Sizzla, along with reggae recording artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, and Anthony B, are credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music by recording material which is concerned primarily with spirituality, social consciousness, explores common themes, such as Babylon's corrupting influence, the disenfranchisement of ghetto youth, oppression of the black nation and Sizzla's abiding faith in Jah and resistance against perceived agents of oppression. Sizzla has over 40 full completed albums sold in record stores to date, the most popular which have been "Black Woman & Child" and "Da Real Thing" on the Digital B label, "Praise Ye Jah" on Xterminator, and "Rise to the Occasion" on Greensleeves.
Recently, however, he has come under fire for the homophobic content of many of his lyrics, and the advocacy of violence against gays.
Can't Cool Can't Quench
Sizzla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ah Emperor Selassie I
Ah him we hail ow
The ancient of days never coil
Rastafari love prevail ey
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Redder judgment ah tell yuh
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aw Babylon
Den how is it you get your food to eat
And yet you find it hard
To feed another youth that come up at your feet
Den how is it you always ah strive
And yet you find it hard
Fi show another ghetto youth how fi survive
That's why ah King Selassie I we'll praise
Run go tell Pharaoh him city dey go blaze
Me know ah King Rastafari dey pon he throne
Babylon we dey dash brimstone
Da one ya name
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Black parents ey
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk ey
Can't cool can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Redder judgment
The ghetto you put down inna the pit
Dem judge and dem jury just ah grin and ah grit
And all dem police and them soldier say dem really unfit
The sniper dem bring say him nah shoot and miss
The Black rights kingdom stand for equal rights and justice
Eh true human rights well ah government no miss
Rastafari did know say PJ ah the false and hypocrites
And dem ah go bring Bruce Golding fi make ah big devil switch
Well Rasta drop Seaga inna the bottomless pit
Nah follow the evil mama gonna spank you real quick
Well dash another fire pon John public
Me tell uno cease from uno war and wickedness
Inna fornication ink dem gun finger dem go dip
And ah chat bout dem ah voter hot wine dem ah sip
Me say red gold and green inna every district
And Ethiopia bear the witness
This ah wha da name
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Redder judgment ah tell yuh
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aww aw
Yea man and Black people should know that it is slavery
Why we are here in Jamaica the western world you know
See me ah show you say yea man
It is written in the book of Britain and America
That it was only I n I the Black Ethiopian
That were taken out of Black Africa, you know
Illegal yes captives, you know slave children
And brought us down here in Jamaica
And all small islands of the British, West Indies into slavery
Onto this day say the most high Selassie I Jah Rastafari
Rastafari know
Me tell dem say ah innocent blood ah spill
Fi the arc of the covenant Babylon ah kill
They want Rasta thrown them no got no power nor will
They want dada crown mama pearl and jewel
I tell you say the scepter shall not depart until
The golden globe with the simple earth fill
This man was born here prophecy dey fulfill
Stretch your hand to Ethiopia Mount Zion ill
You never get the win coulda never get it nil
And ah tell yuh dis ah lick down Babylon like a power drill
Well Pharaoh them ya fire cyar chill
Repatriation Babylon me melt yuh will
Then da ya name
Cyar cool, cyar quench
In the song "Can't Cool Can't Quench" by Sizzla, he asserts his Rastafari beliefs and praises Emperor Selassie I for his eternal love. He emphasizes that the everlasting burning fire of Rastafari love can never be extinguished by Babylon, no matter how hard they try. Sizzla speaks about the injustice and oppression faced by the ghetto youths and the struggle of Black people everywhere. He questions why Babylon "find[s] it hard" to give back to the community and show love to their fellow human beings. He also mentions several political figures, criticizing the false and hypocritical actions of some leaders and praising others for their commitment to equal rights and justice.
Sizzla's lyrics in "Can't Cool Can't Quench" encourage a sense of pride, hope, and resilience among Black people. He emphasizes the power of the Rastafari movement and the importance of fighting against oppression and injustice. Sizzla also stresses that despite the hardships faced by Black people, they must stand together and continue to fight for their rights and freedoms.
Overall, "Can't Cool Can't Quench" is a powerful Rastafari anthem that speaks to the struggle and perseverance of Black people. Through the song, Sizzla encourages listeners to take action against the systemic oppression and discrimination faced by those in the Black community.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna show them, yea man
Declaring intention to show something to others.
And ah Emperor Selassie I
Referring to Emperor Selassie I.
Ah him we hail ow
Hailing Emperor Selassie I.
The ancient of days never coil
Emperor Selassie I is ancient and powerful.
Rastafari love prevail ey
Rastafarian love is powerful.
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Referring to an unquenchable fire.
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Talking to Babylon, a term for oppressive forces.
Redder judgment ah tell yuh
Harsher judgment will come.
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Ethiopia is a personal desire.
Aw Babylon
Again, talking to Babylon.
Den how is it you get your food to eat
Asking Babylon how they are able to feed themselves.
And yet you find it hard
Questioning why Babylon has difficulty feeding others.
