Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, 'Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku" arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with 'Nyah Love' for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing".
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
Chant A Psalm
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good tidings I bring you
Hear ye a message to you my friend
Voices cry invoke your angels
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread no
So blow away your bluesy feeling
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
One foot in the grave is a foolish step to take (dancer)
Who sow in tears shall reap in joy
Wise man doctrines assure your safety
No more stumbling block back stabbers get down
To the righteous revealed
The secret of the scriptures
The wicked dem portion is vanity
Disciples of Lucifer
In your hands lie your destination
The book of true life you hold the key
Mystical powers to you unfold
Seek ye the half that has never been told
Get behind me Satan (in dis ya Armageddon)
I've got chant
Chant a psalm a day
Reach you in a vision yeah come on
Come walkie down easy street
Attract these angels in dreams and your prayers
Remember the three holy children
Remember the visions of Daniel
Remember the magic of Moses so
Dash away your bluesy feeling
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
One foot in the grave my friend
A foolish step to take
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread
Got to be wise yes yes in dis ya Iwa
Woe betide for the wicked
Disciples of Lucifer
Get behind me Satan (in dis ya Armageddon yeh)
I got to chant
Chant a psalm a day
Moses he did chant chant
Samson he did chant chant
Elijah he did chant chant
I want the whole a we fe chant chant
Solomon he did chant chant
His father King David chant chant
John the Baptist chant chant
I want the whole a we fe chant chant.
The lyrics of Steel Pulse's "Chant A Psalm" speaks of the power of positivity, hope, and faith in dealing with life's challenges. The song begins with a call for rejoicing and sharing of good tidings, followed by an encouragement to call upon one's angels in difficult times instead of succumbing to dread. It then presents wise man doctrines as a source of safety and points out the ultimate futility of wicked actions. The lyrics also highlight the idea that one's destiny lies in their own hands and that they have the power to unlock mystical powers by seeking the half of the truth that has not been told. The song calls for the banishment of negative feelings and reminds listeners that they should take the world off their shoulders. The lyrics end with a call to chant a psalm a day for inspiration and spiritual growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Rejoice rejoice
Let us celebrate and be happy
Good tidings I bring you
I have some good news to share with you
Hear ye a message to you my friend
Listen carefully to the message I have for you, my friend
Voices cry invoke your angels
You should call upon your guardian angels when you hear the voices crying out
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread no
Even though you may be under pressure, you should not let fear overcome you
So blow away your bluesy feeling
You should try to shake off your sadness and negative emotions
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
You should try to lighten the burden you carry on your shoulders
One foot in the grave is a foolish step to take (dancer)
It would be foolish to do something that risks your life
Who sow in tears shall reap in joy
If you work hard and endure difficult times, you will eventually reap the rewards
Wise man doctrines assure your safety
Following the teachings of wise men can help keep you safe
No more stumbling block back stabbers get down
There will be no more obstacles preventing you from moving forward, and dishonest people should not be trusted
To the righteous revealed
The truth will be revealed to those who are righteous
The secret of the scriptures
The true meaning behind the scriptures will be revealed
The wicked dem portion is vanity
The wicked will not receive any meaningful reward
Disciples of Lucifer
People who follow the ways of Lucifer
In your hands lie your destination
Your fate is determined by the choices you make
The book of true life you hold the key
You have the power to unlock the knowledge and wisdom contained in the book of life
Mystical powers to you unfold
You will gain access to mystical powers and abilities
Seek ye the half that has never been told
You should strive to learn and discover the hidden truths that have yet to be revealed
Get behind me Satan (in dis ya Armageddon)
I reject the ways of Satan and the end of the world is coming
I've got chant
I will keep chanting and singing
Chant a psalm a day
Sing a psalm every day
Reach you in a vision yeah come on
You will receive a message in a vision
Come walkie down easy street
You will have an easy and enjoyable journey
Attract these angels in dreams and your prayers
You can attract your guardian angels to you through your dreams and prayers
Remember the three holy children
Remember the story of the three children who were spared from the fiery furnace
Remember the visions of Daniel
Remember the prophetic visions that Daniel had
Remember the magic of Moses so
Remember the miracles that Moses performed
Dash away your bluesy feeling
Try to overcome your sadness and negative emotions
One foot in the grave my friend
You should not risk your life
A foolish step to take
It would be unwise to do something that could be dangerous
Got to be wise yes yes in dis ya Iwa
You must be wise in this turbulent world
Woe betide for the wicked
The wicked will be punished
I want the whole a we fe chant chant
I want everyone to sing and chant
Moses he did chant chant
Moses sang and chanted
Samson he did chant chant
Samson sang and chanted
Elijah he did chant chant
Elijah sang and chanted
Solomon he did chant chant
Solomon sang and chanted
His father King David chant chant
King David, Solomon's father, sang and chanted
John the Baptist chant chant
John the Baptist sang and chanted
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kwest1realbadman967
BlessUp sistren. Come rejoice, I sing with you...
