Biography by Jo-Ann Greene
Even by Jamaic… Read Full Bio ↴www.allmusic.com
Biography by Jo-Ann Greene
Even by Jamaican standards, the Meditations' early career is convoluted, and both Ansel Cridland and Danny Clarke's careers were already well underway before the pair linked up. Cridland, born in 1951, moved to Kingston as a child, and apprenticed as a jockey. However, he ended up working odd jobs, before deciding to make his career as a singer, and formed the vocal group the Linkers during the rocksteady era. The group's lineup was fluid, but regardless, the Linkers recorded nearly a dozen singles, although none particularly hit with the public. Clarke, a Kingstonian by birth, had sung briefly with the Flames, Alton Ellis' backing group. Another Flame, Sweet P, introduced Clarke to Cridland, and the two became fast friends. By the early '70s, the two were recording as solo artists, even though both much preferred the sound of harmonies. Things finally began coalescing in 1974, when the pair decided to audition together at Channel One. There, Junior Delgado was holding auditions for label head JoJo Hookim. He was blown away by the pair's "Woman Is Like a Shadow," as was another young hopeful, Winston Watson, who offered up his falsetto harmonies on the spot.
The embryonic Meditations were now complete, but not yet birthed. "Woman" was recorded, but Hookim, unhappy with the results, refused to release it. The three continued writing and practicing together. Then, in late 1975, Clarke and Watson went down to Federal Studios where Dobby Dobson was holding auditions. Clarke offered up "Babylon Trap Them," and Watson "Woman Piabba"; Dobson recorded them both. Although Cridland supplied backing vocals on both numbers, the songs were released as solo singles. In 1976, the trio cut Cridland's "Tricked," credited to Ansel & the Meditations. That single brought the singers to television and helped snag them their first Caribbean, on a junket that included Culture, the Tamlins, Carl Dawkins, and Leroy Smart. By the end of the year, the group had officially become the Meditations.
During this time, they continued steadily recording with Dobson, and released Message From the Meditations, one of the most breath-taking debut albums ever recorded. Virtually the entire album had been, or would soon, be released as singles, from "Woman Is Like a Shadow" (which Dobson had gotten from Hookim, who then promptly released it on 45) through their first recordings for the producer, on through Cridland's seminal "Running From Jamaica" to the breezy "Changing of the Times." 1977 found them at Madison Square Garden with Calypso Rose, then, back home, the trio readied their next album. The seminal Wake Up arrived in 1978, and was again filled with another bundle of hit singles, including "Fly Natty Dread," "Turn Me Loose," and the title track. Intriguingly, the set also included a re-cut "Nyah Man Story," a song that dated from Cridland's days with the Linkers.
However, by now, the trio were extremely unhappy with the re-numeration they were receiving from Dobson, and severed their ties with the producer. Lee "Scratch" Perry was keen to pick up the reins. The Meditations had recorded several of Message's tracks at his Black Ark Studio, leaving the producer highly impressed. Although the group would not acquiesce to his demand to produce their next album, they were willing to cut a few singles for him. "No Peace," "House of Parliament," and "Think So" duly followed, with the latter song making quite a splash in Britain, where Island released it on the flip of the Cridland-produced "Life Is Not Easy" single. It was Perry that introduced the Meditations to Bob Marley this same year, a fortuitous meeting that resulted in the trio backing the Wailer on "Rastaman Redemption," "Blackman Redemption," and "Punky Reggae Party." The Meditations provided harmonies for innumerable other artists during the late '70s, notably Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs.
As the decade faded, the trio's star brightened. Marley's Tuff Gong label intended on putting out the Meditations new album, and released the exuberant "Miracles" single. A number of Wailers provided musical accompaniment on that song, as well a clutch of other recordings from this period. Unfortunately, Cridland had a falling out with Tuff's label manager, and with that, the projected album was no more. However, the Meditations did perform two songs at the legendary Peace Concert at Marley's request. It was 1980 before the group finally released their third album, Guidance, which was again filled with classic songs. But by then, international interest in reggae was beginning to wane, while Jamaicans were now under the thrall of the DJs.
Three more years passed before the trio returned with another full-length, No More Friend, sublimely backed by the Roots Radics. The set was overseen by Linval Thompson, who had produced a number of the group's singles earlier in the decade, including 1982's "Sit Down & Reason." In 1984, the group recorded a handful of songs, including a re-cut "Quiet Woman" and it's flip "Reggae Crazy," both fired by the Revolutionaries. By the end of the year, the Meditations were no more. Or at least not the original Meditations. Cridland carried on alone as Ansel Meditations, while Clarke and Watson continued as a duo under the Meditations name.
