He first began recording in 1982 regularly teaming up with Ranking Roger of The Beat (sometimes referred to outside the UK as The English Beat). Pato also appeared as a guest artist on UB40's 1985 album "Baggariddim".
His solo debut was 1987's "Never Give In". An EP entitled "Visions Of The World" followed in 1988, and in 1990 came "Wize Up (No Compromise)" which featured a cover of The Police's "Spirits In The Material World".
Throughout this time, Banton continued to be known only in reggae circles and it was not until 1994's collaboration with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40 on "Baby Come Back" that Pato thrust himself into the mainstream. He followed this with a string of hits including "Bubbling Hot" (teaming up with Ranking Roger again), "Groovin", a re-issue of "Spirits in the material world" and a guest appearance on a remixed and re-released version of Sting's "This Cowboy Song".
Following his brief period of mainstream success, Pato returned to his reggae roots and has since released 3 more albums. He continues to be much loved and currently tours in America and all over the world.
Are You Ready
Pato Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loaned to human beings for use during a material lifetime.
And as they use this mind they are either accepting
Or rejecting the potential of eternal existence. Selah.
Are you ready? Yow yow yow hear me now!
Are you ready? Lord I really gotta know!
Are you ready? People hear me when I say!
When I take a look around Lord knows it's a shame
Many people in the world take life for a game.
Achieving vanity seems to be their main aim
So listen while I make things plain... Again.
Nobody is perfect we all have to pray
For Jah to give us strength anytime that we stray.
But woe unto those who don't feel anyway
To do the same bad things everyday. Hey!
Sometimes me have to sit down and seriously wonder
What kind of influence certain people them under.
Loot - shoot - persecute the youth - pillage and plunder
Forgive them Jah them blunder.
Me tell them once, twice even thrice and again
But some like to keep their brains in material chains.
Doing the wrong thing giving the devil the blame
But satan's in a satellite jail... With no bail.
The court is in session and the heavens are silent
The angel Gabriel is preparing his statement.
If you refuse the father of all existence
The sentence is non existence... Woe.
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
You running and you running and you.
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
Can't run away.
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
Can't run away from yourself.
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
People in the city.
If you don't believe me check the words of Christ
He said: "I am The Way The Truth and The Life".
Turn your back on the rock and you must pay the price
If you wise you woulda take me advice... Twice.
Before it's too late do the right thing
Free yourself from the bondage of evil and sin.
Repent of your ways to the King of kings
I know Jah will forgive everything.
Emancipate - elevate - dedicate - consecrate - regenerate
Oh Jah! It would be great if everyone would step trough the gate...
Celebrate!
What you are today is not so important
As what you are becoming day by day and in eternit
The lyrics to Pato Banton's song "Are You Ready?" address the concept of mortality and the potential for eternal existence. The opening lines describe the human mind as a temporary intellect system, only lent to us for use during our material lifetime. As we use our minds, we either accept or reject the potential of eternal existence.
The song then asks "are you ready?" repeatedly, questioning whether or not the listener is prepared for judgment day. Pato Banton observes that many people in the world seem to take life as a game and focus on achieving vanity as their main aim. He acknowledges that nobody is perfect and that we all pray for strength from Jah (God) when we stray. However, he warns that those who don't feel any remorse for their bad actions will face consequences.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of influence and responsibility. Pato Banton makes it clear that he believes people are accountable for their own actions and that they cannot blame the devil for everything. He encourages listeners to do the right thing, free themselves from the bondage of evil and sin, and repent to the King of kings, knowing that Jah will forgive everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Mortal mind is a temporary intellect system
The human intellect is temporary and only lent to humans during their physical life
Loaned to human beings for use during a material lifetime.
The intellect is only available during a material lifetime
And as they use this mind they are either accepting
As humans use their intellect, they must decide whether to accept
Or rejecting the potential of eternal existence. Selah.
or reject the possibility of eternal existence
Are you ready? Yow yow yow hear me now!
Questioning if the listener is prepared for what's coming
Are you ready? Lord I really gotta know!
Asking if the listener is prepared and ready to face judgement day
Are you ready? People hear me when I say!
Requesting that the audience pays attention and is ready
Ready for your judgement day!
Be prepared for the day when your actions are judged
When I take a look around Lord knows it's a shame
When observing the world, it's disappointing to see
Many people in the world take life for a game.
Many people treat life as if it's just a game
Achieving vanity seems to be their main aim
Their primary goal is to seek recognition and admiration
So listen while I make things plain... Again.
Listen closely to the message being shared
Nobody is perfect we all have to pray
No one is perfect and everyone needs to pray
For Jah to give us strength anytime that we stray.
To ask for strength from Jah when we stumble
But woe unto those who don't feel anyway
Those who feel no remorse for their actions will suffer
To do the same bad things everyday. Hey!
Continuously committing the same bad deeds without change
Sometimes me have to sit down and seriously wonder
There are moments when one must reflect and wonder
What kind of influence certain people them under.
The influence some people are under is concerning
Loot - shoot - persecute the youth - pillage and plunder
Some commit violent and harmful actions against the young
Forgive them Jah them blunder.
Ask Jah to forgive those who make mistakes
Me tell them once, twice even thrice and again
Trying multiple times to share a message
But some like to keep their brains in material chains.
Some choose to be trapped in materialistic habits
Doing the wrong thing giving the devil the blame
Blaming the devil for their wrongdoing
But satan's in a satellite jail... With no bail.
Satan is trapped in jail and can't escape
The court is in session and the heavens are silent
The final judgement is coming and the heavens are still
The angel Gabriel is preparing his statement.
The angel Gabriel is preparing to provide his testimony
If you refuse the father of all existence
If you deny the existence of the father
The sentence is non existence... Woe.
The punishment is non-existence and despair
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
No pity is shown for those who commit injustice
You running and you running and you.
There's no escape from it
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
No pity is shown for those who commit injustice
Can't run away.
There's no way to escape facing the consequences
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
No pity is shown for those who commit injustice
Can't run away from yourself.
You can't escape from yourself, your actions define you
There's no pity for iniquity there's no pity.
No pity is shown for those who commit injustice
People in the city.
Injustice is present in cities
If you don't believe me check the words of Christ
To confirm the message, look at what Christ said
He said: "I am The Way The Truth and The Life".
Christ asserted that he is the path to truth and life
Turn your back on the rock and you must pay the price
To reject the important foundation will have consequences
If you wise you woulda take me advice... Twice.
It's wise to heed this advice and take it seriously
Before it's too late do the right thing
Act in the correct way before it's too late
Free yourself from the bondage of evil and sin.
Break free from the destructive cycle of evil and sin
Repent of your ways to the King of kings
Ask for forgiveness from the ruler of all rulers
I know Jah will forgive everything.
Jah is forgiving and will forgive any transgressions
Emancipate - elevate - dedicate - consecrate - regenerate
Emancipate yourself by elevating your mindset, dedicating yourself to righteousness, consecrating your life, and regenerating your spirit
Oh Jah! It would be great if everyone would step trough the gate...
It would be wonderful if everyone sought Jah's path
Celebrate!
Rejoice in Jah's love and guidance
What you are today is not so important
Your current status is not the most important thing
As what you are becoming day by day and in eternity.
What you become every day and in the long term is more important
Contributed by Hudson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
robdog0606
Nicely done!!!
Timo Greenwald
You can't run away