Reach you in a vision yeah come on
Come walkie down easy street
Attract these angels in dreams and your prayers
Remember the three holy children
Remember the visions of Daniel
Remember the magic of Moses so
Dash away your bluesy feeling
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
One foot in the grave my friend
A foolish step to take
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread
@eddymanijean6794
Chant a Psalm
Steel Pulse
Rejoice, rejoice
Good tidings I bring you
Hear ye a message to you my friend
Voices cry invoke your angels
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread no
So blow away your bluesy feeling
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
One foot in the grave is a foolish step to take (dancer)
Who sow in tears shall reap in joy
Wise man doctrines assure your safety
No more stumbling block back stabbers get down
To the righteous revealed
The secret of the scriptures
The wicked dem portion is vanity
Disciples of Lucifer
In your hands lie your destination
The book of true life you hold the key
Mystical powers to you unfold
Seek ye the half that has never been told
Get behind me satan
Get behind me satan
I've got chant (Chant a psalm a day)
I want to chant (Chant a psalm a day)
I've got chant (Chant a psalm a day)
I want to chant (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
I reach, I reach, I reach, reach you in a vision yeh come on
Come walkies down easy street
Attract these angels in dreams and your prayers
Remember the three holy children
Remember the visions of Daniel
Remember the magic of Moses so
Dash away your bluesy feeling
Spirits say take the world off you shoulder
One foot in the grave my friend
A foolish step to take
When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread
Got to be wise yes yes in dis ya Iwa
Woe betide for the wicked
Disciples of Lucifer
Get behind me Satan
Get behind me Satan
Chant (Chant a psalm a day)
I've got chant (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Chant a psalm a day (Chant a psalm a day)
Moses he did (Chant, chant)
Samson he did (Chant, chant)
Elijah he did (Chant, chant)
I want the whole a we fe (Chant, chant)
Solomon he did (Chant, chant)
His father King David (Chant, chant)
John the Baptist (Chant, chant)
I want the whole a we fe (Chant, chant)
@troway6281
Steel pulse music is the hardest music style to understand at the first listen..
But guess what after a few listen you get pulled in more and more.. then.. eventually you become hooked....
These guys have really really good lyrics....
And the music is exotic, strange and mind blowing...
1st The lyrics get you then the music....
Never heard another band like them since...
Their live shows are theatrical educational and fantastic to watch...
This band is hypnotizing..
Once you get in their grip it's like on the event horizon of a black hole...
There's no escape, no tuning back....
Man what a band!!!!
@darienallen8215
1984 was a great year. At 14 I was introduced to STEEL PULSE. 2023 and I'm almost 53. TRUE DEMOCRACY will forever be irie. Can't imagine beating cancer for 15 years without it. Everyone out there try and expose this music to our youth. What a band!!
@asanteak79
Same year bro
@carlwilson1772
More power to you my friend. We are the same age. I also discovered this music then.
@Mateo-hu6nr
It’s also a good book
@dennismulenga9166
Was 12 years when introduced back in '84
@shandellleid6576
My dad passed a year ago and honestly every single time I need to be even closerrrr to him, I connect with music. It connects me to the most profound memories! 💔😔 last thing we did together was a jam session! Happy I can come here to relive my fav memories 🖤🖤🖤🖤
@waynemasey545
That's lovely
@TitusRobert-zu8qy
Sorry about his passing. I think of my mother almost everyday or week.. Music and the events I can remember about her, leaves beautiful memories we shared...Her death was painful. Take courage in Jah love. No one could comfort me when it happens suddenly. I wasn't even around. Made it even more painful.. But Jah came to my rescue.
@cedricsteki8620
Very same feeling here. Wanna here your jam now ! 💫🙏
@kenyas.stewart6864
May you find strength in the groove you shared. I feel the same way about my Mommie. I find our best memories in our musical moments. Best to you@