In the early days of the Wailing Souls, the first name that the group came … Read Full Bio ↴In the early days of the Wailing Souls, the first name that the group came up with in the late 60's was the Renegades. This group consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews on lead vocals, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald, and George 'Buddy' Haye. This line-up recorded backing vocals for an Ernest Ranglin album before breaking up in 1968.

'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.

Tom Sprang
Wailing Souls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Everyone did love him (Tom Sprang)
No one refuse him (Tom Sprang)
He was a man of his own (Tom Sprang)
He could run any errant

Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Everywhere he go (Tom Sprang)
Little children gather around him (Tom Sprang)
They love to hear him play his riddim (Tom Sprang)
And his guitar string
Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man

Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
They call him the village doctor (Tom Sprang)
He never had no one of his own (Tom Sprang)
So he live alone (Tom Sprang)
And anywhere he go, you hear them say
Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, he had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, he had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Tom Sprang, was a man I know
Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang, he had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man

(Tom Sprang, was a man I know)
Tom Sprang

Overall Meaning

The song "Tom Sprang" by Wailing Souls is a tribute to a man the band members knew and admired in their community. Tom Sprang appears to have been a kind, generous man who was well-loved by all. He had no family of his own, but the children in the village gravitated towards him, and he would play his guitar for them whenever they asked. His positive demeanor and willingness to lend a hand made him a valuable member of the community, earning him the nickname "the village doctor." Despite not having a lot of material possessions, Tom Sprang was a man who could run any errand and had everything he needed, including plenty of love and respect from those around him.

The lyrics of "Tom Sprang" evoke a sense of nostalgia and fondness for a man whose life is worth celebrating. The band sings in unison, with a deep sense of reverence for Tom Sprang. The repetition of his name throughout the lyrics creates a sense of familiarity and endearment. The chorus, "Tom Sprang, was a man I know, Tom Sprang used to live alone, Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go, Tom Sprang he was a good, good man" establishes the central theme of the song - Tom Sprang's life and character.

Overall, "Tom Sprang" is a touching tribute to a man who had a profound impact on his community. It highlights the importance of individual kindness in the lives of those around us and reminds us that even the simplest of lives can leave lasting impressions on the people around us.

Line by Line Meaning

Tom Sprang, was a man I know
I knew a man named Tom Sprang

Tom Sprang, used to live alone
Tom Sprang lived by himself

Tom Sprang, had nowhere to go
Tom Sprang had no place to call his own

Tom Sprang, he was a good, good man
Tom Sprang was a kind and honorable man

Everyone did love him (Tom Sprang)
Everyone who knew him loved Tom Sprang

No one refuse him (Tom Sprang)
No one ever turned down Tom Sprang's requests

He was a man of his own (Tom Sprang)
Tom Sprang was an independent individual

He could run any errant
Tom Sprang was capable of handling any task

Everywhere he go (Tom Sprang)
Tom Sprang traveled to many places

Little children gather around him (Tom Sprang)
Children were drawn to Tom Sprang

They love to hear him play his riddim (Tom Sprang)
Children enjoyed listening to Tom Sprang play his music