Prince Far I was born Michael James Williams in Spanish Town, Jamaica in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Prince Far I was born Michael James Williams in Spanish Town, Jamaica in 1945. In his teens he assumed the role of lead DJ with the Sir Mike the Musical Dragon Sound System.

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.

Ten Commandments
Prince Far I Lyrics

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These are the Ten Commandments
Were given by Jah unto Moses
On the table of stone
The Ten Commandments

Commandment One: Thou shalt have no other god but one God, one God
Commandment Two: Thou shalt have no graven image of God
Commandment Three: Thou shalt not call the Lord thy God's name in vain. God

The Lord thy God will not hold thee guiltless that taketh his name in vain

Commandment Four: Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy, holy, holy.
Commandment Five: Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be
Long upon this land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Commandment Six: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.

Commandment Seven: Thou shalt not commit adultery, adultery.
Commandment Eight: Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not steal.
Commandment Nine: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Commandment Ten: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, nor anything.

Not his house, nor anything.
That were the Ten Commandments
Given to inspiration
By Prince Far I

Rastafari!
Rastafari!
Commandment One: Thou shalt have no other god but one God, one God
Commandment Two: Thou shalt not bring no graven image unto I, bow down(??)

Nor worship them ?
Commandment Three: Thou shalt not take the Lord thy God's name in vain. God
The Lord thy God will not hold thee guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Commandment Four: Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy, holy, holy.

Commandment Five: Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be
Long upon this land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Commandment Six: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.
Commandment Seven: No adultery, no adultery.

Commandment Eight: Thou shalt not steal.
Commandment Nine: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Commandment Ten: Thou shalt not inovate thy neighbour's goods, nor thy
House, nor anything.

These were the Ten Commandments

Overall Meaning

In Prince Far I's song "Ten Commandments," he sings about the ten commandments given by Jah to Moses on the table of stone. He begins by reciting the commandments, emphasizing the first one which states that one should have no other gods but one God. He then moves on to the second commandment which prohibits the creation and worship of graven images of God. The third commandment cautions against taking the Lord's name in vain, as it is a sin that will not be forgiven.

The fourth commandment reminds us to keep the Sabbath day holy, while the fifth one stresses the importance of honoring one's parents. The sixth commandment is famously known as "Thou shalt not kill," and the seventh prohibits adultery. The eighth commandment is "Thou shalt not steal," while the ninth warns against bearing false witness against one's neighbor. The final commandment tells us not to covet our neighbor's belongings, including their house and anything else they own.

Prince Far I's song is a powerful reminder of the importance of these commandments and their relevance in modern times. He emphasizes the need for people to follow them and suggests that doing so will lead to a better and more fulfilling life. Through his unique style of reggae music and his compelling lyrics, he creates a timeless piece that speaks to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Line by Line Meaning

These are the Ten Commandments
This is a list of ten rules given by Jah to Moses on a table of stone.

Commandment One: Thou shalt have no other god but one God, one God
There is only one God, and you shall not worship any others.

Commandment Two: Thou shalt have no graven image of God
Do not create or worship any image of God.

Commandment Three: Thou shalt not call the Lord thy God's name in vain. God
Do not use God's name carelessly or for false purposes.

The Lord thy God will not hold thee guiltless that taketh his name in vain
Using God's name in vain will have consequences.

Commandment Four: Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy, holy, holy.
Remember the Sabbath day and make it sacred.

Commandment Five: Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be Long upon this land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Respect and honor your parents so you may have a long life in the land God gives you.

Commandment Six: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.
Do not cause harm or take someone's life.

Commandment Seven: Thou shalt not commit adultery, adultery.
Do not cheat on your partner.

Commandment Eight: Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not steal.
Do not steal or take what does not belong to you.

Commandment Nine: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Do not lie about your neighbor.

Commandment Ten: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, nor anything. Not his house, nor anything.
Do not want what your neighbor has, including their property or belongings.

That were the Ten Commandments Given to inspiration By Prince Far I
Prince Far I was inspired to share these commandments.

Rastafari!
A call to acknowledge and respect Rastafari beliefs.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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