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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)
Up with Hope
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a long time, he was a good man
I have known this judge
For a long time, he was a good man
I have known this teacher
For a long time, he was a good man too
But because of the drugs
They've been taking secretly
We cannot stand aside and look
While the nation is going down the drain
While the nation is going down the drain
Up with hope, down with dope
Up with hope, down with dope
Up with hope, down with dope
We cannot stand aside and look
While the nation is going down the drain.
We really, really cannot stand aside and look while the nation is going down the drain
Oh Yo
I am telling you now
Cocaine, no good for you
Liquor, no good for you
You go sniffling them glue
No good for you
They give it to you and say it's the sense of knowledge
But I known I've been around
For a while
I cannot stand aside
And look while the nation
And look while the nation
Is going down the drain
Oh yo yo yo
Up with hope, down with dope
The lyrics of Lucky Dube's song, Up with Hope, are a call to action against drug abuse and addiction. He starts by talking about good people such as a preacher, a judge, and a teacher, who have been driven to madness by drugs that they have secretly been taking. He then goes on to urge people to take a stand against the drug epidemic in their society. Lucky Dube is highlighting the detrimental effects of substance abuse and the damage it is causing to individuals and communities.
The repetition of the phrase "Up with hope, down with dope" is a powerful refrain throughout the song. It reinforces the message that drugs are not the way to a better life or a better society, and that it is only through hope and positive action that change can occur. The urgency in Lucky Dube's voice expresses the importance of taking control of the situation and not letting society spiral downward.
Overall, this song is a plea to everyone to be aware of the dangers of drugs and other substances that cause addiction. It is a reminder of the bigger picture, and how the actions of individuals can affect their communities and ultimately their entire society. It is a call for unity and for everyone to work together towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I have know this preacherman
I have known this religious leader for a long time
For a long time, he was a good man
For a long time, he was a virtuous and respectable man
I have known this judge
I have known this legal official
For a long time, he was a good man
For a long time, he was honest and fair in his decisions
I have known this teacher
I have known this educator
For a long time, he was a good man too
For a long time, he was dedicated to his job and his students
But because of the drugs
However, due to the influence of narcotics
They've been taking secretly
They have been indulging discreetly
Them are in loony houses today
They are now confined to mental institutions with mental disorders
We cannot stand aside and look
We cannot remain idle and indifferent
While the nation is going down the drain
While the existence of the nation is deteriorating
Up with hope, down with dope
Let's promote optimism and reject drugs
Up with hope, down with dope
Let's remain hopeful and eliminate drugs
Up with hope, down with dope
Let's have a positive attitude and reject drugs
We cannot stand aside and look
We cannot be inactive and observe passively
While the nation is going down the drain.
While the country is collapsing and decaying.
We really, really cannot stand aside and look while the nation is going down the drain
Indeed, we have to take action to prevent the country's decline
Oh Yo
Ad libitum vocalization
I am telling you now
I am warning you at present
Cocaine, no good for you
Cocaine is harmful to you
Liquor, no good for you
Alcohol is not beneficial to you
You go sniffling them glue
You huff glue
No good for you
It has a damaging impact on you
They give it to you and say it's the sense of knowledge
They provide it to you and persuade you that it increases your perception
But I known I've been around
But I am aware, as I have been present for a while
For a while
For a certain duration of time
I cannot stand aside
I cannot merely watch and do nothing
And look while the nation
And witness the collapse of the country
And look while the nation
And observe the degradation of the nation
Is going down the drain
Is disintegrating and deteriorating
Oh yo yo yo
Ad libitum vocalization
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUCKY PHILLIP DUBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Alman96
who's here in 2024?
@mansonsikela6061
The greatest story teller Africa ever had. And our own people got rid of him 😭Africa!!! Who bewitched you????
Sikela2024🇿🇲
@raymondaiworo1398
2018/2019...2020..2021..2022...2023...forever.
@adolpheniyibizi4252
I am here Mogadishu now at 17h53 , Saturday 08/01/2022 enjoying his raggae music. R.I.P my legend 🙏🙏😭😭😭😭
@ismael-isaackainda2021
2022 ❤️🇳🇨👌🥰
@domboshavabusinessenterpri7369
I was here 2022 November
@anastaseanastase9571
@@adolpheniyibizi4252 10p111pp
@anastaseanastase9571
@@adolpheniyibizi4252 111a¹1
@ahmekfatal2864
i have knwn this man for along tym,he was a good😭😭😭😭😭easy rest ur beautiful soul legend evry day without you life is sad in away but u left wat u did best🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
@almamydarboe7288
,,,