Nasio was the youngest of seven children born to a Carib Indian mother and father of African descent, in the village of Carte-Bois, Dominica. The family lived in a one room wooden country house without running water or electricity. Before heading off to school, Nasio and his brothers and sisters walked miles to the Gwiyo River to fetch fresh water for the household.
When he was eight years old, Nasio began singing in the Bagatelle school and the village Catholic church. Nasio had a habit of making instruments out of everything he could find. "My Dad, Atto, made my very first instrument, a piece of board with fishing lines for strings; it meant everything to me." According to the village residents, Nasio was often the highlight of the annual school talent shows, and "a blessing to listen to".
Nasio’s musical inspiration comes from Rastafari but on the earthly plane, reggae greats such as Culture’s Joseph Hill, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller and of course Bob Marley. He is also influenced by Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Curtis Mayfield, and Dominican Cadence music, like Chubby and the Midnight Groovers. He is very focused on what his music is saying, the message he wants to portray.
In the mid-1980s, Nasio moved from Dominica to the hustle and bustle of the island of St. Maarten where he recorded his first 12" single Born to Be Free (1986) and EP Babylon is Falling (1990). His first full length CD Reggae Power (1994) was followed by Wolf Catcher (1997) and Revolution (1999). He soon became a sensation by the power of the music and word of mouth alone.
Lovers of reggae music throughout the world know Nasio’s name, his voice and his conscious lyrics. He speaks of revolution, of waking up the sleeping consciousness of oppressed and freedom loving people across the Earth. In his own words, “the music is important; I want my music to be my contribution to the people of the world.” The world of Reggae and indeed the world of music needs a new voice, get ready to be "Living in the Positive" with Nasio Fontaine.
African Spirit
Nasio Fontaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh my African spirits
Looking over I
You guide and protect I
Oh my African Spirits
Beg you guide and protect I
I beg you protect I, InI
Of InI forefathers
Ini Arise, I arise
Out of the chains
And fetters that bound I
Well, InI Arise InI Arise, I Arise
You're the same
That has been before
And you're the same
That shall be again
That shall be again
Again and Again
Oh my African Spirits
Looking over I
Mama African Spirits
You guide and protect I
Oh my African Spirits
Please my African Spirits
Beg you guide and protect I
I beg you protect I
Oh my African Spirits
Beg you guide and protect I
Beg you protect I, pretect InI
Out of the Ashes
Of my Ancestors
InI Arise, InI arise, I Arise
Out of "Congo Rey", "Jacko" and "Balla"
Well InI arise, InI Arise
I beg you protect I
Oh mighty thunderable one
You are the Core of my Existence
Oh yes you are,
Ohhy, you same that has been before
And you're the same
That shall be again,
Well, shall be again
Oh my African spirits
Looking over I
You guide and protect I
Oh my African Spirits
Yes my African Spirits
Beg you guide and protect I
Beg you protect I
Oh my African spirits
Lord my African Spirits
Beg you guide and protect I,
Beg you protect I, InI, Lord
Guide Me on my going outs
Uuhh, protect me on my coming ins
Lord I pray ohhy, yes I pray
Oh! Na, na, na, na, na.
Oh you mighty one of the ancient times
You're part of me, like I'm part of you
Yes, I'm part of you
The first line of the song, "Spirits! Spirits! Spirits!", is a call out to African spirits, asking for their guidance and protection. Nasio Fontaine then repeatedly sings to his African spirits, asking them for guidance and protection, and expressing his gratitude for their presence in his life. He talks about how these spirits have been a part of him since the bones of his forefathers and the ashes of his ancestors. He sees the spirits as the core of his existence and the same force that has been before and will be again.
The repetition of "InI Arise" represents the rising up of the African people, overcoming their oppressors and breaking free from the chains and fetters that bound them. "Congo Rey", "Jacko", and "Balla" are most likely references to African leaders and conquerors who fought for freedom and equality. Nasio Fontaine pleads with his spirits to protect him in his going outs and coming ins, indicating his reliance on them for guidance and support in his daily life.
Line by Line Meaning
Spirits! Spirits! Spirits!
The singer is calling upon the spirits.
Oh my African spirits
The singer is addressing the African spirits.
Looking over I
The spirits are watching over the singer.
You guide and protect I
The spirits act as guides and protectors for the artist.
Beg you guide and protect I
The artist is begging the spirits to guide and protect him.
I beg you protect I, InI
The singer is pleading with the spirits to protect him.
Out of the bones
The singer is emerging from the remains of his ancestors.
Of InI forefathers
The ancestors being referred to are the artist's forefathers.
Ini Arise, I arise
The artist is rising up, awakening.
Out of the chains
The artist is breaking free from the chains that held him.
And fetters that bound I
The fetters that bound the singer's movement and freedom are being lifted.
Well, InI Arise InI Arise, I Arise
The artist is fully embracing his awakening and emergence.
You're the same
The spirits have remained the same throughout history.
That has been before
The spirits are as ancient as time and have been present throughout history.
And you're the same
The spirits remain unchanged.
That shall be again
The spirits will continue to exist in the future, just as they have in the past.
That shall be again
The spirits will continue to exist in the future, just as they have in the past.
Again and Again
The spirits will always be present, repeatedly.
Mama African Spirits
The singer is emotionally referencing the African spirits.
Please my African Spirits
The artist is asking for the help of the African spirits.
Yes my African Spirits
The artist confirms and acknowledges the African spirits.
Oh mighty thunderable one
The artist is addressing a specific, powerful spirit.
You are the Core of my Existence
The spirit is deeply rooted within the singer's existence.
Oh you same that has been before
The artist acknowledges the eternal existence of the spirits.
That shall be again,
The spirits will always be present, repeatedly.
Well, shall be again
The spirits will continue to exist in the future, just as they have in the past.
Guide Me on my going outs
The singer is asking the spirits to guide him as he goes out into the world.
Uuhh, protect me on my coming ins
The artist is asking the spirits to protect him as he returns home.
Lord I pray ohhy, yes I pray
The artist is fervently praying to the spirits.
Oh! Na, na, na, na, na.
The singer is making sounds of emotional expression.
Oh you mighty one of the ancient times
The singer is addressing a powerful and ancient spirit.
You're part of me, like I'm part of you
The artist feels a deep connection to the spirits.
Yes, I'm part of you
The artist confirms the connection he feels towards the spirits.
Contributed by Miles H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roland Nesta Marley
Brother Nasio is unbelievable. He brings tears to my eyes and cracks my heart as he tells me the only truth about me and us, and fights for me against black and white evil oppressors in government and politics. We must continue to spread the message of freedom for Africa and world peace. Reggae is the way. God be with Nasio.
@yvestapaybouazo9587
Nasio Fontaine Remains A Great Man Who Deserves More International Recognition!
@etranzeixenos9367
I got tears in my eyes everytime i listen to this
@mohammedsalifu4292
greetings n blessing to all but blacks in toronto <scarborough wants to kill me for Africa been dirt
@stormyweather4489
Exactly! Talking real right! Me too
@stormyweather4489
Me too! Truly spiritually felt through the soul!
@MegaIcemankimi
Je ne m'en lasse jamais de cette chanson... Un 10/10 +1 point de bonnus. Le meilleur reaggaman de l'histoire!!!
@mutebirazak4968
This man is far better than all reggae artistes who are still alive
@vivianmorales3010
Straight from my island The big and bad wolf catcher the best Nasio fontain himself. Live spirit live. Forever Spirit of Africa, Forever Waitikubuli, forever Nasio💚🧡❤🦋
@marygroeneveld7087
one love from Ghana.I pray with this song everyday because the lyrics are powerful.