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.
Not King James Version
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
A dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Hidden from me, I was never told, no way
Ancient prophets black and bold
Like Daniel, King David and Abraham
Israel were all black men
I don't wanna lose ya!
Japhet tried his best to erase
The godly parts we played
I says he came and took
And never mention in his book, so
A dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
Dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
In Esau's chapter of history
So little mention of you and me
We rulers of kingdoms and dynasties
Explored this Earth for centuries
I don't wanna lose ya
Phoenicians, Egyptians and the Moors
Built civilization, that's for sure
Creators of the alphabet
While the West illiterate, yeah
A dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
Dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
African heritage
I don't wanna lose ya
No, oh, no
Slavery came and took its toll
In the name of John Bull Dog
Said we turned our backs on God
Lost the powers that we had
As our backs against the wall
Ask ourselves about the fall
Rise, rise, rise
Hold on to your culture
A dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
Dis ya version
A no King James version
'Cause out of Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
I don't wanna lose ya
I don't wanna lose ya
Never let them fool you
I don't wanna lose ya
I don't wanna lose ya
Never let them fool you
I don't wanna lose ya
The lyrics of Steel Pulse’s song Not King James Version address a history of cultural and religious erasure perpetrated by Europeans against Africans. The singer asserts that Africa is the true Garden of Eden, countering the narrative created by King James in the Bible. The lyrics build upon the idea that African civilizations and kingdoms had been erased from history by European colonizers, with Japhet being a representation of the European colonial powers that subjugated Africans. The singer also speaks of ancient black prophets and rulers like Daniel, King David, and Abraham. In this way, the song re-establishes the importance of Africa and the role black people played in shaping the world.
The song also addresses the erasure of African contributions to civilization, such as the creation of the alphabet by the Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Moors. These contributions were ignored by those in the West who chose to view African people as illiterate and uncivilized. The song continues with a warning against the dangers of cultural appropriation, as the singer speaks of the toll that slavery took on Africans and their culture. The lyrics speak of a desire to hold onto one's culture, as it is an integral part of one’s identity.
Line by Line Meaning
A dis ya version
This version of history
A no King James version
It's not the version from King James' Bible
'Cause out of Africa
Because the beginning of human civilization started in Africa
Came the Garden of Eden
Which is considered the birthplace of humanity
Hidden from me, I was never told, no way
The true history was never revealed to me
Ancient prophets black and bold
There were black prophets who were courageous and wise
Like Daniel, King David and Abraham
Prophets like Daniel, King David, and Abraham were black
Israel were all black men
The people of Israel were originally black
Japhet tried his best to erase
Japhet, son of Noah, tried to remove black people's contribution from history
The godly parts we played
Their significant roles in history that were divine
I says he came and took
Japhet removed history's record of the black people
And never mention in his book, so
He omitted them in his written record
In Esau's chapter of history
In history books written by Europeans
So little mention of you and me
Black people are barely mentioned
We rulers of kingdoms and dynasties
Black people were once rulers of kingdoms and dynasties
Explored this Earth for centuries
Black people were among the first explorers of the world
Phoenicians, Egyptians and the Moors
These historically significant groups were black
Built civilization, that's for sure
They were the architects of civilization
Creators of the alphabet
They created the letters we use in writing
While the West illiterate, yeah
Meanwhile, the West was still illiterate at that time
Slavery came and took its toll
Slavery caused immeasurable damage to black people and their heritage
In the name of John Bull Dog
They used the name of the British monarchy to justify slavery
Said we turned our backs on God
They claimed black people were being punished by God for turning away from Him
Lost the powers that we had
Slavery depleted the once great black civilization
As our backs against the wall
Black people are backed into a corner
Ask ourselves about the fall
We question what led to our downfall
Rise, rise, rise
Calls for black people to rise up and reclaim their place in history
Hold on to your culture
Reminds black people to hold onto their culture, history, and identity
I don't wanna lose ya
Don't forget about the importance of black history and culture
Never let them fool you
Don't believe the lies told by those who erased black people from history
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind