Tightrope
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Deliver me, oh, my father
From the down pressers set me free
Dem a trying to keep I down
I will always prosper, yes I
Dem a trying to keep I down
I will always, no
Got me walking, walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe, no
As long as Babylon, Babylon is my foe
Poor man's life don't cut no ice
So many mouths to feed
And if my word ain't, ain't good enough
Just, just take a look and see, yeah
Got me walking, walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe, no
As long as Babylon, Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
Like a drowning man that clutches a straw
Might think he's got no chance, no
The will of Jah can pull him through
He's a helping hand, you got that
Got me walking, walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe, no
As long as Babylon, Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
From the valley of dry bones I have risen
Got to make a change
Hang my head in the clouds with conviction
Ain't no stopping now
Deliver me, oh, my father, set me free
Hey, walking on a tightrope
Can't afford, no, can't afford, no way
Never gonna buck my toe
As long as Babylon is my foe, now
I will have hope in my soul
Just can't keep me down, no
Just can't keep me down, no way
Just can't keep me down, ooh
Just can't keep me, really, just can't keep me
Got me walking, walking on a tightrope
Never, never say die
Reach the mountain high
Never, never say die
Never, never say die
Never, never say die
Reach the mountain high
Walking on a tightrope
Walking on a tightrope
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for their 1986 album Babylon The Bandit.
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 Read Full BioSteel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for their 1986 album Babylon The Bandit.
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.
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 Read Full BioSteel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for their 1986 album Babylon The Bandit.
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.
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nicky droze
Deliver me oh my father
From the downpressers
Set me free
Dem a trying to keep I down
But I will always prosper
Dem a trying to keep I down
But I will always ... WO
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
A poor man's life don't cut no ice
With so many mouths to feed
And if my word ain't good enough
just take a look and see
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
Like a drowning man who clutches a straw
Might think he's got no chance
The will of JAH can pull him through
he's a helping hand, you got that
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
From the valley of dry bones I have risen
and I've got to make a change
hang my head in the clouds with conviction
Ain't no stopping now
Deliver me oh my father
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
Just can't keep me down
Just can't keep me down
Just can't keep me down
Really just can't keep me
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Never never say die
Reach the mountain high!
nicky droze
Deliver me oh my father
From the downpressers
Set me free
Dem a trying to keep I down
But I will always prosper
Dem a trying to keep I down
But I will always ... WO
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
A poor man's life don't cut no ice
With so many mouths to feed
And if my word ain't good enough
just take a look and see
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
Like a drowning man who clutches a straw
Might think he's got no chance
The will of JAH can pull him through
he's a helping hand, you got that
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
From the valley of dry bones I have risen
and I've got to make a change
hang my head in the clouds with conviction
Ain't no stopping now
Deliver me oh my father
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Can't afford to buck my toe
And as long as Babylon is my foe
I will have hope in my soul
Just can't keep me down
Just can't keep me down
Just can't keep me down
Really just can't keep me
CHORUS
Got me walking on a tightrope
Never never say die
Reach the mountain high!
Andrew Price
This one of the most prophetic albums in the history of mankind.
GerryMATW
The best reggae band on the planet. :) Pure Class!
Tarik Brown
I've been playing the album since I was a kid, that's when cassette tapes were out, I'm 40 years old now, my father took time out to explain each song, I'm great full for that experience because as a kid I had a total different outlook on things that I could comprehend at that early age.
M
Me too I remember buying tribute to the martyrs when I was 12 just because the cover art was so cool and the bands name was so awesome. I’m white, back then I’d never heard anything beyond Beatles etc this blew my mind wide open. Haven’t stopped listening +30 years later. So glad I got to see them perform many times in the 80s and 90s they’re still my #1
J F
I played this over and over as a young guy (and appreciated it then). It's lyrics are perhaps even more relevant today, and it still sounds great!
djmgoblue
Saw them in concert at age 14 when this album was released. I'm now 50 and this song and others still sound fresh.
Dave Shepherd
Superb! And like your Dad, I played this (along with so many others!) to my eldest! She's now, at 34, another devotee of The Pulse! Never, never say die...
David Oberlin
Awesome.
Inner Worlds
The best word I can think of to describe this track is "triumphant".
The horns towards the end are simply amazing and sound like a foretaste of the welcoming sounds in Heaven when the earthly journey is finally over.
Effemeseyevee
Well said suh!