'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.
Hard Living
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Really, really so hard
Hard living in a shanty town
Hard living in a shanty town
So hard, really so hard
When you're up, you're never far from down
So hard, really so hard
Hard living when you're always broke
All you hear is man go look a work, oh
Hard living when you're down and out
Leaking ship will never stay afloat, Lord
Dem a fight over the dungaree
Looking something to eat, Lord
Backing up against the concrete wall
Winner will take it all, whoa
Hard living in a shanty town
Hard living in a shanty town
So hard, really so hard
Fall asleep and you may lose your ground, oh
So hard, really so hard
Gone to bed, you're always wearing a frown, oh
(.)
Oh, bredda Kaiser cook a pot of food
Feeling the multitude, Lord
Come from near, most a dem come from far
Survivors of ghetto wars, Lord
Hard living in a shanty town
Hard living in a shanty town
So hard, really so hard
When you're up, you're never far from down
So hard, really so hard
Sheriff boss, he never comes around, oh
Hard living in a shanty town, oh
Hard living in a shanty town
So hard, really so hard
Fall asleep and you
may lose your ground, oh
So hard, really so hard
Gone to bed, you're always wearing a frown, oh
The Wailing Souls' song "Hard Living" depicts the struggles of living in a shanty town. The repetition of "really, really, really, really" at the beginning emphasizes the intensity and harshness of the lives being led. The lyrics describe the difficulties of poverty - always being on the brink of failure, the constant struggle to find work, and the inevitability of failure when resources are so scarce. The sheriff is absent, leaving the residents of the shanty town to fend for themselves. The lyrics vividly depict the fighting over basic necessities like food, and the daily reality of being backed against a concrete wall in a battle for survival.
The song also touches on the resilience and camaraderie of those living in such dire conditions. Bredda Kaiser cooks a pot of food for the multitude, and those who have survived the "ghetto wars" support each other despite the circumstances. However, the final lines of the song suggest the unrelenting nature of the hardship and the toll it takes on those living in the shanty town. Sleep is threatened by the constant instability and worry, and even when one does finally manage to rest, a frown remains a permanent feature.
Overall, "Hard Living" is a poignant and moving portrayal of the difficulties of living in a shanty town, and the strength of those who live there.
Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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