The vocal trio was originally formed in 1968 by Bernard Collins and Donald Manning. Their first song was "Satta Massagana", which was strongly influenced by Carlton Manning's "Happy Land". "Satta Massagana" is a Rastafarian hymn sung partly in the ancient Ethiopian Amharic language. They recruited a third vocalist, who was still at school and often unable to attend rehearsals; he was soon replaced by Donald's brother Lynford Manning, who had previously been a member of their brother Carlton Manning's group Carlton and The Shoes.
"Satta Massagana" was first recorded for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in March 1969, but he decided against releasing it, seeing no commercial potential for what he saw as a song constituting cultural subversion. In 1971, the group purchased the master tapes from Dodd for £90 and released it on their own Clinch label, the single becoming a massive success, prompting Dodd to release his own instrumental and deejay versions. The group released further takes on the song on Clinch by Tommy McCook, Big Youth, and Dillinger, as well as their own "Mabrak", featuring the group reciting passages from the Old Testament. It has since been recorded by dozens of artists. The group's second release, "Declaration of Rights", featured Leroy Sibbles on backing vocals, and like their first was a huge hit in Jamaica, (and subsequently in the international market) and has been covered several times since. Their 1973 single "Y Mas Gan" was similar to "Satta" in its use of Amharic.
The group continued to record throughout the 1970s for producers including Lloyd Daley, Tommy Cowan, and Geoffrey Chung, and their debut album, Forward on to Zion was produced by Clive Hunt and released in 1976. The follow-up, Arise (1978), was recorded under stressful conditions with internal rivalries threatening to break up the group, and after the album's release, Collins left the band, to be eventually replaced by Carlton Manning. This line-up performed at the 1979 Reggae Sunsplash festival, but split up the following year.
Donald Manning had a brief solo career in the early 1980s, in which he recorded as Donald Abyssinian.
Bernard Collins launched his own version of the group in the late 1980s, with two versions of the group existing for a time. The original line-up reunited in 1998 and went on to record new material, including the singles "African Princess" and "Swing Low" and the album Reunion, although Collins was not involved in songwriting at this time. Collins left again in 1999 and released material as Bernard Collins & the Abyssinians, releasing an album the same year.
The Abyssinians are credited on "Slave Song", from Sade's 2002 album, Lovers Live.
Discography
Studio albums
1976 : Satta Massagana - Jam Sounds (reissued 1988 on Clinch, 1993, 2007 on Heartbeat, also released as Satta and Forward on to Zion)
1978 : Arise - Tuff Gong/Virgin/Clinch
1998 : Reunion - Artists Only
Compilation albums
1982 : Forward - Alligator
1994 : Best of the Abyssinians - Musidisc
1996 : 19.95 + TAX
1998 : Satta Dub - Tabou 1
1998 : Declaration of Dub - Heartbeat
1999 : Last Days - Clinch (credited to Bernard Collins)
2003 : Abyssinians & Friends Tree of Satta vol. 1 - Blood & Fire
Live albums
2002 : Live in San Francisco - 2b1 II
love comes and goes
The Abyssinians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the rising sun
And love's a treasure, I know, I know it's true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can't you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won't you come on and let me be
The Abyssinians’ song “Love Comes and Goes” is a reflection on the transience of love. The opening lines compare love to the rising sun, suggesting that it has a cyclical nature and will eventually set. However, the lyrics make it clear that even though love may come and go, it is still valuable like a treasure. The singer addresses his lover, expressing his affection by calling her “my darling” and “my baby.” The chorus carries an urgency, as the singer reveals that he needs his lover’s love. He asks her why she won’t “come on and set me free” and let him be.
The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and dependence on love. The singer’s desire for his lover’s love appears to be consuming him, and he seeks freedom from his state of longing. Perhaps the cyclical nature of love is causing him to feel trapped by his emotions. Despite the uncertainty of love, the singer’s devotion remains steadfast, and his urgent appeals suggest that he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the love alive.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that love comes and goes
Love is believed by many to be fleeting and unpredictable
Just like the rising sun
Love can appear suddenly and just as quickly disappear
And love's a treasure, I know, I know it's true
Love is valuable and precious
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
Expression of deep affection for a significant other
A feeling of love is down on me, now
The artist is currently experiencing a strong emotion of love
Oh woman can't you see, see that I
The singer is addressing their significant other, asking them to pay attention to their feelings
I need, I need, I, I need your love
The singer is expressing a strong desire for their significant other's love and affection
Why won't you come on and set me free
The artist is asking their significant other to provide emotional liberation and love
Why won't you come on and let me be
The artist is asking their significant other to allow them to be themselves and give them their love
Contributed by Micah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@CaosViviente
They say that love comes and goes
Just like the rising sun
And love’s a treasure, I know, I know it’s true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can’t you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won’t you come on and set me free
Why won’t you come on and let me be
@angelrennyespinoza8870
Dicen que el amor va y viene
Al igual que el sol naciente
Y el amor es un tesoro, lo sé, sé que es verdad
Oh cariño, oh mi bebé, te amo
Un sentimiento de amor está sobre mí, ahora
Oh mujer no puedes ver, ver que yo
Necesito, necesito, necesito tu amor
¿Por qué no vienes y me liberas?
¿Por qué no vienes y me dejas ser
@Tommyandersonskateboard
**Lyrics**
Salve Brasil /,,/
''They say that love comes and goes
Just like the rising sun
And love's a treasure, I know, I know it's true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can't you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won't you come on and set me free
Why won't you come on and let me be''
@angelrennyespinoza8870
They say that love comes and goes
Just like the rising sun
And love's a treasure, I know, I know it's true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can't you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won't you come on and set me free
Why won't you come on and let me be
@angelrennyespinoza8870
They say that love comes and goes
Just like the rising sun
And love's a treasure, I know, I know it's true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can't you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won't you come on and set me free
Why won't you come on and let me be
@CaosViviente
They say that love comes and goes
Just like the rising sun
And love’s a treasure, I know, I know it’s true
Oh my darling, oh my baby, I love you
A feeling of love is down on me, now
Oh woman can’t you see, see that I
I need, I need, I, I need your love
Why won’t you come on and set me free
Why won’t you come on and let me be
@yumyum2k5
Give thanks and praises to His Majesty for the gift of Love which the Abyssinians can express so beautifully in His graces. Jah Bless.
@evertonandrade5158
Meu Deus !!! Respect 😎
@chamberlandfill
One of the most beautiful songs in the world.
@peterwolff2414
Yes, I agree!
@dreaderthandread3563
Love this tune 🙌 Bless up
@dreaderthandread3563
Blessings roots daughter love your heart thank you. Tune is one of my favs jah guidance
@rasromanoreggae
LOVEEEEEE IT, SO SWEEEET, SO MUCH SOUL IN IT..........PURE HARMONIE THING....ONE LOVE
@chrispy2014
Greatest song ever? Probably. Helped me through some tough times and is still a favorite to play on a crystal clear day in my beach town, like today!
@lawromeo
Jah Jah...speak only truth...so real a pure. I long for their return. Classic!