To feed another youth that come up at your feet
Referring to a lack of support for young people.
Den how is it you always ah strive
Questioning why Babylon continuously pursues power.
Fi show another ghetto youth how fi survive
Encouraging Babylon to help ghetto youth.
That's why ah King Selassie I we'll praise
Stating the reason for praising Selassie I.
Run go tell Pharaoh him city dey go blaze
Announcing that Pharaoh's city will burn.
Me know ah King Rastafari dey pon he throne
Stating that Rastafari is on the throne.
Babylon we dey dash brimstone
Condemning Babylon to damnation.
Can't cool can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Expressing an intense desire for Africa.
Black parents ey
Reminding everyone of black parents.
The ghetto you put down inna the pit
Referring to ghetto oppression.
Dem judge and dem jury just ah grin and ah grit
Judges and juries are unconcerned.
And all dem police and them soldier say dem really unfit
Condemning police and soldiers as unfit.
The sniper dem bring say him nah shoot and miss
A sniper refuses to miss his target.
The Black rights kingdom stand for equal rights and justice
Referring to the kingdom of the black people.
Well ah government no miss
Governments must take action.
Rastafari did know say PJ ah the false and hypocrites
Accusing PJ of being false and hypocritical.
And dem ah go bring Bruce Golding fi make ah big devil switch
Referring to a political issue.
Well Rasta drop Seaga inna the bottomless pit
Referencing Seaga's fate.
Nah follow the evil mama gonna spank you real quick
Encouraging people to reject evil quickly.
Well dash another fire pon John public
Condemning the public to more suffering.
Me tell uno cease from uno war and wickedness
Encouraging everyone to stop fighting and being wicked.
Inna fornication ink dem gun finger dem go dip
Condemning gun ownership during sinful acts.
And ah chat bout dem ah voter hot wine dem ah sip
Referencing voting habits.
Me say red gold and green inna every district
Desiring the presence of Rastafarianism everywhere.
And Ethiopia bear the witness
Ethiopia is the witness.
Cyar cool, cyar quench
Referring again to the unquenchable fire.
Yea man and Black people should know that it is slavery
Discussing the history of slavery.
Why we are here in Jamaica the western world you know
Wondering how black people ended up in Jamaica.
See me ah show you say yea man
Stating intent to show Jamaica something.
It is written in the book of Britain and America
Referring to the history of black people's enslavement.
That it was only I n I the Black Ethiopian
Stating that only black Ethiopians were enslaved.
That were taken out of Black Africa, you know
Confirming that black people were taken out of Africa.
Illegal yes captives, you know slave children
Describing the nature of slavery.
And brought us down here in Jamaica
Describing Jamaica's role in the slave trade.
Onto this day say the most high Selassie I Jah Rastafari
Referring to Rastafarianism's persistence.
Me tell dem say ah innocent blood ah spill
Reminding everyone of innocent bloodshed.
Fi the arc of the covenant Babylon ah kill
Condemning Babylon for killing the covenant.
They want Rasta thrown them no got no power nor will
Declaring that Babylon can't defeat Rastafarianism.
They want dada crown mama pearl and jewel
Condemning Babylon's desire for power and wealth.
I tell you say the scepter shall not depart until
Stating that the scepter of power will remain.
The golden globe with the simple earth fill
Describing the power of gold.
This man was born here prophecy dey fulfill
Referring to prophecy fulfillment.
Stretch your hand to Ethiopia Mount Zion ill
Encouraging people to stretch towards Ethiopia.
You never get the win coulda never get it nil
Condemning Babylon's inability to win.
And ah tell yuh dis ah lick down Babylon like a power drill
Promising to destroy Babylon.
Well Pharaoh them ya fire cyar chill
Pharoah's suffering will not end.
