The reggae vocalist trio formed 1969 in Kingston, Jamaica by lead vocalist … Read Full Bio ↴The reggae vocalist trio formed 1969 in Kingston, Jamaica by lead vocalist Donald "Tabby" Shaw, and Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson. They had major success 1976 with the hit Right Time. The trio continued to produce hits in later years, e.g. the classic Pass The Kouchie (1982). That song was covered by the English group Musical Youth, known as the international hit Pass The Dutchie. Similar groups are The Heptones, The Gladiators.
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Mighty Diamonds are a Jamaican trio who had major success during the 70's at the 'Channel One' studio and record label at Maxfield Avenue, Jamaica.
Despite their heyday at Channel One, the trio continued to produce sublime work in later years, notably for 'Gussie Clarke' with the classic 'Pass The Kouchie' which rode an updated cut of an old Studio One instrumental called 'Full Up'. The tune was also covered by the English group 'Musical Youth' but was known as 'Pass The Dutchie'.

Right Time
The Mighty Diamonds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Natty Dread will never run away, no, no, no
Natty Dread will never run away
Marcus Garvey, prophesy say, oh yeah
Man a go find him back against the wall, yeah

It a go bitter when the right time comes
Lord, some a go charge fe treason
When the right time come, yeah, some a go charge fe arson

When the right time come, Lord, some a go charge fe murder
When the law man come, some a go run till dem tumble down

When the Parson come, him a go quote de scripture
Swallow field a go be in a, the battlefield, yeah, yeah

Natty Dread will never run away, no, no, no
Natty Dread will never run away, no my brethren
Dis ya a prophecy, hold dem Marcus
Dis ya a prophecy, hold dem Marcus
Swallow field a go be in a de battlefield, yeah, yeah

Natty Dread will never run away, no, no, no
Natty Dread will never run away, no my brethren
Dis ya a prophecy, dis ya prophecy

When the right time come Lord, some a go charge fe treason
When the right time come, some a go charge fe arson
When the right time come, Lord, some a go fe murder
When the law man come, some a go run till dem tumble down

When the parson come, him a go quote de scripture
Swallow field a go be in a, yeah, battlefield, yeah, yeah

Natty Dread will never run away, no, no, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Mighty Diamonds' song "Right Time" seem to be a warning to those who mistreat others or break the law. "Natty Dread," a term referring to someone with dreadlocks, "will never run away," indicating that those who stand up for what is right will not be intimidated by those who oppose them. The mention of Marcus Garvey in the second line implies that he predicted the arrival of a person or group who will fight against oppression and injustice, and that they will not back down even when their backs are against the wall. The lyrics suggest that those who commit crimes or engage in wrongdoing will eventually face the consequences of their actions.

The chorus repeats the idea that Natty Dread will never run away, emphasizing that those who stand up for what they believe in will not be defeated. The next section of the verse talks specifically about the consequences that wrongdoers will face when the "right time" comes. Those who committed treason, arson, or murder will face charges and justice will be served. The lyrics then suggest that when the law comes to arrest these criminals, they will run away until they "tumble down." The final lines of the song return to the reference of the Parson quoting scripture and the idea that the battlefield will be the swallow field.

Overall, the lyrics to "Right Time" seem to be a warning to those who think they can get away with crimes or mistreating others. The song suggests that justice will eventually be served, and that those who stand up for what is right will be the ones who ultimately triumph.

Line by Line Meaning

Natty Dread will never run away, no, no, no
A person with dreadlocks will never flee from their beliefs and principles.

Natty Dread will never run away
A person with dreadlocks will not succumb to pressure or run away from a challenge.

Marcus Garvey, prophesy say, oh yeah
Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political activist, predicted this prophecy.

Man a go find him back against the wall, yeah
A man will be pushed to his limits and made to feel cornered.

It a go bitter when the right time comes
There will be consequences to face when the right time comes.

Lord, some a go charge fe treason
Some will be accused of betrayal against their country or government.

When the right time come, yeah, some a go charge fe arson
When the right time comes, some will face charges for causing intentional fires.

When the right time come, Lord, some a go charge fe murder
When the right time comes, some will have to answer for committing murder.

When the law man come, some a go run till dem tumble down
Some will flee from the law until they become exhausted and give in.

When the Parson come, him a go quote de scripture
When the clergyman arrives, he will use quotes from the Bible to address the situation.

Swallow field a go be in a, the battlefield, yeah, yeah
The battlefield will be in a place called Swallow Field.

Dis ya a prophecy, hold dem Marcus
This is a prophecy and its validity is attributed to Marcus Garvey.

Natty Dread will never run away, no my brethren
A person with dreadlocks will never waver in their resolve, especially not amongst their peers.

When the right time come Lord, some a go charge fe treason
When the right time comes, some will be accused of treacherous acts against their country.

Dis ya a prophecy, dis ya prophecy
This is a prophecy being reiterated.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONALD SHAW, FITZROY SIMPSON, JOSEPH HOO KIM, LLOYD FERGUSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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