'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.
Move On
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rasta people say we must live on
We as the people say we must live on
It doesn't matter what place you're from
We must live on
There is power in their game and so are we
Take a look in the mirror and the image you see
You got to take full control of your destiny
First they take your land and your food
Then your music and your birthright too
I and I people must live on
Rasta people say we must live on
I and I people say we must live on
It doesn't matter what race you're from
We must live on
(.)
We have been through many ups and downs
But oh Lord, we are still around (thanks and praises)
So was the Indian, so was the Jews
So was the black man, so was everyone
It doesn't matter what nation are you from
I got to tell you we must all live as one
I and I people must live on
Jah Jah people say we must live on
Yeah, I and I people must live on
Jah Jah people say we must live on
Say we must live on, I and I people
Say we must live on, yeah, yeah
We must come together as one people
Say we must live on, yeah
Honour and gold will fade away
But your dignity is here to stay
There is always wolves in sheep clothing
Beware, for they will take your soul, yeah now
They will take your land and your food
Take your music and your birthright too
Ooo ooo. must live on
Jah Jah people say we must live on
I and I people say we must live on
Heartical people say we must live on
We as the people say we must live on
It doesn't matter what race you're from
We must live on
Whoa, whoa, we must come together
As one people, say we must live on
The lyrics to Wailing Souls' "Move On" are a call to action for people to persevere despite the adversities they face. The song emphasizes the need for unity and strength in the face of oppression, where the fate of the individual is tied in with that of the community. The opening lines repeat the message of the song's title: "I and I people must live on/Rasta people say we must live on/We as the people say we must live on/It doesn't matter what place you're from/We must live on." The use of "I and I people" illustrates the unity of the community that the song emphasizes, where everyone is included as part of the same struggle.
As the song progresses, the message becomes more pointed, urging people not to be beholden to external influences that might usurp their agency: "Take a look in the mirror and the image you see/Don't you try to be a wanna be/You got to take full control of your destiny/First they take your land and your food/Then your music and your birthright too." The reference to the loss of land and food is a nod to colonialism and its impact on indigenous, Black, and brown people worldwide. The reference to the loss of music and birthrights can be seen as a nod to the phenomenon of cultural erasure, where stories and traditions are lost, and people are left adrift.
The song's chorus continues, emphasizing the need for unity and the fact that the struggle is universal: "We have been through many ups and downs/But oh Lord, we are still around (thanks and praises)/So was the Indian, so was the Jews/So was the black man, so was everyone/It doesn't matter what nation are you from/I got to tell you we must all live as one." The song's message of perseverance against oppression and the need for unity is a timeless one that resonates with people globally.
Line by Line Meaning
I and I people must live on
The Rasta community believes they must continue living on.
Rasta people say we must live on
The Rasta community believes they must continue living on.
We as the people say we must live on
The community believes that they must keep living on despite life challenges.
It doesn't matter what place you're from
Everyone should keep living on no matter where they’re from.
There is power in their game and so are we
The society as a whole has power just like the people in authority.
Take a look in the mirror and the image you see
Reflect on your own personal power and what image you project to the world.
Don't you try to be a wanna be
Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
You got to take full control of your destiny
Control your own life and future rather than letting others do it for you.
First they take your land and your food
The authorities exploit people by taking important resources like land and food.
Then your music and your birthright too
The authorities exploit people by taking away their cultural identity and history.
We have been through many ups and downs
Despite life’s many challenges, society has persevered.
But oh Lord, we are still around (thanks and praises)
Society is still standing despite its struggles, something to be thankful for.
So was the Indian, so was the Jews
Other cultures that have faced challenges, like the Indian and Jewish people.
So was the black man, so was everyone
All cultures have had their struggles in life.
It doesn't matter what nation are you from
Your nationality doesn’t matter when it comes to persevering through life.
I got to tell you we must all live as one
Everyone should come together and live as a unified society.
Honour and gold will fade away
Material possessions will eventually be lost over time.
But your dignity is here to stay
Your personal value and self-worth will remain constant.
There is always wolves in sheep clothing
There will always be those who pretend to be something they’re not in order to exploit others.
Beware, for they will take your soul, yeah now
These exploiters will take advantage of you at the risk of your own well-being.
Heartical people say we must live on
The virtuous people believe they must keep persevering through life.
We as the people say we must live on
The society as a whole believes they must keep living on despite life challenges.
Whoa, whoa, we must come together
Everyone should band together for the greater good.
As one people, say we must live on
Everyone should unite as one and continue persevering through life.
Writer(s): WINSTON MATTHEWS, LLOYD WOODROW JAMES, LLOYD MCDONALD
Contributed by Sophia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@waruingimwaniki
Kenyans and reggae. Feels right.
@mwangikimani3059
Mambo yote muthee
@mzeemarkus
💯🇰🇪
@edwin2394
Jamaica makes the music Kenya owns it🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
@ijahmankevin7811
Hii ngoma iliniinua nikiwa chini sitawahi sahau...🔥🔥🔥
@sammwashoni9819
There's something about this tune,I just don't know,I find so much peace listening to it🥺🥺
@mikerichmond7669
Real
@billalphilip5776
Ni hapo kwa move onnn...carry onnn...life goes onnn
@davymckenzie5605
True
@franklinjack4005
Big tune...as long as there is life there is hope never give up my friends for that's when you are gaining 🤝🙌