Repatriation Babylon me melt yuh will
Referring to Babylon's end.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Dixon, Miguel Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ismael Goros
Gonna show them
Yea man
And ah Imperor Selassie I
Ah him we hail, ow
The ancient of days never coil
Rastafari love prevail, hey
Can't cool, can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool, can't quench everlasting burning fire
Redder Judgement ah tell yuh
Can't cool, can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool, can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aww Babylon
Den how is it you get your food to eat
And yet you find it hard
To feed another youth that come up at your feet
Den how is it you always ah strive
And yet you find it hard
Fi show another ghetto youth how fi survive
That's why ah King Selassie I we'll praise
Run go tell Pharaoh him city dey go blaze
Me know ah King Rastafari dey 'pon he throne
Babylon we dey dash brimstone, da one ya name
Can't cool, can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool, can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Black parents ey
Can't cool, can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk ey
Can't cool, can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Redder Judgement
The ghetto you put down inna the pit
Dem judge and dem jury just ah grin and ah grit
And all dem police and them soldier say dem really unfit
The sniper dem bring say him nah shoot and miss
The black rights kingdom stand for equal rights and justice
Eh true human rights well ah government no miss
Rastafari did know say PJ ah the false and hypocrites
And dem ah go bring Bruce Golding fi make ah big devil switch
Well Rasta drop *Seaga inna the bottomless pit
Nah follow the evil mama gonna spank you real quick
Well dash another fire 'pon John public
Me tell unno cease from unno war and wickedness
Inna fornication ink dem gun finger dem go dip
And ah chat 'bout dem ah voter hot wine dem ah sip
Me say red gold and green inna every district
And Ethiopia bear the witness, this ah wha da name
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Redder Judgement ah tell yuh
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aww aw
Yea man and black people should know that it is slavery
Why we are here in Jamaica the western world you know
See me ah show you say yea man
It is written in the book of Britain and America that it was only
I and I the black Ethiopian that were taken out of black Africa you know
Illegal yes captives you know slave children and brought us down here
In Jamaica and all small islands of the British West Indies into slavery
Onto this day say the most high Selassie I Jah Rastafari
Rastafari know
Me tell dem say ah innocent blood ah spill
Fi the arc of the covenant Babylon ah kill
They want Rasta thrown them no got no power nor will
They want dada crown mama pearl and jewel
I tell you say the sceptre shall not depart until
The golden globe with the simple earth fill
This man was born here prophecy dey fulfil
Stretch your hand to Ethiopia Mount Zion ill
You never get the win coulda never get it nil
And ah tell yuh dis ah lick down Babylon like a power drill
Well Pharaoh them ya fire cyar chill
Repatriation Babylon me melt yuh will
Then da ya name
Cyar cool cyar quench💥🔥🔥🔥🌍🌍🌴🌴🍁💥
KingPacients
Gonna show them, yea man
And ah Emperor Selassie I
Ah him we hail ow
The ancient of days never coil
Rastafari love prevail ey
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Redder judgment ah tell yuh
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aw Babylon
Den how is it you get your food to eat
And yet you find it hard
To feed another youth that come up at your feet
Den how is it you always ah strive
And yet you find it hard
Fi show another ghetto youth how fi survive
That's why ah King Selassie I we'll praise
Run go tell Pharaoh him city dey go blaze
Me know ah King Rastafari dey pon he throne
Babylon we dey dash brimstone
Da one ya name
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Black parents ey
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk ey
Can't cool can't quench Africa my true heart desire
Redder judgment
The ghetto you put down inna the pit
Dem judge and dem jury just ah grin and ah grit
And all dem police and them soldier say dem really unfit
The sniper dem bring say him nah shoot and miss
The Black rights kingdom stand for equal rights and justice
Eh true human rights well ah government no miss
Rastafari did know say PJ ah the false and hypocrites
And dem ah go bring Bruce Golding fi make ah big devil switch
Well Rasta drop Seaga inna the bottomless pit
Nah follow the evil mama gonna spank you real quick
Well dash another fire pon John public
Me tell uno cease from uno war and wickedness
Inna fornication ink dem gun finger dem go dip
And ah chat bout dem ah voter hot wine dem ah sip
Me say red gold and green inna every district
And Ethiopia bear the witness
This ah wha da name
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon yuh wrenk yah
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Redder judgment ah tell yuh
Can't cool can't quench everlasting burning fire
Babylon get drench yah
Can't cool can't quench Ethiopia my true heart desire
Aww aw
Yea man and Black people should know that it is slavery
Why we are here in Jamaica the western world you know
See me ah show you say yea man
It is written in the book of Britain and America
That it was only I n I the Black Ethiopian
That were taken out of Black Africa, you know
Illegal yes captives, you know slave children
And brought us down here in Jamaica
And all small islands of the British, West Indies into slavery
Onto this day say the most high Selassie I Jah Rastafari
Rastafari know
Me tell dem say ah innocent blood ah spill
Fi the arc of the covenant Babylon ah kill
They want Rasta thrown them no got no power nor will
They want dada crown mama pearl and jewel
I tell you say the scepter shall not depart until
The golden globe with the simple earth fill
This man was born here prophecy dey fulfill
Stretch your hand to Ethiopia Mount Zion ill
You never get the win coulda never get it nil
And ah tell yuh dis ah lick down Babylon like a power drill
Well Pharaoh them ya fire cyar chill
Repatriation Babylon me melt yuh will
Then da ya name
Libragurl
The chant by sizzla and the humming by the background vocalist are fire ....I love to hear the melodies coming together.
Ace Scafe
Proud to be a born Jamamerican Jamaica will always be number one in my heart. 🇯🇲
Sandrina Daniel
Upppppppp
sher
Reggae artists are such unsung heroes. Listen to the speech at the end of the song! He's going hard! Just brilliant and talented!
Luda Christ
sherene young we do get our credit..unsung?Dont small up the thing
Isaac 444
So true
Dannah Henderson
Yes yes yes! That speech
TOS Gaming
They don't Air who speaks the cold hard truth
Black is Amazing
This song is prophetic, one of Sizla's best, in his prime
Høtz Williams
"Seize from your wars and wickedness" 🗣️🔥🔥🔥💯.