Having had his first smash while still just a teenager in the mid-80s, Papa San's phenomenal, ongoing reign on international music charts earned him the nickname Marathon Man, as it was not uncommon for him to simultaneously hold down several positions in the Top 10 at any given time, as well as to long runs at No.1 that still no reggae or Dancehall artist to date has surpassed.
In 1994 he filled dance floors around the world with The Programme, which also hit the top of the Billboard dance chart. Smash hits like I Will Survive, Legal Rights, Strange and Maddy Maddy Cry, among many others, brought Papa San a huge audience in all the Caribbean Islands and around the world in Japan, Europe, Africa, the U.S. and more throughout the 80s and 90s. In fact, before giving his life to the Lord and being baptized in the faith in 1997, Papa San was a popular figure in American rap circles, being credited as a pioneer by a host of rap superstars.
Later connecting with fans of American hip-hop, Papa San landed numerous videos in heavy rotation on MTV. More recently, he has made guest appearances and shared stages with Gospel Titans, the likes of Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Trin-t-ee 5:7, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, and BeBe & CeCe Winans.
Raised in Spanish Town, just outside of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, Papa San grew up in an environment where hard work and grinding poverty was the daily norm but fervent revelry ruled the weekends. Spearheaded by any neighborhood resident with charisma and a potent enough sound system, music, dancing and singing prevailed well into the wee hours of Friday and Saturday nights as the sounds of reggae blasted from P.A.s loud enough to be heard and felt for many city blocks. Papa Sans own father manned such a sound system every week dubbed Black Universe and his naturally gifted son soaked up the music like the Caribbean sun. The strains of reggae greats like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and John Holt were interspersed with a wide range of American pop and rock music, from venerable crooner Nat King Cole to disco diva Donna Summer, all adding additional color to young Papa Sans musical palette. By the age of only 12, he had already begun performing with artists more than twice his age, cultivating his prodigious gifts with words and music, with acclaim beyond his young imagination only a few years away.
Devotion
Papa San Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen dont waste your time
He is so divine
Known of all the time
Let your light shine
Sing along with us
When my tears fell into Your hands
From my eyes to my devotion
You are the reason I live
Listen Dont waste your time
He is so divine
Known of all the time
Let your light shine
Move it dancer
In the song "Devotion" by Papa San feat. Nicole Salmon, the lyrics focus heavily on devotion towards God. The opening line, "You are the reason I live," speaks to this devotion, emphasizing the importance of God in the singer's life. The song then goes on to implore the listener to not waste their time and recognize God's divinity. The line "Let your light shine" is a reference to Matthew 5:16, which states "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
The verses of the song touch on the idea of God taking away pain and sadness, leading to devotion and worship. The line "When my tears fell into Your hands" shows the intimacy of this relationship between God and the singer. Overall, the lyrics of "Devotion" encourage listeners to focus on their devotion to God and recognize His importance in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the reason I live
I exist because of you and my purpose in life revolves around you.
Listen dont waste your time
Pay attention and don't waste any precious moments.
He is so divine
He is perfect and holy.
Known of all the time
He is known and present throughout all of time.
Let your light shine
Allow the goodness and positivity within you to radiate outwards and influence others.
Sing along with us
Join in and unite with others in praising and worshiping God.
You took the pain from my heart
God has taken away the negative feelings and emotions within me.
When my tears fell into Your hands
God was there to comfort and console me during my lowest moments.
From my eyes to my devotion
My emotions and my dedication to God are interconnected and inseparable.
Move it dancer
Get up and dance to celebrate and express joy towards God.
Writer(s): 0, Tyrone Thompson
Contributed by Claire R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sonnenschein27
This song express at the heart who He is...and how wonderful and beautiful He (God almighty is)..so beautiful and anointed song.Thanks for posting this song.
@garvincharles314
I can't stop playing this song I could link up spiritual with this song going though trials right now but holding on praying and believing that he will take my tear away.
@kaymaeric7142
I used to wake to this @ my high skul, dem deyz 2006!....Jah bless papa San!
@nancytuyaa6089
Jesus I looked for this jam all over. Thank God I found today always jamming in matatu ROG crew ❤️❤️
@latashahitchman770
You are the reason i live...my God mi love You! Thank You Jesus...was not at Fun in the Sun 2018 but RE TV allowed me to experience God from the living room...I am bless.
@delishawrightofficial3850
I could feel the Love burning for my Savior, Jesus! Love you Lord!
@nicolahazle5364
This is truly a blessing
@kkpsprep5128
I just love this song. Who can stop my mouth from praising my God!
Blessing every time!
@angeladay1534
Oh, my GOD!!! I heard this song for the first time, just now! This ministered to me sooooooooooo much! I love it! 🌋📖💒🤗🤗🤗🤗
@sskiden
I really love this song. I can listen to it over and over and over again and not get tired of it.