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.
Rally Round
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rally round the red
Gold black and green
Marcus say sir Marcus say
Red for the blood
That flowed like the river
Marcus say sir Marcus say
Marcus say
Yellow for the gold
That they stole
Marcus say
Black for the people
It was looted from
They took us away captivity captivity
Required from us a song
Right now man say repatriate repatriate
I and I patience have now long time gone
Father's mothers sons daughters every one
Four hundred million strong
Ethiopia stretch forth her hand
Closer to God we Africans
Closer to God we can
In our hearts is Mount Zion
Now you know seek the Lion
How can we sing in a strange land
Don't want to sing in a strange land no
Liberation true democracy
One God one aim one destiny
Rally round the flag
Remember when we used to dress like kings
Conqueror of land conqueror of seas
Civilization far moved from caves
Oppressor man live deh
I curse that day
The day they made us slaves I say
How can we sing in a strange land
Don't want to sing in a strange land
Liberation true democracy
One God one aim one destiny
Rally round the flag
Red gold black and green
A bright shining star--Africa
Catch star liner right now--Africa
A history no more a mystery--Africa
Respect and authority--Africa
Climb ye the heights of humanity
Rally come rally rally come rally
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Rally Round are a call to action for people to unite in support of Africa and its people. The song mentions the colors of the African flag: red for the blood that was shed, green for the land of Africa, yellow for the gold that was looted, and black for the people who were taken as slaves. The lyrics also make reference to Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader who advocated for black nationalism and the repatriation of African people to the continent. The song speaks to the struggle of African people to reclaim their history, their land, and their freedom from oppression.
The song is a powerful commentary on the African diaspora and the ways in which it continues to affect societies around the globe. It speaks to the importance of remembering the past, honoring ancestry, and fighting for a better future. The lyrics are both deeply political and deeply spiritual, invoking the idea of Mount Zion and a closer relationship with God for Africans who have been separated from their roots. The call to "rally round the flag" is a call to action, a reminder that change is possible if people come together in solidarity and support of one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Rally round the flag
Gather together under a common banner
Rally round the red
Acknowledge the blood spilled in the past
Gold black and green
Colors representing Africa's land, people, and resources
Marcus say sir Marcus say
Invocation of Marcus Garvey, a leader in Black liberation
Red for the blood
The red color represents the bloodshed in the struggle for liberation
That flowed like the river
Bloodshed was extensive and abundant
Green for the land Africa
Green color symbolizes Africa, representing the natural wealth and beauty of the continent
Yellow for the gold
Yellow color represents the gold stolen from Africa by colonial powers
That they stole
Colonial powers took precious resources without consent
Black for the people
Black color represents the African people who were looted from
It was looted from
African people were robbed of their resources
They took us away captivity captivity
Reference to the transatlantic slave trade and the captivity of Africans
Required from us a song
Slaves were required to sing to help lift spirits and mask sorrow
Right now man say repatriate repatriate
Call to repatriate to Africa, the homeland
I and I patience have now long time gone
The patience of the people has run out
Father's mothers sons daughters every one
All members of African families were affected by slavery and colonization
Four hundred million strong
Reference to the large number of Africans throughout the world
Ethiopia stretch forth her hand
Reference to the biblical passage 'Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.' (Psalms 68:31)
Closer to God we Africans
The belief that being closer to Africa means being closer to God
Closer to God we can
African people can find their faith in their roots
In our hearts is Mount Zion
Mount Zion is a symbol of freedom and liberation from slavery, which is in the hearts of Africans
Now you know seek the Lion
A call to seek the strength and courage of the lion, a powerful symbol in African culture
How can we sing in a strange land
Questioning how one can be happy and productive when living in a society that oppresses them
Don't want to sing in a strange land no
Rejecting the idea of being content in such an environment
Liberation true democracy
Freedom and democracy are the goals of the movement
One God one aim one destiny
Belief in the unity of mankind, and that all people are equal in the eyes of God
Remember when we used to dress like kings
Recalling the time before slavery and colonization when African people had their own customs and dress
Conqueror of land conqueror of seas
Reference to the powerful empires of ancient Africa
Civilization far moved from caves
African people have a rich history and culture that has developed over time
Oppressor man live deh
Oppressors still exist, living amongst the oppressed
I curse that day
Regret and anger towards the day when Africans were forcibly enslaved and oppressed
A bright shining star--Africa
Africa has the potential to be a bright and shining example of prosperity and progress
Catch star liner right now--Africa
Encouraging Africans to take advantage of opportunities and be proactive in moving towards a brighter future
A history no more a mystery--Africa
The true history of Africa is no longer shrouded in mystery
Respect and authority--Africa
Africa deserves respect and should be recognized as a powerful and influential continent
Climb ye the heights of humanity
Challenge to African people to reach their full potential and be a positive influence on the world
Rally come rally rally come rally
The need for collective action and unity for progress and liberation
Writer(s): David Robert Hinds Copyright: Pulse Music Ltd.
Contributed by Nathaniel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jauh25
About 10 years ago (I was 15) I went with my brother to pick a car that he had bought (ford fiesta) the car’s stereo was left with a cd in it that had a random reggae mix, which included this song, at the time I really, really liked and enjoyed it a lot, it was so good! As soon as I got home I went on my computer and googled steel pulse and went on a song spree and ever since that day I have been listening to Steel Pulse, definitely one of my favorite reggae bands of all times, all this thanks to that cd that was left in the old fiesta stereo!!
@lawrencenjawe1935
A chance discovery!!! Welcome to Planet Reggae, my friend.!!!
@wormbros
Bruh! My same experience almost identical! I was given a Boom Box as a kid with a CD in it, and it was True Democracy! I haven’t looked back since, and I’m 40yrs old!
@ForTheDelta444
when i was about the same age my dad had bought a steel pulse cd, 25 years later the rest they say is history
@ForTheDelta444
@NewETHfork almost same as me and similar age
@raymondhylton1022
@Lawrence Njawe as
@octoberflower6943
I was 18 years old when I purchased this album. I'm 58 and still love them!
@user-eo2oz2tf4q
Me too mate
@gregorya.2912
Steel Pulse is the most underrated Roots Reggae band. They never sold out. They stayed true to Pan-Africanist, Black Liberation Minded reggae music and because of that remain a niche reggae band.
@AbrahamAjavon
I won second place in my high school competition doing this song in the mid 80s in Liberia, West Africa. It was fun. I love Steel Pulse to this day. My favorite reggae group of all times.