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.
Jah Dub Version
Prince Far I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
»Sattya bwa«: no more war
»Sattya bwa« means peace
No more demagog rules, man
»Sattya bwa«: »Peace«
in african language
So you are the one, who came here to mash up the place, eh?
War is over
How good and how pleasant it is
For Rema-ites
Jungle-ites
Peanelities, Lizard Town-ites
To dwell together
War is over
Natty dread come over
I-man know that after a storm
There is must be a calm
Why man, the Bible no write himself
You know is a man, write the Bible, eh?
That mean someone wrong but not the
Bible, yeh
War is over
Natty dread come over
Demagog rules mean: war
»Sattya bwa« mean »peace«
In african language
Senor, you are the one, who came here to mash up the place, eh?
»Son, don't take your guns to town
Come here no more, fudale clown in town«
Boy
You have to be smart like an Anancy-man.
The lyrics of Prince Far I's song Jah Dub Version are a call for peace and an end to war. The song criticizes the demagogic leadership that reigns over the land and associates it with conflict and violence. The phrase "Sattya bwa" is introduced as a remedy to this situation, which means peace in an African language. The song asserts that the demagogic rule is the root of the problem and that it must be replaced by a peaceful and just leadership.
The chorus of the song invites the "Natty dread" to come over, signaling a unity among the people in search of peace. The different groups mentioned, Rema-ites, Jungle-ites, Peanelities, and Lizard Town-ites, are urged to dwell together, symbolizing the need for solidarity and collaboration towards a common goal. The lyrics also reference the Bible, suggesting that it is not the book itself but the interpretation and use of it by humans that can lead to violence and conflict.
In the end, the song encourages the listeners to be smart and avoid violence, using the example of Anancy, a character from African folktales known for his wit and cunning. Overall, Jah Dub Version is a powerful message of hope and unity that emphasizes the need for peace and an end to conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Demagog rules mean: war
The reign of a political leader with oppressive or unreasonable principles often leads to conflicts and violence
»Sattya bwa«: no more war
The phrase 'Sattya bwa' is a call for an end to war and conflict
»Sattya bwa« means peace
The phrase 'Sattya bwa' is a symbol of peace
No more demagog rules, man
A plea to abolish unjust or manipulative leadership in order to restore peace
»Sattya bwa«: »Peace« in african language
The phrase 'Sattya bwa' is an expression that refers to the concept of peace, originating from an African language
So you are the one, who came here to mash up the place, eh?
A rhetorical question directed towards those who disrupt the peaceful coexistence of different communities
War is over
A proclamation that the time of conflict has ended
Natty dread come over
A call for those with 'natty dread', a hairstyle of Rastafarian origin, to join the call for peace
How good and how pleasant it is
An expression of joy and contentment at the prospect of peace and harmony
For Rema-ites
A reference to the residents of the Rema district
Jungle-ites
A reference to the residents of the Jungle district
Peanelities, Lizard Town-ites
References to the residents of the Peanel and Lizard Town districts
To dwell together
The vision for different communities to live together in peace and unity
I-man know that after a storm
A acknowledgment that turbulent and troubled times will pass
There is must be a calm
Peace will eventually follow after periods of conflict and chaos
Why man, the Bible no write himself
A reminder that human beings authored religious texts such as the Bible, and therefore, have the ability to interpret them in a variety of ways
You know is a man, write the Bible, eh?
A statement that the Bible was written by humans, rather than a divine being
That mean someone wrong but not the Bible, yeh
Acknowledgement that while human errors exist, the religious texts themselves are not necessarily flawed
Senor, you are the one, who came here to mash up the place, eh?
A rhetorical question directed towards those who disrupt the peaceful coexistence of different communities
»Son, don't take your guns to town
Come here no more, fudale clown in town«
An appeal to leave behind violence and conflict and embrace peace
Boy
An expression of frustration at the actions of those who seek to cause disruption
You have to be smart like an Anancy-man.
A reminder to be resourceful and wise in navigating the complexities of life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DWAYNE CARTER, BRYAN WILLIAMS, J. SHUTE, TRISTAN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind