Effortlessly combining folk, reggae, soul and blues, the singer/songwriter/guitarist , Patrice, exploded onto the music scene with his phenomenal testimonial debut Lions E.P in 1999 aged just 18. With the deep lyrical content and social conscience resonating within his work, Patrice alludes to his late father (a Sierra Leonian political activist and poet) and Bob Marley as the greatest influences on his music. Lions, with its tales of love and social rhetoric coupled with raw acoustic production, perfectly showcased Patrices distinctive fusion of lyrics, sounds and genres. After supporting Lauryn Hill on her much acclaimed Miseducation of Tour, Patrice released his critically acclaimed first album Ancient Spirits in 2000 (European sales in excess of 150,000)
Since 2001, Patrice has toured relentlessly and wooed audiences at gigs across Europe, USA and Africa. Whether solo, acoustic or with his band Shashamani, a big combination of humour, B-boy stage antics, and incredible musicianship have thus far made Patrices live shows a highlight of his career. Five years on, his reputation has been cemented with show stopping headline performances alongside Youssouf N'Dour in Senegal, Manu Chao and Damon Albarn at The Festival In The Desert and the Tamika Reggae Awards in New York amongst many others.
His second largely self produced album How Do You Call It (released in Europe September 2002) saw Patrice evolving his sound with a rich melange of Hip Hop, Soul and Reggae which underpinned twelve well crafted songs. Recorded over a two-month period in Jamaica and with 3 tracks produced in London with Cameron McVey, Massive Attack, Youssouf N'Dour, Andu Baraganescu and Neneh Cherry, How Do You Call It further cemented his unique niche in todays diverse musical landscape. The LP also spawned the Pan European hit Sunshine.
Nile, Patrice's third and most current album (named after the river Nile, representing Life in the African continent) is truly a bold undertaking and can be described as a work of astounding maturity, sincerity and sensitivity. Whether rocking to the amped guitar, explosive drums and African percussion behind Africanize Dem or soaking up the beautiful rendition of the obscure Wailers track It Hurts To Be Alone it's clear that experimentation has lent his work an undeniable urgency and freshness. The present single Soulstorm has provided Patrice with another European hit. The majority of 2005 was spent performing to sell out audiences throughout Europe which included his first headlined show for all the UK fans at The Borderline, in London, and perhaps the pinnacle of his career so far, playing in front of the 6,000 fans who filled out the Zenith in Paris. In the summer of 2006 Patrice released a live DVD which gives the audience an exclusive look at how Nile was recorded, rehearsed and performed throughout the world.
Jah Jah Deh Deh
Patrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh
Yes him deh deh
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh
Well again again
Ooh na na na na na na na
Tell me is it dem or is it me?
Is it the bird which diggin ina da tree?
Is it the fish which swimin ina da sea?
Is it the willow which carry birds and breeze
No it's none of dem things indeed
Is rather fi dem Babylon technology
A rather dem sky scrapers a na fi dem street
At de nervecentre a fi dem city
Where mindslaves a run tings for we
But Patrice Lumumba na go rest in peace
Steven Biko na go rest in peace
Kwame Nkrumah na go rest in peace
Marcus Garvey na go rest in peace
Malcolm X na go rest in peace
And Mahatma Gandhi na go rest in peace
Burying thier bodys was like burying seeds
in a fi we baby I can see dem creap
And in dem fi mothers I can see dem weep
Out of dem mouth de sufferer
I can hear them scream
Here dem scream!
Jah Jah deh deh
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh
Yes him deh deh
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh
Well again again
Ooh na na na na na na na
The things you are own and up owning you
The things you are clone and up cloning you
The things you showing and up showing you
Any time you a fling a stone it and up hitting you
The things you are processing and are processing you
You claim say you a progress but you na progress for true
You claim say you a blessed but you a cursed for true
'Cos what comes first is last in you
Jah Jah deh deh
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh yes him deh deh
No matter way dem a say
Jah deh deh well again again
Ooh na na na na na na na
Tell me is it dem or is it me
Is it the bird which diggin ina da tree
Is it the fish which swimin ina da sea
Is it the willow which carry birds and breeze
Oh No it's none of dem things indeed
is rather fi dem Babylon technology
A rather dem sky scrapers a na fi dem streets
at de nervecentre a fi dem city
Where mindslaves a run tings for we
But Patrice Lumumba na go rest in peace
Yo Markus Garvey na go rest in peace
Mhhh Nkrumah na go rest in peace
The lyrics of Patrice's song Jah Jah Deh Deh speaks about the presence of Jah, the universal spirit, no matter what others may say or do. The verse mentions different natural elements, such as the bird in the tree, the fish in the sea, and the willow carrying birds and breeze, to assert that Jah is present in everything around us. However, the song also highlights the negative impact of Babylon technology, such as skyscrapers and mind control, and how they are overpowering the natural world, leading to the oppression and suffering of people, as illustrated by the mention of the death of various leaders like Patrice Lumumba, Steven Biko, Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Mahatma Gandhi.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Jah deh deh" to emphasize the constant presence of Jah, even amidst the chaos and tyranny of the modern world. The lyrics suggest that people must recognize Jah's presence, resist the influence of Babylon technology, and prioritize the well-being of nature and humanity to achieve true progress and peace.
Overall, Patrice's Jah Jah Deh Deh is a poignant call-to-action through melodic rhythms and carefully chosen words, urging the listener to reflect upon the state of the world and take action to protect it.
Line by Line Meaning
Say Jah Jah deh deh
Acknowledge that Jah Jah (God) is always present and watching over us
No matter way dem a say
Regardless of what others say or believe
Yes him deh deh
Indeed, Jah Jah is always present and watching over us
Well again again
Repeatedly reminding oneself of Jah Jah's presence
Ooh na na na na na na na
Vocalization to express deep feeling and emotion
Tell me is it dem or is it me?
Asking who is responsible for the current state of things
Is it the bird which diggin ina da tree?
Questioning if animals are more capable of maintaining balance than humans
Is it the fish which swimin ina da sea?
Questioning if marine life has more harmony and peace than humans
Is it the willow which carry birds and breeze
Questioning if nature has a greater understanding of peace and tranquility than humans
No it's none of dem things indeed
Rejecting the idea that nature and animals are responsible for human problems
Is rather fi dem Babylon technology
Pointing out the negative impact of technology on human society
A rather dem sky scrapers a na fi dem street
Highlighting the inequality and imbalance of power in urban areas
At de nervecentre a fi dem city
Identifying the center of power and control in cities
Where mindslaves a run tings for we
Referring to the dominant force of societal pressure on individuals to conform and serve a certain agenda
But Patrice Lumumba na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased Congolese Prime Minister's legacy and perseverance in the face of colonial oppression
Steven Biko na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased South African anti-apartheid activist's legacy and perseverance in the face of oppression
Kwame Nkrumah na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased Ghanaian revolutionary leader's legacy and perseverance in the face of colonialism
Marcus Garvey na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased Jamaican political leader and activist's legacy and perseverance in the face of racism
Malcolm X na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased American Muslim minister and human rights activist's legacy and perseverance in the face of racism
And Mahatma Gandhi na go rest in peace
Acknowledging the deceased Indian independence leader's legacy and perseverance in the face of colonialism
Burying thier bodys was like burying seeds
Suggesting that the deceased activists' legacy will continue to grow and inspire others
in a fi we baby I can see dem creap
Noting that the legacy of these activists can be seen in future generations
And in dem fi mothers I can see dem weep
Noting the emotional impact of these activists' legacies on those who loved them
Out of dem mouth de sufferer
The words of those who are oppressed
I can hear them scream
Amplifying the voices of the oppressed who are crying out for justice
The things you are own and up owning you
The material possessions and attachments that one has can eventually consume them
The things you are clone and up cloning you
The habits and tendencies that one replicates can define them
The things you showing and up showing you
The external image and persona that one presents can become their identity
Any time you a fling a stone it and up hitting you
Metaphorically, one's actions and intentions will ultimately affect themselves
The things you are processing and are processing you
The thoughts and emotions that one experiences can deeply impact them
You claim say you a progress but you na progress for true
Challenging the notion of progress and pointing out the lack of real change in society
You claim say you a blessed but you a cursed for true
Challenging the idea of blessings and suggesting that society is plagued with problems
'Cos what comes first is last in you
Highlighting the importance of inner values and morals over external success and status
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICE BART-WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheTruthfly
The things wha' you a own end up owning you,
the things wha' you a clone end up cloning you.
The things wha' you a show end up showing in you
any time you a fling a stone it end up hitting you.
The things wha' you possess end up possessing you
you claim seh you a progress
but you na progress fi true.
You claim seh you are so blessed
but you are cursed fi true,
cos what comes first, last in you
<3
@halbydelbleizin8087
j'écoutais ça a 14/ 15 ans j'en ai 31 , d'incroyables souvenirs d'été remontent avec ma bande de potes sur ma petite île <3
@nimenialturo
ar fi mai de apreciat care asculta muzica de calitate sa o ....asculte nu sa se dueleze .... daca patrice fura de la manu chao sau de ce John Butler Trio nu se compara cu The Cat Empire personal orice recomandare o gasesc binevenita orice gest de superioritate muzicala a cuiva asupra altcuiva il resping Long Live LIVE Music
@granmastervoic
The man is infinite wisdom... 'Let us rise up so high' 'Jah people hear my cry' 'Let us take our stands and join our hands!' !!! Bob Marley na go rest in peace!
@ptmGREEN
patrice e incomparabil....are propria lui stil....la fiecare melodie te face sa te simti bine.....pace!!!!
@Doomsdrake
Er hats einfach drauf !!! Fast jeder song vom ihm ist hammer
@nimenialturo
ar rade si damian marley si patrice la comparatii de genul asta apreciaza piesa asa cum e si nu compara degeaba good music is good music . period .
@CharlyneNesta
Ses chansons sont énormes. Ses concerts, sont encore plus énormes !
@mikec.4519
tmtc
@directedbyKOOZA
big up form Poland :-)! Jah Bless !
@Ehorujin
Sheer Quality, what a legend.