Cridland's solo career continued apace, via singles and two albums, 1988's Thunder on the Mountain and 1990's African Vengeance. Later, he joined forces with Yami Bolo for the excellent Tribute to Marcus Garvey album. Meanwhile, the Meditations were making equal in-roads in the States, touring to much success, and finally inking a new record deal with the U.S. Heartbeat label. That resulted in 1988's sublime album For the Good of Man. To the surprise of many fans, some of the set was overseen by Cridland. However, the trio's differences had been more geographical than personal or musical, with Cridland wanting to remain in Jamaica, while his bandmates preferring the greener pastures of the U.S. And so, in 1990, the trio re-formed, and two years later announced the fact on wax with Return of the Meditations. Compilations of their earlier material continued to appear since then, and today the group are seen as elder statesmen of a roots scene that they were so instrumental in defining.
Running From Jamaica
The Meditations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la
All who is running form Jamaica I hope is forever 2x
When the gate is close we don't want no napkin
When the gate is close we don't want no rou-kou-touk
Pick your place from now before is too late
Pick your place from now before you regret
When Noah was building his arc everyone laugh
But when the big flood came they star to weep and moan
Weep and moan
Weep and moan
Weep and moan
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now before it's too late
Pick your place from now before you regret
Guitar Solo
When Noah was building his arc everyone laugh
But when the big flood came they star to weep and moan
Weep and moan
Weep and moan
Weep and moan
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now before it's too late
Pick your place from now before you regret
Naa naa naaa naaa naa
You're not British born
Nooo nooo nnooo nooo
You're not American born
Noo nooo nnoo nnoo
You're not Canadian born
The Meditations' song "Running From Jamaica" portrays a sense of urgency to escape Jamaica, as if it is a sinking ship. The repetition of the phrase "All who are running from Jamaica, I hope it is forever" emphasizes the gravity of the situation. The lyrics imply that people are fleeing from the country, possibly due to political turmoil, violence or poverty. When the gate is close, no "napkin" or "rou-kou-touk," which may refer to bribes, will help to escape. This suggests that people are trying to leave unlawfully or without official permission. The lyrics warn the listener to "pick your place from now before it's too late" and "before you regret."
The song uses the story of Noah building the ark as a metaphor. Everyone laughed at Noah, just as the message of this song may be dismissed or ignored by certain people. When the big flood came, everyone started to "weep and moan." The allusion to Noah's story suggests that there may be a reckoning or a disaster coming for Jamaica, and the listeners need to prepare themselves and escape before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
All who is running form Jamaica I hope is forever 2x
If you're leaving Jamaica, make it a permanent decision.
When the gate is close we don't want no napkin
Don't try to come back when you're no longer welcome.
When the gate is close we don't want no rou-kou-touk
Don't beg your way back in when you're not wanted.
Pick your place from now before is too late
Decide where you want to be before it's too late.
All who are run run run
Everyone who's fleeing is in a hurry.
Pick your place from now before you regret
Make sure you choose where to go wisely to avoid regrets.
When Noah was building his arc everyone laugh
No one believed him when he warned of the impending flood.
But when the big flood came they star to weep and moan
When disaster struck, they realized they should have listened to Noah.
Weep and moan
They were filled with great sorrow and regret.
Let me tell you now
Listen closely, because I have something important to say.
Naa naa naaa naaa naa
You may not have been born in Britain.
Nooo nooo nnooo nooo
You may not have been born in America.
Noo nooo nnoo nnoo
You may not have been born in Canada.
Contributed by Aaron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1911gleap
All who is running from Jamaica, I hope it's forever
All who is running from Jamaica, hope it's forever
When the gate is closed, we don't want no napkin
When the gate is closed, we don't want no rou-kou-touk
So, pick your place from now, before is too late
All who are run, run, run, run
Pick your place from now, before you regret
When Noah was building his ark, everyone laughed
But when the big flood came, they started to weep and moan
(Weep and moan) Weep and moan (weep and moan)
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now, before it's too late
Pick your place from now, before you regret
(..)
When Noah was building his ark, everyone laughed
But when the big flood came, they started to weep and moan
(Weep and moan) Weep and moan (weep and moan)
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now, before it's too late
All who a run
Pick your place from now, before you regret
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
You're not British born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Or a Canadian born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
You're not American born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..
