'Pipe' and 'Bread' teamed up with two other singers after that, Oswald Downes and Norman Davis, and recorded the single "Gold Digger" for producer, Lloyd "Matador" Daley. From there they went on to work with Coxsone Dodd's famous Studio One label recording label, considered the "Motown" of Jamaica.
They recorded a number of singles there, and were also billed as the Classics, in addition to their Wailing Souls name. In the early 70's, the Souls recorded for Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label, as Pipe and The Pipes. There at Tuff Gong they had hits with "Harbor Shark" and "Back Biter". The groups vocal power, and song writing ability has kept the group in the spotlight, and in 1974 the group changed again when Downes and David left and 'Buddy' Haye rejoined. The 'godfather of reggae', Joe Higgs, also worked with the group in the mid-70's, but left to work with Jimmy Cliff as his musical director on tour.
The group entered another era of their careers as they began work with famed producer "Jo Jo" Hookim and his Channel One label. With Hookim, they recorded more classics like "Things and Times," "Joy With Your Heart," and "Very Well." Shortly after in 1976, Rudolph 'Garth' Dennis one of founding members of Black Uhuru, joined the group.
The Souls then started their own label in 1977 called Massive, and hit with their first singles "Bredda Gravilicious" and "Feel The Spirit." In the early 80's the quartet worked with a number of hot producers including Sly and Robbie recording "Old Broom"on their Taxi Label, "Fire House Rock" for "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Label, and for producer/singer Linval Thompson.
Their touring and recording continued throughout the 80's. After recording these classic tracks for genius producer King Jammy in 1988-89, the group broke up again, but Pipe and Bread have continued the Wailing Souls on their own throughout the 90's recording (two Grammy nominated albums included) and touring worldwide. 'Garth' Dennis rejoined Black Uhuru to work with them in the early/mid 90's and "Buddy" Haye has taken a leave from singing since.
Down On The Rocks
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
Sometime coffee, sometime tea
A dollar or two
From your good friends would do
For many a days, yeah, when the goings get rough, I say
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
Sixteen family living in a one yard
Sharing one room apartment, man a so it hard
Little children roaming the street
Looking for daddy and something to eat
Nowhere to find
No peace of mind, yeah
Down on the rocks, down on the rocks, where suffering grows
Down on the rocks, every day, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
The Wailing Souls' song "Down on the Rocks" depicts the struggles and hardships of poverty-ridden individuals and families. The repeated chorus "Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes/Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks" emphasizes the hopelessness and desperation felt by those residing in slums or run-down neighborhoods. Along with the use of "brethren" and "sistren," the song highlights the sense of community and solidarity that arises from shared struggles.
The lyrics also touch upon the daily routines of those struggling to make ends meet. "Sometime coffee, sometime tea/A little chocolate and a draw a weed/A dollar or two/From your good friends would do" encapsulates the simple pleasures and occasional kindnesses that can provide momentary relief from poverty. The song then shifts to a more somber depiction of poverty, with "Sixteen family living in a one yard/Sharing one room apartment, man a so it hard/Little children roaming the street/Looking for daddy and something to eat/Nowhere to find/No peace of mind, yeah." These verses convey a sense of hopelessness and despair for those caught in a cycle of poverty.
Line by Line Meaning
Down on the rocks, my brethren, down on the rocks, yes
Facing a difficult situation, my fellow men, struggling to rise above it.
Down on the rocks, my sistren, down on the rocks
Fighting against adversity, my fellow women, on the verge of giving up.
Sometime coffee, sometime tea
Sometimes we have the luxury of enjoying simple pleasures.
A little chocolate and a draw a weed
Occasionally we indulge in vices to help us cope with our challenges.
A dollar or two
A small amount of money can make a big difference when times are tough.
From your good friends would do
We rely on the generosity of others to help us through difficult times.
For many a days, yeah, when the goings get rough, I say
We have been enduring hardships for a long time, and it's not getting any easier.
Sixteen family living in a one yard
A large family sharing a cramped living space is a common occurrence where we come from.
Sharing one room apartment, man a so it hard
We struggle to survive in a small, confined living space.
Little children roaming the street
Young kids are left to fend for themselves on the streets due to poverty and lack of resources.
Looking for daddy and something to eat
Children are searching for their fathers and some food to ease their hunger.
Nowhere to find
There is no help or relief in sight for those facing severe hardship.
No peace of mind, yeah
With so much struggle and adversity, it is almost impossible to find peace of mind.
Down on the rocks, down on the rocks, where suffering grows
We are in a place of extreme hardship and suffering, with little hope of improvement.
Down on the rocks, every day, down on the rocks, yes
Our situation is chronic and unchanging, and every day is a struggle.
Writer(s): Matthews Winston
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@flyinkauaian
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Sometime coffie sometime tea
A little chocolate and a draw a weed
A deliar or two from your good friends would do
For many a days yeah when the goings get rough I say
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Sixteen family living in a one yard
Sharing one room apartment man a so it hard
Little children roaming the street
Looking for daddy and something to eat
Nowhere to find no peace of mind
Down on the rocks down on the rocks where suffering grows
Down on the rocks every day down on the rocks yeah
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
@thehitmangooner9123
the bits are so relaxing...loving the tune even in 2018
@erinschultz4548
Love them so much! Pure and genuine
@nikpoopie
i seriously love this song and turn to it in times of need. thank you for posting!
@SidneyBandula
Great song I love it
@elywananda
My sons love singing this song. The chorus is very catchy and uplifting, but as they get older they'll realise it's a sufferers hymn.
@cwhitt26
Great song to relax too !!
@flyinkauaian
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Sometime coffie sometime tea
A little chocolate and a draw a weed
A deliar or two from your good friends would do
For many a days yeah when the goings get rough I say
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Sixteen family living in a one yard
Sharing one room apartment man a so it hard
Little children roaming the street
Looking for daddy and something to eat
Nowhere to find no peace of mind
Down on the rocks down on the rocks where suffering grows
Down on the rocks every day down on the rocks yeah
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my brethren down on the rocks
Down on the rocks my sistren down on the rocks
@sionengu1747
flyinkauaian thanks for the lyrics👍
@willismomanyi8378
i do love dis tune big up to all my fallen and living friends
@awindavlog8141
Lay it on the line...nice brother and sister tune.