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Lucky Dube (born August 3, 1964, died October 18, 2007) was a reggae musician from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was named Lucky because when he was born in poor health, and the doctors thought he would die. But he survived, so was named Lucky. In his youth, Lucky lived with many different family members, singing in bars and in church. He eventually formed a band with some friends, but they could not afford to purchase instruments. Eventually, Lucky wrote a play which he and his bandmates performed, earning enough money to buy a guitar. Their band was then called Skyway, and they played in the mbaqanga style.
Two years after Skyway's formation, Lucky joined Richard Siluma's Love Brothers. He stayed with them for several years, before switching to reggae in the early 1980s. His first major success in that field came at the influential Sunsplash festival in Jamaica.
Lucky's "Together as One" was the first song by a black artist to be played on a white radio station in South Africa. His two most popular albums, Prisoner and Slave, are among the most renowned and best-selling in South Africa's history. One of Lucky's favourite singers was the late Peter Tosh.
On the 18th of October 2007, Lucky was shot dead in an attempted car jacking in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discography
Rastas Never Dies
Think About The Children
(The Above Two available on 2on1 - Lucky Dube Rastas Never Dies/Think About The Children (2000))
Slave (1989)
Prisoner (1990)
Together as one (1992)
House of exile (1992)
Captured Live (1993)
Victims (1993)
Trinity (1995)
Serious reggae business (1996)
Taxman (1997)
The Way It Is (1999)
The Rough Guide To Lucky Dube (2001)
Soul Taker (2001)
The other side (2005)
Respect (2006)
Running Falling
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is calling out your name
In the middle of the night
Your eyes go wide
I see your legs are shaking
You don't believe it's happening
Oppressor man, yeah
It's not the end of your life
But it's the end of your kingdom
It's not the end of your life
But it's the end of your shitty kingdom
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Down pressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
You run for your gun
To your surprise, it's empty
'Cause we had those bullets for breakfast
Jah children did yeah, yeah, yeah
Teargas
Won't make me cry anymore
Your handcuffs won't hurt my arms
Anymore
It's not the end of your life
But it's the end of your kingdom
It's not the end of your life
But it's the end of your shitty kingdom
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling, yeah, yeah (Falling)
I won't do to you
What you did to my people, yeah
Four hundred years ago (Four hundred years)
Turning them to slaves
Making them your prisoners, I said
I won't do to you
What you did to my people, yeah
Four hundred years ago (Four hundred years)
Making them your slaves, I say
Turning them to your prisoners
You can run, but you can't hide
Your time has come now, now, now
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running, running, running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling, yeah, yeah (Falling)
Oppressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
I can see you running, running, running, running, running (Running)
But you know it's falling, falling, falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, you running (Running)
Your kingdom is falling (Falling)
You never just-a-run away (you running (Running) (You know you running running)
'Cause your kingdom is falling (Falling)
Downpressor man, downpressor man, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Running)
Yeah man, downpressor man, he gonna run
A-run, a-run, a-run
Downpressor man
Go run, a-run, a-run
Downpressor man
Go run, a-run
The song "Running Falling" by Lucky Dube is a powerful message to the oppressor man or those in power who subjugate, oppress, and suppress others. The lyrics speak of someone being called out in the middle of the night, shaking with fear as they realize that their kingdom is falling. Lucky Dube emphasizes that it is not the end of life, but the end of a system that has been harmful to others. The lyrics also mention how the oppressor runs for their gun only to find it empty, as Jah's children have used the bullets to fight back against their oppression. Lucky Dube further emphasizes that he will not treat the oppressor as they did to his people, turning them into slaves and prisoners. The song concludes with the oppressor running away as their kingdom falls.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released on Lucky Dube's album Soul Taker in 1990. Lucky Dube was a South African reggae musician who was known for his lyrics that spoke to the struggles as well as the hopes and dreams of the black South African. He began his music career in the 1980s, and throughout his career, he released more than 20 albums, many of which criticized the oppressors of South Africa’s apartheid regime. Lucky Dube died on October 18, 2007, after being shot by carjackers in Johannesburg.
