They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.
With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.
Ride On
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pack up your things children
'Cause Zion is waiting
Get yourselves together children
'Cause Zion is waiting
(Chorus)
Ah keep on riding on
Trod on trod on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
(Tell them)
What's sitting in the shadows must be revealed
To light
(No beg them)
We won't beg, steal or borrow 'cause
Everything alright
(They say)
They say our situation is getting out of hand
(I know)
But I know they'll never understand dis ya
Rasta man
(Chorus)
Every step Rasta take (if you're no careful)
Babylon try too
I don't know what to say the monkey won't do
Guilty or no guilty Babylon you going to pay
For what you did to my people Hear me Hear me
When I soy
(Chorus)
I say you can't afford to stop now children
You've got to keep on moving
You can't afford to stop my children
You've got to keep on grooving
Today for you I say tomorrow for me
Can't you see that the truth (yea)
It is so plain to see
You're living inna world of confusion
Soon it's gonna fade away
For whatever your works is
Jah know you gonna get your pay
(Chorus)
And me no John Wayne
But we riding on (riding on yea)
And me no Tarzan
But we singing on (Swing Swing Swing yea)
And me no Superman
But we flying Dread
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Third World's song Ride On are a call for the oppressed and marginalized to hold on to their faith, unite, and keep moving forward despite the obstacles in their path. The song begins with the instruction to "pack up your things children" because "Zion is waiting", a reference to the idea of an ideal society or promised land where freedom and justice will prevail. This is followed by the chorus's repetition of the phrase "ride on Jah children", which encourages the singer's fellow believers to continue their spiritual journey and to never give up, for they will be rewarded in the end.
The song also acknowledges the challenges that the oppressed have to face, "they say our situation is getting out of hand, but I know they'll never understand this ya Rasta man". The lyrics suggest that despite the obstacles, the singer will continue to trust in their faith and their community. The lyrics of the song highlight the importance of perseverance and solidarity in the face of adversity. The song ends on a note of hope with the idea that "whatever your works is, Jah know you gonna get your pay", implying that righteousness will ultimately be rewarded.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your things children
Get ready to leave and go to Zion, kids.
'Cause Zion is waiting
We're going to Zion, and we need to hurry up.
Get yourselves together children
Start getting ready and be prepared for the journey, kids.
(Chorus)
Come on, children, keep moving on this journey. Keep going forward, and don't stop.
What's sitting in the shadows must be revealed
To light
We need to expose secrets and bring them to light.
(No beg them)
We won't ask anyone for anything. We will make our own way.
They say our situation is getting out of hand
People are saying that our situation is getting worse.
But I know they'll never understand dis ya
Rasta man
The non-Rastafarian people will never understand our way of life and our values.
Every step Rasta take (if you're no careful)
Babylon try too
Babylon is always trying to stop our progress and growth.
I don't know what to say the monkey won't do
Babylon will do anything to stop us, but we still don't know what they will do next.
Guilty or no guilty Babylon you going to pay
For what you did to my people Hear me Hear me
When I soy
Babylon will pay for the harm they caused to my people, regardless of whether they confess to it or not.
I say you can't afford to stop now children
We can't slow down or stop, kids. We need to keep going.
You've got to keep on moving
We can't give up or lose momentum. We must keep going.
You can't afford to stop my children
Kids, we can't and won't let anything stop us.
You've got to keep on grooving
We must stay energized and motivated. Keep dancing, kids!
Today for you I say tomorrow for me
I'm doing this for us, and I'll worry about myself later.
Can't you see that the truth (yea)
It is so plain to see
The truth is obvious, but many people still don't see it.
You're living inna world of confusion
Soon it's gonna fade away
We're currently living in a world full of confusion, but change is coming.
For whatever your works is
Jah know you gonna get your pay
Everybody gets what they deserve eventually, and Jah knows that.
And me no John Wayne
But we riding on (riding on yea)
And me no Tarzan
But we singing on (Swing Swing Swing yea)
And me no Superman
But we flying Dread
We may not have any special powers or be famous heroes, but we're still pushing on this journey and not giving up.
(Chorus)
Let's continue forward, Jah children. Keep the faith and never stop.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLIAM ALEXANDER CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gigante desde 1498
RIDE ON
Pack up your things children
'Cause Zion is waiting
Get yourselves together children
'Cause Zion is waiting
Ride on Ride on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
Trod on trod on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
(Tell them)
What's sitting in the shadows must be revealed
To light
(No beg them)
We won't beg, steal or borrow 'cause
Everything alright
(They say)
They say our situation is getting out of hand
(I know)
But I know they'll never understand dis ya
Rasta man
Every step Rasta take (if you're no careful)
Babylon try too
I don't know what to say the monkey won't do
Guilty or no guilty Babylon you going to pay
For what you did to my people Hear me Hear me
When I soy
I say you can't afford to stop now children
You've got to keep on moving
You can't afford to stop my children
You've got to keep on grooving
Today for you I say tomorrow for me
Can't you see that the truth (yea)
It is so plain to see
You're living inna world of confusion
Soon it's gonna fade away
For whatever your works is
Jah know you gonna get your pay
Ride on Ride on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
Trod on trod on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
(Tell them)
What's sitting in the shadows must be revealed
To light
(No beg them)
We won't beg, steal or borrow 'cause
Everything alright
(They say)
They say our situation is getting out of hand
(I know)
But I know they'll never understand dis ya
Rasta man
And me no John Wayne
But we riding on (riding on yea)
And me no Tarzan
But we singing on (Swing Swing Swing yea)
And me no Superman
But we flying Dread
Ride on Ride on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
Trod on trod on Jah children (yea)
Ah keep on riding on
(Tell them)
What's sitting in the shadows must be revealed
To light
(No beg them)
We won't beg, steal or borrow 'cause
Everything alright
(They say)
They say our situation is getting out of hand
(I know)
But I know they'll never understand dis ya
Rasta man
Fonte: LyricFind
Compositores: William Alexander Clark
Letra de Ride On © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
inden301
Came across Third World in the early eighties when I was a baby Christian. Brought back so many good memories. They brought me so much joy in praising God. Love these guys.
Officialmight_
Ooooooo o
New Growth
I’m 46 and I remember listening to my moms albums everyday. This was a favorite. ❤️❤️❤️
Tangier Onyegegbu
My neighbor took me back playing this! I use to hear this every weekend in my household as a child, thanks to my mom and dad.❤💚💛🌍
Dino Govender
Ride on Bunny Rugs your music will never fade away
Rest in peace my Brother
J.B.
YES Golden voice Amsterdam miss Bunny
Saul Valdes
Cuando los conocí el reggae llegó a mi corazón 😂
roger seale
Third World..WAS ...and continues to be one of the foremost reggae bands ever!! period! Their longevity is a testament to their musical virtuosity and soulfulness. I have had the pleasure of listening to them perform on many occasions and will sorely miss Bunny. You got to raise your conscious high so Jah Jah love can rule the world my brother......
Donald McCray
Aswad
Charles Lowery
I am Jamaican and love my culture but back home they don't recognize them as a top band like most of other reggae bands such as steel pulse