'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.
The Gun
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now they all got to run, yes they do
Why did you give them a gun?
Ain't no time to have fun
Black days and black, black nights
All over the town, whoa now
There's gonna be shot, shot, shot
Why did you give them a gun?
Now they all got to run, yes they do
Why did you, why did you give them a gun?
Ain't no time to have fun
People running around in circles
Got nowhere to turn
People running around in circles
Will they ever learn?
Whoa oh, now
Why did you give them a gun?
Now they all got to run, whoa oh
Why did you, why did you give them a gun?
Ain't no time to have fun
Blacker days and black, blacker nights
All over the town, whoa now
There's gonna be shot, shot, shot
Until there ain't none
Johnny never know
Why did you give them a gun? Whoa
Now they all got to run
Run, run, run, I say
Why did you give
them a gun?
In this song, Wailing Souls addresses the issue of gun violence in society with a question that seems to be directed to those in power or those who have the authority to give out guns. The lyrics of the song express the pain and struggles that arise as a result of the presence of guns in the hands of people who shouldn't have them.
The chorus, "Why did you give them a gun? Now they all got to run, yes they do," suggests that the guns were given to people who have caused chaos and destruction, forcing innocent people to flee in fear of their lives. The lyrics, "Black days and black, black nights, all over the town, whoa now, there's gonna be shot, shot, shot, until there ain't none, oh now," speak to the destruction of communities where gun violence is rampant, where nights are dark and long with the sound of gunshots ringing out constantly.
The lyrics also capture the hopelessness and despair felt by the victims of gun violence. "People running around in circles, got nowhere to turn, will they ever learn?" indicates how people are constantly living in fear and having to run vigilantly every time they hear gunshots. The song ends with the line "Johnny never know," which can be interpreted as a tragic ending as someone named Johnny seemed to have died as a result of gun violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Why did you give them a gun?
Questioning the decision to provide someone with such a dangerous weapon
Now they all got to run, yes they do
The use of guns creates fear, causing people to flee
Ain't no time to have fun
The presence of guns eliminates the possibility of carefree enjoyment
Black days and black, black nights
A metaphor for the dark and bleak atmosphere created by gun violence
All over the town, whoa now
The destructive effects of guns can touch any community, anywhere
There's gonna be shot, shot, shot
The inevitable outcome of having so many weapons in circulation
Until there ain't none, oh now
The endless cycle of violence and loss that results from a society saturated with guns
People running around in circles
The confusion and panic that sets in during a gun-related incident
Got nowhere to turn
A feeling of being trapped and helpless in the face of gun violence
Will they ever learn?
A lament for the seeming inability of society to recognize the harm caused by guns and take effective action
Run, run, run, I say
An urgent call to action, urging people to take steps to address the problem of gun violence
Johnny never know
A reference to the tragic and senseless loss of life that often results from the use of guns
Writer(s): Mcdonald
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@edwinwachira7317
been looking for this song for years. thanks, guy. it's funny how not even the official is on the net today. it is a great song.
@AswadDread
I have no notion what we think any more as mankind!! thanks for guys like you who posted this!!!!!
@sevensclash
really good song, thanks
@Simonrioks
True vibes..
@TheBolillo310
great song, great vid, thanx
@AswadDread
AT LEAST THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH CONSCIOUSNESS
@mikekamau2977
King lion sounds sauti ya simba it started at starlet then came Brilliant Heathrow Achievers cityhall,,all massive corna mbaya ungwaro motherland hotline D huruma marish Jeri bangu
@manuelarmenta5485
Just why?..