It also speaks to the power of music (and substances) to provide temporary relief from difficult circumstances.