In the late 80s, interest was renewed, when Jules Shear heard them playing at the Trident - he returned later & produced Pop 'N' Mento & other albums. A new album - Great Expectation - is slated for release, late 2010. Official site: Furious.com/perfect/JollyBoys.html
I Fought The Law
The Jolly Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I miss my baby and i miss my fun,
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I miss my baby and i feel so sad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
law won
The lyrics of "I Fought The Law" by The Jolly Boys tell the story of a man who has fallen on hard times and turned to a life of crime in order to make ends meet. He is breaking rocks in the hot sun and robbing people with a six-gun, all for the sake of money. However, he ultimately realizes that his actions have consequences, and the law ultimately catches up to him. He has to leave his beloved girlfriend behind and face the consequences of his actions. The repetition of "I fought the law and the law won" drives home the message that breaking the law is never the answer.
The song was originally written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets in 1958, but it was the 1979 cover by The Clash that made it famous. The Jolly Boys are a Jamaican mento band who specialize in covers of classic rock and pop songs, and their version of "I Fought The Law" puts a unique twist on the well-known tune. Their use of traditional Caribbean instruments such as bongos and banjos gives the song a distinctive sound that sets it apart from other covers.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I was doing hard labor in the scorching heat
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I tried to defy the legal system, but I was ultimately defeated
I needed money 'cause I had none
I was desperate for cash because I was broke
I left my baby and it feels so bad
Leaving my significant other hurt me deeply
Guess my race is run
It seems my luck has run out and I'm doomed
She's the best girl that I ever had
My lover was the greatest person I've ever been with
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I resorted to armed robbery to get what I wanted
I miss my baby and i miss my fun
I long for the good times I had with my lover and the thrills of my past activities
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I tried and failed to resist the legal system once again
I fought the law and the
I fought against the law, but there's nothing more to say
I fought the law and the law won
I tried to fight the legal system, but I was defeated
Writer(s): SONNY CURTIS
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheAce24
One of the greatest covers I’ve ever heard. Simply brilliant!
MrMusicleon
прошу прощения господа за мою музыкальную безграмотность! музыке отдано более 40 лет, но с этим чудным коллективом встречаюсь впервые! потрясающе красиво, настолько органичный вокал, ну и конечно каверы в их исполнении это что-то! I say only two words - simply wonderful
Elizabeth de Andrade Beth Andrade
maravilhoso!
JohnEpi
Best cover , after the Clash...but really brilliant , man, great up ! Made my day !
corra portuesi
I don't know but....I can't stay in front of this laptop without moving...great song!!!
mandrake mandrake
don't worry, you are not the only one
Γιαννης Λαμπος
Love em!!
JUAN FRANCISCO
ESA ..... HEAVY.......GENIAL , GRAN COVER.......
blackeyedjoe
Sonny Curtis wrote and recorded the original version with the Crickets, shortly after Buddy Holly's death in 1959. Bobby Fuller just covered the song and so The Clash did.
René A.M. SCHELL
I love the Jamaican style ... Wonderful !