Myton had previously been a member of The Tartans in the late 1960s (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and Ras Michael's group, and had recorded with Thompson's Royal Rasses in the mid-1970s. He formed the Congos, initially as a duo with Johnson, recording the single "At the Feast" for Lee "Scratch" Perry. Perry expanded the group to a trio with the addition of Burnett, this line-up recording the classic roots reggae album Heart of the Congos in 1977 at Perry's Black Ark studio. The album featured illustrious backing singers such as Gregory Isaacs, The Meditations, and Barry LLewellyn and Earl Morgan of The Heptones. The album has been described as "the most consistently brilliant album of Scratch's entire career".
Perry's previous productions by Max Romeo and Junior Murvin had been huge commercial successes thanks to a deal with Island Records, but Perry was in dispute with Island at the time the Congos' album was finished, so it was released on his own Black Ark label, limiting its success overseas, and causing a rift with the group. The Congos went their own way, organising a limited pressing of the album themselves. United Kingdom label Go Feet eventually reissued the album in 1980, and although the group had recorded new material since leaving Perry, Heart of the Congos proved a hard act to follow and their other releases suffered as a consequence. Albums such as Congo Ashanti were sparser and sounded ordinary compared to Perry's kitchen-sink-and-all massive productions.
Burnett quit the group, soon followed by Johnson, who embarked on a solo career. Myton continued to record as The Congos with various other musicians until the mid-1980s.
In the mid-1990s, The Congos reformed, with Myton and Burnett joined by Lindburgh Lewis, several albums following in subsequent years. In 2005 Myton recorded Give Them the Rights with a host of backup singers and star session players such as Sly and Robbie and Earl "Chinna" Smith, very much in the spiritual 70s roots vein. In 2006, the UK reggae revival label Blood and Fire released the album Fisherman Style featuring a remixed version of the classic cut "Fisherman" from Heart of the Congos plus such legends as Horace Andy, Big Youth, Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, Mykal Rose, Dean Fraser, Sugar Minott, and U-Roy doing their own new versions over the original rhythm.
In 2002, they appeared on the album The Slackers and Friends by the ska/reggae band The Slackers.
In 2008, The Congos appeared in the independent feature film, Wah Do Dem which captures them performing "Fisherman," and "Congoman Chant," under a full moon at Helshire Beach outside Kingston.
In 2009, Myton, Burnett, and Johnson reunited with Perry to record the album Back in the Black Ark, which, despite its title, was recorded at Myton's studio in Portmore and at Mixing Lab, Kingston.
Only Jah Know
The Congos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have come a long way, between this Earth and Zion
And the warrior say
I too have made my way as I roll upon this rod of iron
Now dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
And dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
Like the sand of the sea shores we shall lie
And the book does say the time will come when I and I shall testify
Born out of de masses, caste us into the heart of Babylon
Run upon a Mount Sinai, oh Most High come make it so
Jah Jah know, know a savior, a sit upon a old rock log
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, a coming from the tribe of Judah
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, lie beyond a Wailing Wall
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, coming from a dis a heart of dragon war
Well now the youth man say
He say I have come a long way, between this Earth and Zion
And the warrior say
I too have made my way as I trot upon this rod of iron
Now dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
And dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
Hollow de, hollow de, hollow their hearts
Hollow de, hollow de, hollow their words
No we'll never hear dem barking
Coming to dem I say, take them away to Israel
Ya call upon a Mont Sinai, oh Most High come make it so
Jah Jah know, know a savior, a coming from a true lamb Lord
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, trotted from the tribe of Judah
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, lie beyond a Wailing Wall
Jah Jah I know, know, know, know
Man and Man and Man and Man dem
Fighting, Jah-Jah, oh Lord could a, could a, I and I a
Fighting, Jah-Jah, dis a wailin' on the wall, wailin' on the wall
Fighting dis a dragon war dem a
Savior to the son, a savior to the son now dis a
Man shall go shall linger, and dis a man shall go shall stumble
Dis a man shall go shall linger, dis a man shall go shall stumble
Oh riding! They fighting so, they rock them soul
De youth de man fighting, oh Jah, now dem a, oh man a
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
The Congos’ “Only Jah Know” is a powerful song that reflects on the struggles of oppression, war, and inequality faced by reggae artists throughout their lives. The song speaks of two great men, a youth man, and a warrior who have come a long way between the earth and Zion. The lyrics reflect the concept of an irreplaceable Jah, who is the only one who can bring salvation and relief from the troubles of this world.
The song focuses on the challenges of the future and how these challenges can only be survived with faith in the Most High. The lyrics speak to the idea that although some men may leave this earth to reach a better place, others must stay and remain vigilant to face the dragon war that still rages on. The song conveys a message of hope for change and salvation, which can only be brought about by one savior, a savior coming from the tribe of Judah, a true lamb Lord. The song calls on Jah, the Most High, to make it so that the warriors can survive the dragon wars that they face.
In summary, the song is an anthem for those facing oppression and inequality, the hope is that Jah, the Most High, will come and bring relief to those who are suffering. The warriors will remain vigilant in facing the dragon wars that still rage, as they believe that the future will bring change and the chance for salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now the youth man say
I have come a long way, between this Earth and Zion
The young man says that he has travelled a great distance between the Earth and Zion.
And the warrior say
I too have made my way as I roll upon this rod of iron
The warrior also claims to have made the journey while relying on his strength and faith.
Now dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
And dem man go and they shall live up
But we shall stay to face this dragon war
While others may prosper, they will remain to confront an immense obstacle - the dragon war.
For the Book does say
Like the sand of the sea shores we shall lie
And the book does say the time will come when I and I shall testify
A reference to a passage in the book which promises that they will lie on the beaches, as well as stating that the day of judgement shall arrive.
Born out of de masses, caste us into the heart of Babylon
Run upon a Mount Sinai, oh Most High come make it so
They were born in difficult circumstances, thrown into the centre of a corrupt society, and now they are calling upon the Most High to help them.
Jah Jah know, know a savior, a sit upon a old rock log
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, a coming from the tribe of Judah
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, lie beyond a Wailing Wall
Jah Jah I know, know a savior, coming from a dis a heart of dragon war
The chorus emphasizes their faith in a savior from the tribe of Judah who will defeat the dragon war and bring them salvation.
Hollow de, hollow de, hollow their hearts
Hollow de, hollow de, hollow their words
No we'll never hear dem barking
Coming to dem I say, take them away to Israel
Ya call upon a Mont Sinai, oh Most High come make it so
They express their contempt for those whose hearts and words are empty and vindictive. They call for these negative individuals to be taken to Israel, and they pray for salvation from the Most High, as they did on Mount Sinai.
Man and Man and Man and Man dem
Fighting, Jah-Jah, oh Lord could a, could a, I and I a
Fighting, Jah-Jah, dis a wailin' on the wall, wailin' on the wall
Fighting dis a dragon war dem a
Savior to the son, a savior to the son now dis a
Man shall go shall linger, and dis a man shall go shall stumble
Dis a man shall go shall linger, dis a man shall go shall stumble
Oh riding! They fighting so, they rock them soul
De youth de man fighting, oh Jah, now dem a, oh man a
This verse speaks to the ongoing struggle of people to overcome obstacles and succeed. They believe that with the right savior, they can continue to fight and overcome obstacles, while others may falter and stumble.
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
Don't stand there waiting you're the one
The final line of the song is a direct call to action - encouraging listeners to take action and not to wait for others to solve their problems, but to take responsibility and action themselves.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind