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.
Grab Education
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spa dap spap spa dap spa let me (scat)
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell You something
As I was passing
I heard children laughing
I turned 'round and said
Oh children the fruit of the womb
And one day
This world will be yours soon
Oh children the fruit of the womb
There are things that you must know
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa let me
Let me tell you something
Oh children the fruit of the womb
The candle of hope
Lighting up this darkness
Out of the world of guilt
Comes spirits of the innocent yeh
I people dem scatter
Help dem come to oneness
Conic little ones come we get strong
Suffer not to madness no
Help dem come to oneness
Conic little ones come we get strong
Suffer not to madness no
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell you something
Grab education my children
Higher meditation my children
Healing of the nation my children
Build your foundation my children
Be no stepping stones
No back slider
Oh children the fruit of the womb
Not everyone is made of sugar and spice
Woo woo and everything nice
Real life ain't no nursery rhyme
Babylon a cotch pon a very thin line
The games they play to trick up your mind
To keep us under all the time yeh
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell you something
Grab education my children
Higher meditation my children
Healing of the nation my children
Build your foundation my children
So much motherless go astray
And all I can do is pray
So much fatherless go astray
And all I can do is pray.
"Grab Education" by Steel Pulse is a song with a strong message about the importance of education. The song highlights the innocence of children who are the fruits of the womb and the need for them to be equipped with knowledge that will make them stand firm as adults in the future. The chorus of the song is a repetitive phrase that emphasizes the need for the message to be heard by all. The playful tone and the use of scatting in the chorus create a rhythmic effect that complements the message of the song.
The song also highlights the challenges that children face and the role of education in addressing these challenges. The lyrics mention the need for higher meditation and healing of the nation, which suggests that the song is not only about academic education but also about moral education. The song also makes a reference to the games played by the ruling class to keep people under their control, suggesting that education is a means of liberation.
In conclusion, "Grab Education" by Steel Pulse is a song about the importance of education and its role in shaping a better future. The song highlights the innocence of children, the challenges they face, and the need for them to be equipped with knowledge that will make them stand firm as adults in the future. The use of the chorus and scatting creates a rhythmic effect that complements the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was passing
While passing by
I heard children laughing
I heard the sound of children laughing
At the school yard gates
They were near the gates of the schoolyard
I turned 'round and said
I turned to them and spoke
Oh children the fruit of the womb
Children are the result of reproduction
And one day
Someday in the future
This world will be yours soon
The world will be their responsibility soon
There are things that you must know
You need to learn certain things
Oh children the fruit of the womb
Children are the result of reproduction
The candle of hope
A source of hope
Lighting up this darkness
Bringing light to a dark situation
Out of the world of guilt
From a world filled with guilt
Comes spirits of the innocent yeh
Innocent spirits arrive
I people dem scatter
People are scattered
Help dem come to oneness
Help them unite
Conic little ones come we get strong
Join us and become strong
Suffer not to madness no
Do not let madness happen
Grab education my children
Acquire education
Higher meditation my children
Meditate to a higher level
Healing of the nation my children
The healing of the nation is in your hands
Build your foundation my children
Establish a strong foundation
Be no stepping stones
Do not be used by others to reach their goals
No back slider
Do not regress
Not everyone is made of sugar and spice
Not everyone is pleasant
Woo woo and everything nice
Not all things are desirable
Real life ain't no nursery rhyme
Life is not always easy
Babylon a cotch pon a very thin line
Those in power control things precariously
The games they play to trick up your mind
They manipulate you mentally
To keep us under all the time yeh
To keep us oppressed
So much motherless go astray
There are many motherless children who go astray
And all I can do is pray
All I can do is hope for the best
So much fatherless go astray
There are many fatherless children who go astray
And all I can do is pray.
I can only hope for the best
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
flyinkauaian
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa let me (scat)
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell You something
As I was passing
I heard children laughing
At the school yard gates
I turned 'round and said
Oh children the fruit of the womb
And one day
This world will be yours soon
Oh children the fruit of the womb
There are things that you must know
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa let me
Let me tell you something
Oh children the fruit of the womb
The candle of hope
Lighting up this darkness
Out of the world of guilt
Comes spirits of the innocent yeh
I people dem scatter
help dem come to oneness
Come little ones come we get strong
Suffer not to madness no
Help dem come to oneness
Come little ones come we get strong
Suffer not to madness no
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell you something
Grab education my children
higher meditation my children
Healing of the nation my children
Build your foundation my children
Be no stepping stones
No back slider
Oh children the fruit of the womb
Not everyone is made of sugar and spice
Woo woo and everything nice
Real life ain't no nursery rhyme
Babylon a cotch pon a very thin line
The games they play to trick up your mind
To keep us under all the time yeh
CHORUS
Spa dap spap spa dap spa
Let me tell you something
Grab education my children
Higher meditation my children
healing of the nation my children
Build your foundation my children
So much motherless go astray
And all I can do is pray
So much fatherless go astray
And all I can do is pray.
Laura B
Love David Hinds way of telling a story. Brilliant man. "Candle of hope lighten up this darkness,'
Priscila Avelino
Hhhhwhjsj
Woodrow Bullock
I always have loved this music
Jules C.W. Regout
This is one of my all-time favourite Steel Pulse tunes. You better bump this one hard!!
Leanne Ralston
Wow, takes me back to my young years... Steel Pulse are still my favourite. Handsworth Revolution my favourite album. Big Up for the Pulse 👊
Ijahson Isaac
Yeah me too.. I remember my dad bringing a few steel pulse LPs back to the family home... Love dem music to the maximum
Weezy
Countless shows as a teen in the 80s. Best ever times.
Isaac Banda
Great voice, sweet lyrics, sweet music worth to listen & dance to!
Isaac Banda
Me too
Liz Gichora
Little ones pave the way...they heal the nation with Education!! I love this Jam