Most of Johnson's poetry is political, dealing mainly with the experiences of being an African-Caribbean in Britain. However, he has also shown himself more than capable of writing about other issues, such as British foreign policy or the death of anti-racist marcher Blair Peach. His most celebrated poems were written during the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The poems contain graphic accounts of the often racist police brutality occurring at the time.
Johnson's best known albums include his debut "Dread Beat An' Blood", "Forces of Victory", "Bass Culture" and "Making History". Across these albums are spread classics of the dub poetry school of performance - and, indeed, of reggae itself - such as "Dread Beat An' Blood", "Sonny's Lettah, "Inglan Is A Bitch" and "Independant Intavenshan".
When written, Johnson's poetry makes clever use of the unstandardised transcription of Jamaican Creole.
Of late, Johnson has only performed live on an intermittent basis.
Johnson's record label LKJ Records is home to other reggae artists, some of whom made up The Dub Band, with whom Johnson mostly recorded, and other Dub Poets, such as Jean Binta Breeze.
www.lintonkwesijohnson.com
More Time
Linton Kwesi Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
arm wid di new technalagy
wi gettin more an more producktivity
some seh tings lookin-up fi prasperity
but if evrywan goin get a share dis time
ole mentality mus get lef behine
wi want di shawtah workin day
langah holiday
wi need decent pay
more time fi leasha
more time fi pleasha
more time fi edificaeshun
more time fi reckreashun
more time fi contemplate
more time fi ruminate
more time
wi need
more
time
gi wi more time
a full time dem abalish unemployment
an revahlushanise laybah deployment
a full time dem banish ovahtime
mek evrybady get a wok dis time
wi need a highah quality a livity
wi need it now an fi evrybady
wi need di shawtah workin year
gi wi di shawtah workin life
more time fi di huzban
more time fi di wife
more time fi di children
more time fi wi fren dem
more time fi meditate
more time fi create
more time fi livin
more time fi life
more time
wi need more time
gi wi more time
The lyrics to Linton Kwesi Johnson's song "More Time" appear to be a call for change in a society that emphasizes productivity and economic growth over quality of life and leisure time. The first verse describes how society is advancing towards technological progress and increased productivity, but calls for a shift away from the traditional "old mentality" of overworking and undervaluing leisure time. The chorus repeats the phrase "more time" over and over again, emphasizing the desire for a richer and more fulfilling life beyond work.
The second verse continues this call for change, demanding shorter working hours, longer holidays, and better pay. This would allow people to have more time for leisure activities, education, and reflection. The final verses of the song call for a complete overhaul of the current economic system, emphasizing the need for full employment, a higher standard of living, and a shorter working life. The song ultimately argues that people need more time to truly live and enjoy their lives, and that this can only happen if society values leisure time and quality of life over productivity and economic growth.
Line by Line Meaning
wi mawchin out di ole towards di new centri
We are moving from the old ways towards technological advancements.
arm wid di new technalagy
Equipped with new technology.
wi gettin more an more producktivity
We are becoming increasingly productive.
some seh tings lookin-up fi prasperity
Some say that things are looking up for prosperity.
but if evrywan goin get a share dis time
If everyone is going to have a share this time.
ole mentality mus get lef behine
The old mentality must be left behind.
wi want di shawtah workin day
We desire a shorter working day.
gi wi di shawtah workin week
Give us a shorter working week.
langah holiday
Longer holidays.
wi need decent pay
We need fair and decent wages.
more time fi leasha
More time to relax and unwind.
more time fi pleasha
More time for leisure and enjoyment.
more time fi edificaeshun
More time for personal growth and development.
more time fi reckreashun
More time for recreation and fun activities.
more time fi contemplate
More time for deep thought and reflection.
more time fi ruminate
More time to consider and ponder over things.
more time
We need more time.
wi need
We require.
more
Additional.
time
Time to accomplish things.
gi wi more time
Grant us more time.
a full time dem abalish unemployment
Full employment, abolishing unemployment.
an revahlushanise laybah deployment
Revolutionize the deployment of labor.
a full time dem banish ovahtime
Full employment, banishing overtime.
mek evrybady get a wok dis time
Ensure everyone has a job this time around.
wi need a highah quality a livity
We need a higher quality of life.
wi need it now an fi evrybady
We need it now and for everyone.
