Tarrus Riley born Omar Riley in Bronx, New York, is a promising reggae sing… Read Full Bio ↴Tarrus Riley born Omar Riley in Bronx, New York, is a promising reggae singer and songwriter. His early years were spent in music studios and traveling the world with his dad. He picked up something special along the way. He is a songwriter of uncommon intelligence, breadth with a deft touch. His emotional and spiritual IQ matches his heartfelt sincerity. As a singer, his vocal style is reassuring. It conveys his every mood, concern and context eloquently. His songwriting is bold, yet definitive, passionate and authentic, without being strident or overly militant. Except for the same surname, Tarrus, while clearly not possessing his famous father's voice with its sharp edge, is content musically to create his own legacy.
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Riley is the son of veteran singer Jimmy Riley and nurse Lavern Tatham-Riley. He was born in the Bronx and grew up in South Florida. He began his musical career as a deejay working with Busta Rhymes, taking his birth sign as his stage name at his mother's suggestion (the spelling later changed from Taurus to Tarrus), and recorded his first singles for his father's Love & Promotion label. He was guided in his early career by Dean Fraser, who also performs in his band and produces much of Riley's work.
Riley has released three albums, Challenges (2004), Parables (2006), and Contagious (2009). Contagious features guest appearances from Damian Marley, Vybz Kartel, Etana, Konshens, Demarco and Duane Stephenson. His commercial breakthrough came in 2006 with the Parables album and the Jamaican number one single "She's Royal".

Riley was awarded the Reggae Runnins Caribbean Heritage Award at the 2009 HOT 105 FM Caribbean-American Heritage Awards. He was nominated in the Best Reggae category of the 2009 MOBO Awards.

Haunt You
Tarrus Riley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You′re foolish if you think
That you won't get yours
Man all your wrongs
Are gonna come back and haunt you
You′re digging your pit
Better prepare to lay there
All your wrongs are gonna come back and haunt you

And when you're running to the rock
There will be no rock
Hiding and you're looking out for shelter
You′re running to the rock there will be no rock
Not even your mama can save you

And the mercy′s gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
The mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down

So play fair
And share
It′s simple and co clear
All and all
We've got to lift up my people

Cuz life is like a sea saw
And the most I seas and no saw
All your wrongs
Are gonna come back and haunt you
So when you′re running to the rock
There will be no rock
Hiding and you're looking out for shelter
You′re running to the rock there will be no rock
Not even your mama and your papa can save you

And the mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
Oh mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down

Woahh
Ain′t nowhere to run too
Woahhh ain′t nowhere to run to no

And when you're running to the rock
There will be no rock
Hiding and you′re looking out for shelter
You're running to the rock there will be no rock
Not even your mama can save you
And the mercy′s gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
Oh mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down

Running to the rock
There will be no rock
Hiding and you′re looking out for shelter
You're running to the rock there will be no rock
Not even your mama and your papa can save you
And the mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
Oh the mercy′s gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down

Running to the rock
There will be no rock
Hiding looking out for shelter
You′re running to the rock there will be no rock
Not even your mama can save you
But the mercy's gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
Oh mercy′s gone
And the judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down
Oh mercy's gone

Judgment come
Dem ha fi go down go down go down

Overall Meaning

In Tarrus Riley's song "Haunt You," the lyrics convey a warning to someone who believes they can escape the consequences of their actions. The song suggests that individuals who commit wrongs will eventually face their own karma and be haunted by the repercussions of their choices.

The lyrics open by challenging the notion that one can avoid accountability for their actions, stating that it is foolish to think otherwise. The repetition of "All your wrongs are gonna come back and haunt you" emphasizes the certainty of facing the consequences. The imagery of digging one's own pit and laying there implies that the person will ultimately find themselves trapped by their own actions.

The song also highlights the futility of seeking refuge or protection. Running to the rock symbolizes seeking safety or shelter, but it is emphasized that there will be no rock to provide any solace. Even the support of one's own loved ones, represented by the line "Not even your mama can save you," will prove ineffective in the face of the judgment that awaits.

The repeated refrain of "And the mercy's gone, and the judgment come" reinforces the idea that there will be no escape from the consequences. The lyrics suggest that the individuals who have committed wrongs must face the repercussions and "go down."

In summary, "Haunt You" serves as a cautionary song, reminding listeners that actions have consequences and there is no evading the judgment that awaits.

Line by Line Meaning

You′re foolish if you think
You're being naive if you believe

That you won't get yours
That you won't face the consequence of your actions

Man all your wrongs
My friend, all the mistakes you've made

Are gonna come back and haunt you
Will return to torment you

You′re digging your pit
You're intentionally creating a difficult situation for yourself

Better prepare to lay there
You should be ready to face the consequences

And when you're running to the rock
And when you're seeking refuge

There will be no rock
You will find no shelter

Hiding and you're looking out for shelter
Trying to hide and find protection

You′re running to the rock there will be no rock
You're desperately searching for safety, but it won't be found

Not even your mama can save you
Even your mother cannot rescue you

And the mercy′s gone
Compassion has vanished

And the judgment come
And now the time for reckoning has arrived

Dem ha fi go down go down go down
They must face the consequences

So play fair
Be fair in your actions

And share
And share with others

It's simple and co clear
It's straightforward and easily understood

All and all
Overall

We've got to lift up my people
We need to support and uplift our community

Cuz life is like a sea saw
Because life is full of ups and downs

And the most I seas and no saw
And the divine sees everything even when unnoticed

All your wrongs
All your mistakes

Are gonna come back and haunt you
Will return to haunt you

Woahh
Expressing a strong emotion or surprise

Ain't nowhere to run too
There's nowhere to escape to

Woahhh ain't nowhere to run to no
Oh, there's nowhere to find refuge

But the mercy's gone
However, mercy has disappeared

And the judgment come
And now the time of judgment has come

Dem ha fi go down go down go down
They must face the consequences

Running to the rock
Seeking refuge

There will be no rock
There will be no place of safety

Hiding and you're looking out for shelter
Attempting to hide and find protection

Not even your mama and your papa can save you
Even your parents cannot rescue you

Oh mercy's gone
Oh, mercy has disappeared

And the judgment come
And now the time of judgment has come

Dem ha fi go down go down go down
They must face the consequences

Oh mercy's gone
Oh, mercy has disappeared

Judgment come
Judgment has arrived

Dem ha fi go down go down go down
They must face the consequences

Writer(s): Kirk Bennett, Mitchum Chin, Carol Mclaughlin, Omar Riley, Glen A. Browne

Contributed by Michael F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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