Another interesting fact is that Lucky Dube's music was banned by the apartheid government for speaking against the oppressive regime. Despite the ban, his music continued to thrive underground, spreading throughout South Africa and other African countries, and eventually reaching a global audience.
"Running Falling" is one of Lucky Dube's most popular songs and has been covered by several artists, including the South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Chords for "Running Falling" by Lucky Dube are not readily available. However, the song is in the key of G minor, and the song's melody features use of the G minor pentatonic scale.
Line by Line Meaning
Something somewhere
There is a force out there that is beyond our control
Is calling out your name
You are being summoned to face your destiny
In the middle of the night
This force will come for you when you are least expecting it
Your eyes go wide
You will be afraid when you realize the gravity of the situation
I see your legs are shaking
You are frightened by the thought of what is to come
You don't believe it's happening
You are in denial about the truth of your situation
Oppressor man, yeah
You are a person who oppresses others
Don't tell me you are scared now
You cannot claim ignorance or innocence anymore
It's not the end of your life
You will not die, but you will suffer greatly
But it's the end of your kingdom
Your power and control are coming to an end
But it's the end of your shitty kingdom
Your corrupt and oppressive system is finally collapsing
You run for your gun
You will try to defend yourself, but it will be futile
To your surprise, it's empty
You will come to the realization that you have been outsmarted
'Cause we had those bullets for breakfast
Your enemies are better prepared and equipped than you ever were
Jah children did yeah, yeah, yeah
Those who were oppressed are now fighting back with strength and determination
Teargas
Your attempts to subdue your enemies have failed
Won't make me cry anymore
Your tactics no longer work on those who have risen against you
Your handcuffs won't hurt my arms
Your attempts to imprison those who defy you are no longer effective
Anymore
Your reign of oppression is over
I won't do to you
Those who have suffered under you will not seek revenge
What you did to my people, yeah
They will not stoop to your level of cruelty and violence
Four hundred years ago (Four hundred years)
The history of oppression and brutality goes back centuries
Turning them to slaves
Your ancestors saw fit to enslave others for their own gain
Making them your prisoners, I said
You have continued this legacy of oppression and control
You can run, but you can't hide
You will try to escape, but justice will find you eventually
Your time has come now, now, now
The reckoning is here and it cannot be avoided
I can see you running, running, running, running, running (Running)
You are panicked and desperate
But you know it's falling, falling, falling (Falling)
You know that your power is slipping away
Downpressor man, downpressor man, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Running)
You are a person who brings others down and now you are experiencing the same fate
Yeah man, downpressor man, he gonna run
You are running from your own mistakes and the consequences that come with them
A-run, a-run, a-run
You are trying to flee your problems but they will follow you wherever you go
Downpressor man
You are a tyrant and oppressor who is now facing the consequences
Go run, a-run, a-run
You are trying to escape your fate but it is only delaying the inevitable
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OliverBJah-nq6fq
2023, still sounds fresh. The wicked regimes in Africa will lose grip very soon.
@thomaswafula6663
No vampire shall prevail over Jah children
@sylverkizinna7547
Like it was written by the teacher of life only yesterday...thank you...guitars wailing the pain....music always somehow healing....Lucky Dube you Are the best !!! ❤ !!!love and blessings...❤
@viviansmith5224
Live on legendary 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤😢 thanks for creating wisdom paths for me and my generation, knowing how to live with one another forever ❣️♾️🎉 cheers guys with love always Shuntustaff from Sierra Leone, West Africa 🌍
@qedezakhemkhwanazi8664
I used to play this song when things were tough in South Africa even today
@user-gi1ze1df8s
2024 is our 1994
@samuelwepiahaloko5862
Down oppressor man your kingdom is falling and crumbling. Forever in our hearts lucky dube.🙏🙏
@akichukwumaokoye5038
What a voice, am having goose bumps. Even birds, yes, I mean birds do pause and listens when this brother sings. Multi- instrumentalist, super entertainer, inspirational and an accomplished global mega star. R.I.P my brother.
@kensiejoseph6189
V
@ositamarc7549
I am short of words about your facts Aki...tears..God is alive.