The use of local dialect is an integral part of Sud Sound System's music. Such a use is not a choice: you can choose to sing in English, considering it to be an appropriate language for music, but you can't choose something which is part of your character, part of your daily vocabulary. The local dialect is not the only linguistic expression used in Salento reggae, but it is however the most natural choice because it is part of the artists themselves.
In June 1991, the 12" "Fuecu/T'a sciuta bona" was released and its impact on the Italian music scene was certainly noticeable; this record, like few others in that period, had something new to say. It was a unique record for its musical freshness due to its use of the Salento dialect combined with reggae rhythms. It consequently met with great success.
1992 saw the release of two 12" records: one with the tracks "Reggae Internazionale" and "Punnu Ieu," the other with "Turcinieddhri" and "Chiappalu." These new tracks immediately became popular and were constantly requested at the numerous concerts which followed. A long series of appearances began with foreign exponents of the roots, reggae and raggamuffin scene: Macka B and Mad Professor, Little Owie, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Asher D, Chunny Rankin, Daddy Freddy, Thriller Jenna, Sweete Irie. In 1993 and 1994, various tours took S.S.S. to different European countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland and Britain.
In the first few months of 1994 they christened their label Ritmo Vitale (Vital Rhythm) with a production called Salento Showcase '94,a compilation CD comprising many of the singers who were constantly appearing on the Salento reggae scene at that time. The album was successful and brought along a certain consolidation of the reggae and raggamuffin movement in that region.
In 1995 and the first few months of 1996 Sud Sound System was absorbed by the intense production of the album "Comu na petra," a fine piece of work that uses the Salentine tambourine players to lay down the basis for the type of raggamuffin they are known for; a raggamuffin with a certain sting which has always been an important part of the nature of the group. The tracks which most feel that 'sting' are: "Afro ragga mtaranta jazz" and "Crisce."
"Comu na petra" was preceded by a compilation entitled "Tradizione" which complied the group's recordings during the 1991-1996 period. Both records were produced in conjunction with the newspaper "Il Manifesto."
La Ballata Del Precario
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Senti n'attimu
Poveri noi su questa terra,paga sempre chi non ha la fortuna
Mentre i padroni dichiarano guerra
I generali danno ordini ai figli dei servi
Noi, su questa terra,
Paga sempre chi non ha mangiato
Perché talvolta la fortuna è cieca
Ma finchè i servi acclameranno i potenti
Finchè i padroni saranno dei Santi
Finchè i cervelli saranno spenti
Quaggiù la schiavitù non finirà mai, no no mai mai
Nu spiccia mai, no mai mai
Poveri noi su questa terra, paga sempre quello che si ribella
Se alzi la voce ti rinchiudo in cella
Ma se avrai fame li accontenterai
Poveri noi su questa terra, sappiamo i nomi di chi mette le bombe
Chi ammazza giudici, operai e studenti
Ma i criminali qui non pagano mai
Perché finchè i servi acclameranno i potenti
Finchè i padroni saranno dei Santi
Finchè i cervelli saranno spenti
Quaggiù la schiavitù non finirà mai, no no mai mai
Nu spiccia mai, non finirà mai, a quai
Poveri noi su questa terra, paga sempre chi ha il lavoro precario,gli emigranti e chi lavora in nero
Ma la stanchezza non ripaga mai
Poveri noi su questa terra, paga sempre chi non ha la fortuna
Perché quei sogni a noi ci costano troppo
E molti accettano questa realtà
Ma finchè i servi acclameranno i potenti
Finchè i padroni saranno dei Santi
Finchè i cervelli saranno spenti
Quaggiù la schiavitù non finirà mai, no no mai mai
Non finirà mai, nu spiccia mai
Non finirà mai , no no mai mai, a quai
(Grazie a Raffaele per questo testo)
The lyrics of Sud Sound System's song La Ballata Del Precario convey a message of social injustice and exploitation, where the poor and vulnerable on this earth bear the brunt of their misfortunes, paying the price of poverty and lack of opportunity. The song speaks of the oppression of the lower class by those in power, who declare war and give orders to the children of servants, while the poor always end up paying the price. The chorus "Finchè i servi acclameranno i potenti, Finchè i padroni saranno dei Santi, Finchè i cervelli saranno spenti, Quaggiù la schiavitù non finirà mai" (As long as the servants will cheer the powerful, As long as the masters will be the Saints, As long as the minds will be spent, Here on earth slavery will never end) underlines the idea that social and economic oppression continues as long as the powerless support those in power.
The song makes reference to different examples of exploitation and oppression, such as those who rebel against the system, only to be punished and silenced, or those with precarious work, migrants or those working in the black market, who are always underpaid and tireless. The lyrics suggest that many have to accept this as their reality because pursuing their dreams is too costly. The phrase "Nu spiccia mai" (It will never be resolved) emphasizes the hopelessness felt by those who are oppressed and exploited.
Overall, Sud Sound System's Ballata Del Precario is a powerful commentary on exploitation and injustice, highlighting the need for social change, and the importance of standing up for those who are oppressed and marginalised.
Line by Line Meaning
Sciamu sciamu sciamu moi, brucia moi a quai
We are running, running, running, burning ourselves out. It's an urgent call to action.
Senti n'attimu
Listen to the feeling in the air. There is a sense of discontent and unrest.
Poveri noi su questa terra,paga sempre chi non ha la fortuna
We are poor on this earth, and it's always those without luck that pay the price.
Mentre i padroni dichiarano guerra
While the bosses declare war, they send their sons to safety.
I generali danno ordini ai figli dei servi
Generals give orders to the sons of the working class.
Noi, su questa terra, paga sempre chi non ha mangiato
Those who haven't eaten always pay the price on this earth.
Perché talvolta la fortuna è cieca
Luck is sometimes blind to those who deserve it.
Ed il conto è sempre salato
And the bill is always high.
Ma finchè i servi acclameranno i potenti
As long as the working class applauds the powerful,
Finchè i padroni saranno dei Santi
As long as bosses are made into saints,
Finchè i cervelli saranno spenti
As long as minds are closed,
Quaggiù la schiavitù non finirà mai, no no mai mai
Slavery will never end down here, never ever.
Nu spiccia mai, no mai mai
We won't give up, no never.
Poveri noi su questa terra, paga sempre quello che si ribella
We are poor on this earth, and it's always the rebels who pay the price.
Se alzi la voce ti rinchiudo in cella
If you speak up, they lock you up.
Ma se avrai fame li accontenterai
But if you're hungry, you'll satisfy them.
Poveri noi su questa terra, sappiamo i nomi di chi mette le bombe
We are poor on this earth, and we know the names of those who set off bombs.
Chi ammazza giudici, operai e studenti
Those who kill judges, workers, and students.
Ma i criminali qui non pagano mai
But these criminals never pay the price here.
Poveri noi su questa terra, paga sempre chi ha il lavoro precario,gli emigranti e chi lavora in nero
We are poor on this earth, and it's always those with precarious jobs, immigrants, and those working illegally who pay the price.
Ma la stanchezza non ripaga mai
But exhaustion never pays off.
Perché quei sogni a noi ci costano troppo
Because those dreams cost us too much.
E molti accettano questa realtà
And many accept this reality.
Non finirà mai , no no mai mai, a quai
It will never end, never ever, not down here.
Nu spiccia mai, non finirà mai, a quai
We won't back down, it will never end, not down here.
Contributed by Evan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.