Billy Ward (born Robert L. Williams, 19 September 1921, Savannah, Georgia—died 16 February 2002, Inglewood, California) grew up in Philadelphia, the second of three sons of Charles Williams and Cora Bates Williams, and was a child musical prodigy, winning an award for a piano composition at the age of 14. Following military service he studied music in Chicago, and at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. While working as a vocal coach and part-time arranger on Broadway, he met talent agent Rose Marks, who became his business and songwriting partner.
The pair set out to form a vocal group from the ranks of his students. The group was at first called the Ques, and comprised Clyde McPhatter (lead tenor), Charlie White (tenor), Joe Lamont (baritone), and Bill Brown (bass). Ward acted as their pianist and arranger. After the group made successful appearances on talent shows in the Apollo Theater and on the Arthur Godfrey show in 1950, Rene Hall recommended them to Ralph Bass of Federal Records, a subsidiary of King, where they were signed to a recording contract and renamed themselves the Dominoes. Their first single release, "Do Something For Me", with McPhatter’s lead vocal, reached the R&B charts in early 1951, climbing to #6.
After a less successful follow-up, the group released "Sixty Minute Man", on which Brown sang lead, and boasted of being able to satisfy his girls with fifteen minutes each of "kissin'" "teasin'" and "squeezin'", before "blowin'" his "top". It reached #1 on the R&B chart in May 1951 and stayed there for a 14 weeks. It was an important record in several respects—it crossed the boundaries between gospel singing and blues, its lyrics pushed the limits of what was deemed acceptable, and it appealed to many white as well as black listeners, peaking at #17 on the pop charts. In later years, it became a contender for the title of "the first rock and roll record".
The group toured widely, building up a reputation as one of the top R&B acts of the era, and an audience which crossed racial divides. However, Ward's strict disciplinarian approach, and failure to recompense the singers, caused internal problems. The name "The Dominoes" was owned by Ward and Marks, who had the power to hire and fire, and to pay the singers a salary. Clyde McPhatter was being paid barely enough to live on, and often found himself billed as "Clyde Ward" to fool fans into thinking he was Billy Ward's brother. White and Brown both left in 1951 to form The Checkers, and were replaced by James Van Loan and David McNeil (previously of The Larks).
In March 1952, the Dominoes were chosen to be the only vocal group at Alan Freed's "Moondog Coronation Ball". The hits continued, with "Have Mercy Baby" topping the R&B charts for 10 weeks in 1952. However, in early 1953, McPhatter also decided to leave, and soon formed a new group, The Drifters. His replacement in the Dominoes was Jackie Wilson, who had sung with the group on tour. Lamont and McNeil also left and were replaced by Milton Merle and Cliff Givens. With Wilson singing lead, singles such as "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" continued to be successful.
In 1954, Ward moved the group to the Jubilee label and then to Decca, where they enjoyed a #27 pop hit with "St. Teresa of the Roses". However, the group were unable to follow that success in the charts, and there were a succession of personnel changes. They increasingly moved away from their R&B roots with appearances in Las Vegas and elsewhere. In late 1956, Wilson left for a solo career and was replaced by Gene Mumford of The Larks. The group then got a new contract with Liberty Records, and had a #13 pop hit with "Stardust". This proved to be their last major success, although various line-ups of the group continued recording and performing into the 1960s.
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006.
Former members
Billy Ward
Clyde McPhatter
Charlie White
Joe Lamont
Bill Brown
James Van Loan
David McNeil
Jackie Wilson
Milton Merle
Cliff Givens
Carry Go Bring Come
The Dominoes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
You're going from home to home making disturbances
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
The meek shall inherit this earth, you old Jezebel
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
The song "Carry Go Bring Come" by The Dominoes speaks about the trouble and misery caused by a woman who continuously moves from one home to another, causing disturbances. The singer calls her an old Jezebel, a biblical reference to a wicked, immoral woman. The lyrics also suggest a connection to the Rastafarian movement, as they speak of seeking a home in "Mount Zion high," which represents a heavenly paradise.