I wonder if Africa you're going
Thern Foster
Bam! What a tune! If you like this type of Reggae tune, then check out these other KILLER tracks!
Meditations - Babylon Trap Them
Lacksley Castell - Johnny Brown
Hugh Griffiths - African Dream
Abyssinians - Keep On
Eric Donaldson - Penny Farthing
Chezidek - You're Not Free
Bushman - It's So Easy
Jah Mali - Real Issues
Jah Mali - Every Man's Burden
I-Roy - Drifter
U-Roy - Chalice In The Palace
Big Youth - Cool Breeze
Ras Shiloh - Child Of A Slave
Burning Spear - Legal Hustlers
Burning Spear - Foggy Road (Remastered)
Lucky Dube - Back To My Roots
Garnett Silk - Green Line
Echo Minott - My Fat Millie
Alton Ellis - Big Bad Boy
Mikey Spice & Louie Culture - Grab Yuh Lass
Trevor Walters - Love Me Tonight
Mediations - Do Mama Do
Wailing Souls - Bagga Trouble
Maytones - Throw Down Your Arms
Maytones - Funny Man
Maytones - Johnny
Everton Blender - You Can Make It
Lucky Dube - Think About The Children
Norris Man - Babylon
Fantan Mojah - More Blessings From The Herb
Fantan Mojah - No Way
Louie Culture - Banco
Little John - Smoke Ganja Hard
Cultural Roots - Every Man Has A Right
Mike Anthony - Coming To Carry Us Home
Bim Sherman - Mighty Ruler
Barrington Levy - Don't Pretend
Barrington Levy - I've Got The Handle
Glen Lewis - Painted Face
Gregory Isaacs - Poor Millionaire
Half Pint - Mary Long Tongue
Freddie McKay - Jah Man
Freddie McGregor - Reggae Feeling
Don Carlos - Raving Tonight
Don Carlos - Young Girl
Jah Woosh - Reggae Music
Anthony Johnson - Spend Time Loving You
Earl Cunningham - Listen To The Words Of The Father
Enos McLeod - Tear Drops
Enos McLeod - Jericho
Bunny Lie Lie - Mr Dynamite
Pluto Shervington - Dancing Mood
Pluto Shervington - Your Honour
Culture - Ethiopians Waan Guh Home
Horace Andy - Just Say Who
Half Pint & Buccaneer - Don't Try To Use Me
Half Pint - She's Mine
Gladiators - Ship Without A Captain
Gladiators - Good Foundation
Dezarie - Ease The Pain
Duane Stephenson - Jah Reign
Reggae Appreciation Society
Nothing beats roots reggae ❤💛💚
greenscreener
I love this music. As a high school student in the U.S., I somehow found this album, and probably listened to it all the way through more than 100x...as well as Culture, Wailers, The Itals, Gladiators, Mighty Diamonds...all that amazing vocal trio sound. And I don't want to read into the lyrics too much, but I can't help but notice that most of the original members of this band, since recording "Running From Jamaica", have actually moved to the US....
RastA-Zulu
Healing sound 🕯🖤✊🏾
ericjungleboy
I remeber buying this in high school on tape as a kid growing up in the 80's in the San Fernando Valley. Almost no one I grew up around listened to this music but me. I didn't have anyone to guide me; just had to take a chance on the music. When Noah was building his ark everyone laughed, but when the big flood came, they had to weep and moan.
Karl Smith
ericjungleboy i
Marcus Tuuhetoka
May 19, 2019 still listening. Back round singer is a beast. 🎵🎶🎼🤙🏽
1911gleap
All who is running from Jamaica, I hope it's forever
All who is running from Jamaica, hope it's forever
When the gate is closed, we don't want no napkin
When the gate is closed, we don't want no rou-kou-touk
So, pick your place from now, before is too late
All who are run, run, run, run
Pick your place from now, before you regret
When Noah was building his ark, everyone laughed
But when the big flood came, they started to weep and moan
(Weep and moan) Weep and moan (weep and moan)
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now, before it's too late
Pick your place from now, before you regret
(..)
When Noah was building his ark, everyone laughed
But when the big flood came, they started to weep and moan
(Weep and moan) Weep and moan (weep and moan)
Let me tell you now
Pick your place from now, before it's too late
All who a run
Pick your place from now, before you regret
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
You're not British born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Or a Canadian born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
You're not American born
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..
I wonder if Africa you're going
Titanium Steel
love it love it 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
bank m€
Big up THE MEDITATIONS! 1 ❤
Alan Damaceno
clássico!