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.
Revolution
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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Knows that one hand wash the other so they say
So let's join hands, my bredren
Make the way for our children (our children, our children)
And their children (their children, their children)
Ensuring that they get life's fair share of
Equality
Doesn't justice stand for all?
Doesn't justice stand for all mankind?
We find society putting us down
Crowning us, crowning us, crowning us, crowning us
A place of evil, oh, oh
Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth means us the Black people
We're talking now
Speaking Jah Jah language
Long, long way we're coming from
To send this message across, across
Been hidden, forbidden, concealed, unrevealed
It's got to come out in the open that
Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling
It was foolish to build it on the sand
Handsworth shall stand firm like Jah rock
Fighting back
We once beggars are now choosers
No intention to be losers
Striving forward with ambition
And if it takes ammunition
We rebel in Handsworth revolution
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth revolution
Revolution
Dread town, dread town, dread town
Dread town, dread town, dread town
Dread we are for a cause
Deprived of many things
Experienced phony laws
Hatred Babylon brings
We know what you've got to offer
We know what's going on
Don't want no favors
'Cause there's still hunger
Innocent convicted
Poor wage, hard labor
Only Babylon prospers
And the humble suffer
They are my brothers, yeah, in South Africa
One Black represent all, all over the world
Can't bear it no longer
Blessed with the power
Of Jah Creator
We will get stronger
And we will conquer
And forward ever, and backward never
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Revo-, revo-, revolution
The lyrics of Steel Pulse's song Handsworth Revolution are a call for unity and equality among the Black people of Handsworth. The song starts with a recognition that the people of Handsworth understand the importance of working together ("one hand wash the other"), and urges all Black people to join hands and pave the way for future generations to enjoy life's fair share of equality and justice. The lyrics challenge the societal system that oppresses Black people, implying that justice should apply to all and questioning why society is putting Black people down. The chorus repeats the phrase "Handsworth revolution" as a call to action to take a stand against the oppressive system and fight for change.
The second half of the song focuses on the idea that Babylon (a term sometimes used to describe the oppressive system or government) is falling and that Handsworth, as a symbol of Black resistance, will stand firm like Jah rock (a reference to Jah, an important figure in Rastafarianism). The lyrics express the frustration of Black people who are deprived of their rights and subjected to phony laws and hard labor while Babylon prospers. The song implores Black people to unite and fight against the oppression, using their power and strength to overcome the obstacles in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I say the people of Handsworth
The citizens of Handsworth are aware of the benefits of working together
Knows that one hand wash the other so they say
Handsworth is a community where people are willing to help one another
So let's join hands, my bredren
Let us collaborate and support each other, my brothers
Make the way for our children (our children, our children)
Create opportunities for the next generation to thrive and succeed
And their children (their children, their children)
Ensure that our children's children also have the same chances for success and prosperity
Ensuring that they get life's fair share of
We are committed to guaranteeing them an equitable distribution of
Equality
Equal opportunities, treatment, and rights regardless of race or ethnicity
Doesn't justice stand for all?
Shouldn't justice be impartial and available to everyone?
Doesn't justice stand for all?
Shouldn't justice be impartial and available to everyone?
Doesn't justice stand for all mankind?
Shouldn't justice apply to every human being and society?
We find society putting us down
We encounter prejudice, discrimination, and oppression in society
Crowning us, crowning us, crowning us, crowning us
Society systematically marginalizes and oppresses us
A place of evil, oh, oh
Society is hostile, malevolent, and cruel towards us
Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth is a community of African descent people
Handsworth means us the Black people
Handsworth is a community of African descent people
We're talking now
We are speaking up and expressing our opinions and concerns
Speaking Jah Jah language
Expressing ourselves in a way that is consistent with our Rastafarian faith and culture
Long, long way we're coming from
We have come a long and arduous journey
To send this message across, across
To spread this message broadly and reach many people
Been hidden, forbidden, concealed, unrevealed
Our message has been suppressed, censored, and ignored for too long
It's got to come out in the open that
We must bring our message out in the open that
Babylon is falling
The oppressive and corrupt system of Babylon is on the verge of collapse
Babylon is falling
The oppressive and corrupt system of Babylon is on the verge of collapse
It was foolish to build it on the sand
Babylon's foundation was unstable and unsustainable
Handsworth shall stand firm like Jah rock
Handsworth will remain solid and unyielding, like the foundation of our Rastafarian faith
Fighting back
We are pushing back against oppression and fighting for our rights
We once beggars are now choosers
We were once powerless and impoverished, but now we have agency and self-determination
No intention to be losers
We refuse to accept defeat or submission
Striving forward with ambition
We are pursuing our goals with determination and enthusiasm
And if it takes ammunition
We are prepared to use force and violence to defend our rights and freedoms
We rebel in Handsworth revolution
We are engaged in a revolutionary struggle against oppression and inequality in Handsworth
Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth is the location of our revolutionary struggle for justice and equality
Dread town, dread town, dread town
Handsworth is a place of fear, anxiety, and danger
Dread town, dread town, dread town
Handsworth is a place of fear, anxiety, and danger
Dread we are for a cause
We are fearful but committed to our struggle against oppression
Deprived of many things
We are deprived of basic necessities, rights, and opportunities
Experienced phony laws
We have been subjected to unjust and discriminatory laws
Hatred Babylon brings
Babylon's system and ideology promotes hatred, intolerance, and oppression
We know what you've got to offer
We are aware of Babylon's oppressive agenda and tactics
We know what's going on
We are knowledgeable and well-informed about the situation
Don't want no favors
We don't want any handouts, concessions, or privileges
'Cause there's still hunger
Because there is still poverty, deprivation, and hunger in our community
Innocent convicted
Innocent people are unfairly convicted and punished
Poor wage, hard labor
We are paid low wages for hard and dangerous work
Only Babylon prospers
Babylon system and its elites are the only ones benefiting from the current situation
And the humble suffer
The poor, powerless, and marginalized suffer the most under Babylon's system
They are my brothers, yeah, in South Africa
Our fellow black people in South Africa are our brothers and sisters in the struggle against oppression and racism
One Black represent all, all over the world
Every black person represents the entire race and its struggle, no matter where they are in the world
Can't bear it no longer
We can no longer tolerate the injustice and oppression we face every day
Blessed with the power
We are empowered by our Rastafarian faith and culture
Of Jah Creator
We are blessed and guided by the divine power of Jah
We will get stronger
Our struggle will make us stronger, more resilient, and more united
And we will conquer
We will overcome oppression and injustice through our sustained struggle and determination
And forward ever, and backward never
We are committed to moving forward and advancing our cause, and we will never give up or retreat
Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth
Handsworth revolution
The revolutionary struggle for justice and equality in Handsworth
Handsworth, yeah, yeah, yeah, revolution
Handsworth is the location of our revolutionary struggle for justice and equality
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes
Revo-, revo-, revolution
Our struggle is a revolutionary one, requiring fundamental social and political changes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Robert Hinds, Alphonso Martin Martin, Basil Gabbidon, Mike S Riley, Ronnie McQueen, Selwyn Brown, Steve Nesbitt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind