From the rugged green mountains of Dominica a passionate manifestation of R… Read Full Bio ↴From the rugged green mountains of Dominica a passionate manifestation of Rastafari comes forward in reggae. His name is Nasio Fontaine and his music has the power to flow into your consciousness and lift your energy. His voice has an unmistakable resonance and his lyrics speak to all Jah children.

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.

Black and Comely
Nasio Fontaine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Who! Yo! Go! Yo! Goy!
Uhhmm uhmm who uhh
Don't try deny me
Because of the color of my skin
Don't look down upon me
Cause the sun
Hath looked upon me
You hate and discriminate

Just because we black and comely
Because we're proud we black
We black and comely
Who ho huhh!
Your discrimination
Couldn't bring you change
Man I told you it couldn't
Racism and your hate
Still remains the same
Hatred never left you
Lies and bigotry
Couldn't bring you change
Ohwa no! no! no!
Four hundred gone
And you're still the same
What a shame, shame, shame, shame
Ho! Ho! Uhh
Pride and prejudice
Couldn't bring you change
Racial injustice
Stil lremains the same
Hate never left you
We tired of you
Racist public execution
You wann play down the blame
Your racial discrimination
Is a shame, shame, shame, shame
Don't try deny me
Because of the colour of my skin
Don't look down upon me
Cause the sun
Hath looked upon I
You hate and discriminate
Just because we're black and comely
Because we're proud we black
We black and comely
Oh uh yeah, oh yeah, yeah!
Lord have mercy upon them I say yeah!
Cry blood, can't hide the truth

Don't try deny me
Because of the colour of my skin
Don't look down upon me
Cause the sun
Hath looked upon I
You hate and discriminate
Just because we're black and comely
Because we're proud we're black
We black and comely

Thank God we're proud we're black
We're black and comely

Overall Meaning

The song "Black and Comely" by Nasio Fontaine speaks to the issue of racism and discrimination that black people face worldwide. Nasio is expressing his feelings of being discriminated against because he is black. His plea is that people should not judge him and others based solely on the color of their skin. Nasio is aware that this is a significant problem and knows that he is not alone in his struggles. He encourages people to accept and recognize that black people are beautiful and should not experience discrimination.

The lyrics of the song reflect the persistence of hate and discrimination, urging people to change their ways. Nasio acknowledges that people hate and discriminate because of the color of his skin, but this attitude couldn't bring about a change. The anger and resentment inside remain the same. Nasio encourages the black people to be proud of their skin color, despite the negative treatment they might receive from others. He emphasizes that black people should not mask their identity just because people judge them based on their skin color. He is hoping for a world where people can live together in harmony, where the color of one's skin is not a barrier to unity and happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

Who! Yo! Go! Yo! Goy!
The song starts with an exclamation of encouragement

Uhhmm uhmm who uhh
The singer seems to be gathering his thoughts

Don't try deny me Because of the color of my skin Don't look down upon me Cause the sun Hath looked upon me You hate and discriminate Just because we black and comely Because we're proud we black We black and comely
The singer is expressing his defiance of racial discrimination and pride in his blackness

Who ho huhh!
The singer is expressing his enthusiasm and passion for the cause

Your discrimination Couldn't bring you change Man I told you it couldn't Racism and your hate Still remains the same Hatred never left you Lies and bigotry Couldn't bring you change Ohwa no! no! no!
The singer is criticizing those who discriminate based on race, and expressing his disappointment that their attitudes have not changed despite efforts to combat racism

Four hundred gone And you're still the same What a shame, shame, shame, shame Ho! Ho! Uhh Pride and prejudice Couldn't bring you change Racial injustice Still remains the same Hate never left you We tired of you Racist public execution You wann play down the blame Your racial discrimination Is a shame, shame, shame, shame
The singer is referencing the history of slavery and expressing frustration that racism persists in modern times, criticizing those who refuse to take responsibility for their discriminatory actions

Thank God we're proud we're black We're black and comely
The singer is reaffirming his pride in his blackness and encouraging others to do the same

Oh uh yeah, oh yeah, yeah! Lord have mercy upon them I say yeah! Cry blood, can't hide the truth
The singer is expressing his frustration and sadness about the persistence of racial discrimination, and calling for mercy and justice

Writer(s): Hopeton Earl Hibbert, Nasio Fontaine

Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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