The lyrics suggest that being constantly on the move and causing trouble will only bring misery. Instead, the singer suggests seeking a home in a peaceful, spiritual place. The repetition of the phrase "how long shall the wicked reign over my people?" indicates frustration and a desire for justice.
The song's title, "Carry Go Bring Come," is a Jamaican Creole phrase that refers to the cycle of trading and bartering. In the context of the song, it suggests the continuous movement and disturbance caused by the woman. The song's message of seeking a better, spiritual home became a common theme in reggae music.
Line by Line Meaning
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
The constant back and forth and instability in our relationship is causing us both pain and sadness.
You're going from home to home making disturbances
You are causing chaos and disruption wherever you go, and it needs to stop.
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
It's past time for you to change your ways and stop causing trouble, you wicked woman.
The meek shall inherit this earth, you old Jezebel
Those who are humble and kind will ultimately triumph over those who cause harm and instability, like you.
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
Your negative impact is obvious to everyone, even without any proof or evidence.
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of causing harm, it's better to pursue a peaceful and spiritual life.
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Rather than hurting others, it's better to seek justice and freedom for those who are innocent.
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
Your actions will catch up with you eventually, and you will face the consequences of your behavior.
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
When will those who cause harm and suffering for others finally be defeated and justice be served?
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: JUSTIN HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
elkaosenpanama
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
You're going from town to town making disturbances
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
The meek shall inherit this Earth, you old Jezebel
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
Pryceless Prynce
(LYRICS)
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
You're going from town to town making disturbances
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
The meek shall inherit this Earth, you old Jezebel
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
zzz wy
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
You're going from town to town making disturbances
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
The meek shall inherit this Earth, you old Jezebel
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
Jahson Ntare
TYPICAL ENGAGED MUSIC
"Carry Go Bring Come" by Justin Hinds and the Dominoes was very popular in 1964 and is claimed to have criticised the then powerful J.L.P. political leader, Alexander Bustamante, also a trade unionist (founder and leader of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, which has been nearly coalesced into the J .L.P., whereas the P.N.P. has obtained a strong connection with the National Workers Union, established by Norman Manley). The J.L.P. was organised under the leadership of Bustamante in 1943, and the P.N.P. by M. Manley in 1938. (Interestingly Bustamante and Manley were cousins.)
The following is an excerpt from the song:
Carry go bring come, my dear, bring misery
Yuh goin' from home to home, making disturbancy
Time, yuh stop doin' those t'ings, Yuh ole Jezebel
The meek shall inherit the earth ...
Better to seek a home in Mt. Zion I
Instead of keepin' oppression upon a (h)innocent man
Time will tell yuh, yuh 01' Jezebel
How long shall de wicked reign over my people
RASTAFARIAN MUSIC IN CONTEMPORARY JAMAICA: A Study of Socioreligious Music
of the Rastafarian Movement in Jamaica
By Yoshiko S Nagashima
Teo P
...and after being "liberated", they're in even more misery 😂
Timeless song 👍
Chris Shaw
How long shall the wicked reign?
A brilliant tune with timeless powerful lyrics. Love it.
mark dilkes
One of the best Ska tunes around. The Meek shall inherit this Earth
Matt Champion
Slightly crappy sound quality? Hell no. This is fresh as hell. First-wave ska is supposed to sound like it was recorded in someone's bathroom.
ath-Thawra Ath-Thawra
I agree with you. 60's ska and rocksteady sound much richer and attractive than 80's or later same rhythms recordings. I wouldn't change that saucy auld sound.
Yakko Benefiel
Damned right.
Just Youtub’n For fun
Agreed. ✊🏽🤙🏽
Charles-Antoine Caron
So true :-)
elkaosenpanama
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery
You're going from town to town making disturbances
It's time you stopped doing those things, you old Jezebel
The meek shall inherit this Earth, you old Jezebel
It needs no light to see you're making disturbances
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
It's better to seek a home in Mount Zion high
Instead of keeping oppression upon innocent man
Time will tell on you, you old Jezebel
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
How long shall the wicked reign over my people?
BedStuyBro
Thanks. It's a bit hard to hear the vocals.