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.
Youth Man
The Congos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the congoman is comming
with his harpin his hand
jah jah in his heart
we pray delly
to jah ayarda
hey youth man
dem take your rights
from you
yo got to understand
congoman ashati man
that you`re jamaican born
africa man
and each and every man
is just another man
just another man
and if i don`t get my rigths
in this time
it willbe judgement on the land
you got to understand
to jah ayarda
to jah ayarda
The Congos’ song “Youth Man” is a call to action for young people to stand up for their rights and not let anyone take them away. The lyrics suggest that the “Congoman” is coming to lead the way with his harp and heart full of Jah, a reference to Rastafarianism and the belief in the power of God to bring justice. The song urges young people to understand that regardless of their background, whether they are Jamaican or African, they are all just human beings who deserve respect and equal treatment.
The line “if I don’t get my rights in this time, it will be judgement on the land” reinforces the idea that there are consequences for failing to take action and fight for justice. The song suggests that young people have the power to create positive change by coming together and standing up for what they believe in. The repeated call to “Jah ayarda” can be seen as a prayer or mantra, emphasizing the spiritual and communal nature of the struggle.
Overall, “Youth Man” is a rallying cry for young people to unite and fight against injustice. It promotes the idea that change is possible if people are willing to take action and not give up on their rights.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is gonna stop dem now
Who will be able to stop the Congos from spreading their message?
The congoman is comming
The Congos, representatives of Rastafarian culture and beliefs, are here to spread their message.
With his harp in his hand
Accompanied by the soothing sound of a harp, the Congos are here to bring peace.
Jah Jah in his heart
Their belief in Jah (God) is unshakeable and strong.
We pray Delly
The Congos ask for spiritual guidance and protection from their ancestors.
Hey youth man
The Congos are addressing the younger generation, encouraging them to listen and take action.
Don't let dem take your rights from you
Do not let anyone take away your natural born rights and freedoms.
You got to understand Congo man ashati man
The Congos wants the youth to understand that they are all connected under the same heritage and culture.
That you're Jamaican born, Africa man
They want the youth to embrace their Jamaican roots and African heritage.
And each and every man is just another man
No one is above or below anyone else, everyone is equal.
And if I don't get my rights in this time
If they are not granted their rights now, justice may never come.
It will be judgement on the land
If justice is not served, it will bring consequences to the entire land and society.
You got to understand to jah ayarda
The Congos are reminding the youth that understanding Jah's teachings is the key to finding peace and justice.
Writer(s): Cedric Constantine Myton
Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andersonalves7073
Who is gonna stop dem now
The congoman is comming
With his harpin his hand
Jah jah in his heart
We pray delly
To jah ayarda
Hey youth man
Don't let
Dem take your rights
From you
Yo got to understand
Congoman ashati man
That you're jamaican born
Africa man
And each and every man
Is just another man
@fernandomaron87
Uma das maiores pedras já compostas na história do reggae
@cassandrafrancasuely9859
Quem ouviu essa pedrada em 2020 manda um salve para a massagem regueira de salvador
@radarinteligentedantas5962
REGGAE RAIZ SÃO PRA POUCOS VIVA O REGGAE
@ahndhersong
God bless
@jovanebedoni5847
Tamos juntos 2020
@jhonnilinhares8914
Reggae raiz pedrada na veia
@vitao1508
2021 fogo 🔥
@verdadesejadita4923
youth man homen jovem,mensagem a nova geração para lutar por seus direitos no terçeiro mundo...
@ptck92_
Toma-te! Tive o grande prazer de ver de perto essa banda. Nunca vou esquecer desse show. The Congos Forever!
@robersongoku3412
na moral da vontade de chorar ouvindo uma arte assim