Bunny Lee first recorded Far I in the early 70's with a tune called "The Great Booga Wooga". He went on to cut tunes for Coxsone, notably "Natty Farmyard" and a version of "Queen of the Minstrel". In 1973 the Cordell's "Simpleton" appeared on the Lion label, with the flip being a strange half-sung half-chanted version by the Prince entitled "Simpleton Skank". In 1974 he voiced "Let Jah arise" for Enos McLeod at King Tubbys, and it is Enos who can be credited with renaming the DJ as Prince Far I. After some self-productions which appeared on Pete Weston's Micron outlet, Prince Far I hit a period which included two of reggae's greatest DJ albums. Firstly the "Psalms for I" collection, a straight chant of bible word. The second landmark album was "Under Heavy Manners" for producer Joe Gibbs, engineered by Erroll Thompson. It contained the Prince's first big Jamaican hit single, "Heavy Manners", on the rhythm of Naggo Morris' "Su Su Pon Rasta".
In 1976 Prince Far I set up his own label in Jamaica -- Cry Tuff. That label issued Far I's productions in Jamaica. His UK business ran through the fledgling label Hit Run, created by Adrian Sherwood. This arrangement was almost one of master and pupil, as the Arabs/Roots Radics became Dub Syndicate with Sherwood learning the studio craft as both producer and engineer. The rhythm tracks were laid in Jamaica by Style Scott & Co, the mix and overdubs taken care of in London. "Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter III" by Prince Far I and the Arabs was originally released in the UK by that most avuncular of record shop proprietors Keith Stone of Daddy Kool. It marked the handing on of the producer's baton from Far I to Sherwood, soon to launch On U Sound at a time when many critics considered reggae to be a finished force.
Prince Far I was shot dead in Jamaica, September 15, 1983.
Hold The Fort
Prince Far I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say, We hold the fort
Seh, We hold the fort
Seh, We hold the fort
For I have come,
Hold the fort
For I have come,
'Cause you no see Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah signal a-waving over there
You no see Jah signal
You no see Jah signal a-waving over there
You no see Jah signal
They say, We hold the fort
They say, We hold the fort
'Cause a after a prince there a must be a king
After a prince there must be a...
Said, a who are di prince
They said, a who are di prince?
The prince of Reggae music
The prince of Reggae music
A Prince Far I
Prince Far I
Prince Far I
Prince Far I
Rastafari
Prince Far I
Hold the fort, for I have come
'Cause the third world gone and the fourth world begun
The fourth world even(?) now
'Cause you no see Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
Waving on the fort
Waving on the fort
Me seh, We hold the fort,
Prince Far I a come
Hold the fort,
Prince Far I a come
You no see Jah signal
Said, a after a prince there a must be a king
After a prince
Said, a who a di prince of Reggae music?
A who a di prince of Reggae music?
A Prince Far I
A Prince Far I
Chant rock that I am, yah, I tell you
Yes, I, true
Hold the fort
Said a third world ha' ended
They say, The third world ha' ended
And the fourth world come
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah signal a-waving over there
You no see Jah signal
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
Said, We hold the fort
I said, We hold the fort
Prince Far I a come
Seh, hold the fort
Prince Far I a come
The lyrics of Prince Far I's song "Hold The Fort" contain a powerful message and call to action. The repeated phrase "We hold the fort" is used as a rallying cry for the oppressed and marginalized people of the third world. The song encourages listeners to recognize and respond to the signs of Jah's signal, which represents the divine call to resist colonialism and oppression. The phrase "hold the fort" is used metaphorically to represent the need to maintain a position of strength and determination in the face of adversity.
The song also references Prince Far I himself, who is described as the prince of reggae music. This not only highlights the artist's own significance but also emphasizes the power and importance of reggae music as a tool for resistance and social change. The lines "After a prince there must be a king" and "Prince Far I a come" suggest that Prince Far I sees himself as just the beginning of a movement of resistance and liberation.
Through its repeated lyrics and emphasis on Jah's signal, "Hold The Fort" creates a sense of urgency and solidarity among its listeners. It is a reminder that the struggle for liberation and justice is ongoing and requires constant vigilance and action.
Line by Line Meaning
They say, We hold the fort
It is said that we are in control and will hold the position
Seh, We hold the fort
I declare that we will hold the position
For I have come, Hold the fort
I have arrived, so we must hold the position
Seh, We hold the fort
I declare once again that we will hold the position
'Cause you no see Jah signal
You are blind to the signs of Jah
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
You are blind to the obvious signs of Jah
'Cause you no see Jah signal a-waving over there
The signs of Jah are evident, yet you still don't realize it
You no see Jah signal
You are unable to recognize the signs of Jah
They said, a who are di prince?
Who is the one recognized as the prince?
The prince of Reggae music
The one known as the prince of Reggae music
Prince Far I
The person in question is Prince Far I
Rastafari
An affirmation of the Rastafari movement
Hold the fort, for I have come
Maintain the position, I am here now
'Cause the third world gone and the fourth world begun
The old world is gone and a new world has emerged
The fourth world even(?) now
Even the fourth world has now come forth
Waving on the fort
The signal of Jah is present at the position held
Me seh, We hold the fort,
I declare that we hold the position
Prince Far I a come
Prince Far I is now present
Said, a after a prince there a must be a king
After a prince, there must be a king to follow
A who a di prince of Reggae music?
Who is recognized as the prince of Reggae music?
A Prince Far I
The person in question is Prince Far I
Chant rock that I am, yah, I tell you
I am a chant rocker and I am telling you
Yes, I, true
Yes, it is true
Said a third world ha' ended
The end of the old world has been declared
'Cause you no see Jah-Jah signal
You are unable to recognize the obvious signs of Jah
I said, We hold the fort
I declare again that we hold the position
Seh, hold the fort
I declare once again that we must hold the position
Prince Far I a come
Prince Far I is now present
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL LEOPOLD WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind