Born and raised on the island of St. Lucia, Weekes grew up the youngest of ten children in a musical family. "My musical influences were quite varied, 'cause the radio stations played all kinds of music. There were no formats, so we grew up listening to everything from reggae to calypso to classic rock and classical music."
Weekes soon felt confined by the borders of St. Lucia and left home to fulfill his musical ambitions in North America. There he formed his band Taj Weekes and Adowa and multi-media company Jatta Entertainment.
To date, the group has released two full-length albums to critical acclaim, “Hope & Doubt” and “Deidem,” which won “Best Reggae Album” at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. The band is set to release their much-anticipated third CD, an acoustic album entitled "A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen," this summer.
Weekes' music defies category... an amalgam of roots style reggae, afro-folk, rock and jazz. Essentially, Taj Weekes is a poet who sings to the rhythm of all that has come before and all that stretches out before him... life, his life... from his own unique and complex perspective.
Always striving to bring awareness to the issues he is passionate about, Weekes founded his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), in 2007 to improve the lives of underprivileged children in the Caribbean through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs.
Named a Goodwill Ambassador by the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals and recognized by a division of the United Nations, Weekes addresses issues such as global warming, casualties of war, domestic and youth violence, diabetes and health, poverty and the welfare of children.
For more information on Taj Weekes and TOCO, please visit:
www.tajandadowa.com and www.theyoftencryoutreach.org
Just a Dream
Taj Weekes & Adowa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
smile unsure
bent on destruction
what you frightened for
mighty sighs oh dim lit eyes
life and living they can’t deny
tear fear go away
you will come another day
let’s see life’s sunny side
when in life death is all that’s seen
merrily is just a dream, just a dream
just a dream
tear fear go away
you will come another day
joy deep inside
let’s see life’s sunny side
one single blossom defied the frost
when all is taken still not all is lost
open your eyes and see, the possibility
tear fear go away
you will come another day
joy deep inside, let’ s see life sunny side
joy deep inside, let’s see the light sunny side
In the opening lines of Taj Weekes & Adowa's song "Just A Dream," the singer seems to be experiencing a profound sense of despair, "heads bowed low, smile unsure, bent on destruction, what you frightened for." Yet, the chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of holding onto joy in the face of life's difficulties, encouraging listeners to "let's see life's sunny side." Despite the heaviness of loss and fear, there is a call to persevere and to recognize that life is not entirely consumed by these negative forces. The upbeat rhythm and repetition of the phrase "tear fear go away" serve as a reminder that these emotions are not permanent and can be overcome.
As the song continues, the lyrics continue to convey a sense of loss and tragedy that has the potential to overwhelm. However, there is still a thread of hope that runs throughout the song, particularly in the line "one single blossom defied the frost, when all is taken still not all is lost." This message encourages listeners to find hope in the smallest of things, even when the world around them feels bleak. Ultimately, the song's message is one of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, urging listeners to hold onto joy and hope, even when it seems impossible.
Line by Line Meaning
heads bowed low
We are feeling defeated and ashamed, unable to meet life's challenges.
smile unsure
We are hesitant to feel happy or optimistic, not sure if things will improve.
bent on destruction
Some people seem to want to cause harm or chaos, which is distressing to us.
what you frightened for
We are asking those who would cause harm why they are doing so, trying to understand their motivations.
mighty sighs oh dim lit eyes
We see a lot of sadness and despair in the world, in ourselves and others.
life and living they can’t deny
Despite the difficulties we face, life still continues and we must try to move forward.
tear fear go away
We want to overcome our fears and doubts, to find peace and happiness.
you will come another day
We believe that good days are ahead, that we can find hope and inspiration.
joy deep inside
We have a sense of joy and delight within us, even if it's hard to access at times.
let’s see life’s sunny side
We want to focus on the positive aspects of our lives, to have an optimistic outlook.
when in life death is all that’s seen
Sometimes it can feel like all we see is suffering, hardship, and loss.
merrily is just a dream, just a dream
Thinking that everything will be easy or joyful all the time is unrealistic; we need to accept the challenges of life.
one single blossom defied the frost
Even in difficult circumstances, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
when all is taken still not all is lost
Even in the face of great loss, we can still find something to hold onto and cherish.
open your eyes and see, the possibility
We should be open to new experiences and perspectives, to see the potential for growth and change.
let's see life sunny side
Once again, we want to stay optimistic and hopeful, looking for the good in our lives.
joy deep inside, let’s see the light sunny side
Our sense of joy and positivity will help us to find a brighter path forward.
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.