wi need di shawtah workin year
We need a shorter working year.
more time fi di huzban
More time for husbands.
more time fi di wife
More time for wives.
more time fi di children
More time for children.
more time fi wi fren dem
More time for friends and companions.
more time fi meditate
More time for meditation and mindfulness.
more time fi create
More time for creativity.
more time fi livin
More time for living.
more time fi life
More time for experiencing and enjoying life.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@2333lolo
Plus de temps pour le plaisir
Plus de temps pour l'édification
Plus de temps pour les loisirs
Plus de temps pour contempler
Plus de temps pour ruminent
Plus de temps , nous avons besoin de plus de temps
Un temps plein les abolir le chômage
Et révolutionner le déploiement du travail
Un temps plein les bannissent over- temps
Assurez-vous que tout le monde obtenir un travail cette fois-ci
Nous avons besoin d' une meilleure qualité de livity
Nous avons besoin maintenant et pour tout le monde
@JeholK
@@super_awsomecat6049 We're marching out the old towards the new century
Armed with the new technology
We're getting more and more productivity
Some say things looking up for prosperity
But if everyone is going to get a share this time
Old mentality must get left behind
We want the shorter working day
Give we the shorter working week
Longer holiday
We need decent pay
@sobrevivire6497
Wi mawchin out di ole towards di new centri
Arm wid di new technalagy
Wi gettin more an more producktivity
Some seh tings lookin-up fi prasperity
But if evrywan goin get a share dis time
Ole mentality mus get lef behine
Wi want di shawtah workin day
Gi wi di shawtah workin week
Langah holiday
Wi need decent pay
More time fi leasha
More time fi pleasha
More time fi edificaeshun
More time fi reckreashun
More time fi contemplate
More time fi ruminate
More time
Wi need
More
Time
Gi wi more time
A full time dem abalish unemployment
An revahlushanise laybah deployment
A full time dem banish ovahtime
Mek evrybady get a wok dis time
Wi need a highah quality a livity
Wi need it now an fi evrybady
Wi need di shawtah workin year
Gi wi di shawtah workin life
More time fi di huzban
More time fi di wife
More time fi di children
More time fi wi fren dem
More time fi meditate
More time fi create
More time fi livin
More time fi life
More time
Wi need more time
Gi wi more time
@mateolegba
Cómo no va ha tener la letra !!!! Wi mawchin out di ole towards di new centri
Arm wid di new technalagy
Wi gettin more an more producktivity
Some seh tings lookin-up fi prasperity
But if evrywan goin get a share dis time
Ole mentality mus get lef behine
Wi want di shawtah workin day
Gi wi di shawtah workin week
Langah holiday
Wi need decent pay
More time fi leasha
More time fi pleasha
More time fi edificaeshun
More time fi reckreashun
More time fi contemplate
More time fi ruminate
More time
Wi need
More
Time
Gi wi more time
A full time dem abalish unemployment
An revahlushanise laybah deployment
A full time dem banish ovahtime
Mek evrybady get a wok dis time
Wi need a highah quality a livity
Wi need it now an fi evrybady
Wi need di shawtah workin year
Gi wi di shawtah workin life
More time fi di huzban
More time fi di wife
More time fi di children
More time fi wi fren dem
More time fi meditate
More time fi create
More time fi livin
More time fi life
More time
Wi need more time
Gi wi more time
@sirdjorgostarcopper8735
I will never forget when I was stage security for this guy..it was in Stockholm and I was offered to smoke weed with him ..which I gladly did..it was a cool night..
@richardverdugo41
Awesome! I would have done the same!
@Katyayanibetha
Love that!
@djtone66
I once carried his luggage to the waiting taxi after a brief meet and greet backstage welcomed by Dennis Bovell It was a memorable experience!
@Standoff413
Big up Linton kwesi Johnson real rudeboy from day 1🔥🔥🔥🔥 baddest poet ever ...
And it’s true brother we need more time ...
@danielletsholo2037
very true!
@khaled87el64welid
Une icône du reggae le dub poet lkj .
@dongotchfazer9330
BLEESSING LKJ
@glorieetim9312
Real music! Very distinctive and unique !
@arabwakmessenger3426
Respect for bro' Linton
In 86'
No just inspiration
Is a guidance inna ideology and feeling Free Attitude necessary in this word
Jah live