'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.
Very Well
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very well, I'm leaving
There comes a time in life (I'm leaving)
When every man got to find his own plan, yeah
Very well, I'm leaving
'Cause this was written (I'm leaving)
By the Master, by the Master (I'm leaving)
But while the heathen reign (very well, I'm leaving)
Trying to keep I and I down (very well, I'm leaving)
That now, oh Jah, we can't get bread (very well)
Can't get bread, so I've got to leave
Very well, I'm leaving, oh yeah, oh yeah
Very well, I'm leaving
Forward I home, homeward I bound
Homeward I'm bound, no more turning back, I say
Forward I home, I said I've got to leave this place
Homeward I'm bound, oh yeah, oh yeah
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
Very well, I'm leaving, no more turning back, I say
Very well, I'm leaving, oh yeah, oh yeah
Forward I home, homeward I bound
Homeward I'm bound, no more turning back
Forward I home, I said I've got to leave this place
Homeward I'm bound
There comes a time in life (I'm leaving)
When every man got to find his own plan, yeah (very well, I'm leaving)
'Cause this was written (very well, I'm leaving)
By the Master, by the Master (I'm leaving)
But while the heathen reign (very well, I'm leaving)
Trying to keep I and I down (very well, I'm leaving)
That now, oh Jah, we can't get bread
Can't get bread, so I've got to leave
Very well I'm leaving, no more turning back, I say
Very well I'm leaving, oh yeah, oh yeah
Forward I home, homeward I bound
Homeward I'm bound, no more turning back, oh yeah
Forward I home, do you hear what the man say?
Homeward I'm bound, he said he wants to go
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
A do you hear what the man say?
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat, oh yeah, oh yeah
Very well, I'm leaving, no more turning back, I say
Very well I'm leaving
I've got to leave this place once and for all
Somehow or some other
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat (oohooh)
Forward I home, and I have been waiting too long
Homeward I'm bound, and it is time to us forward up
Forward I home, I just can't wait no longer
Homeward I'm bound, too much of fooling around
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat, (ooh waah, ooh waah, wah)
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat (waah, waah)
Very well, I'm leaving, no more turning back, no more turning back
Very well, I'm leaving, watch that
Forward I home, do you hear what my brother say?
Homeward I'm bound, he said he wants to go home
Forward I home, because a-homeward I'm bound
Homeward I'm bound
The song “Very Well” by Wailing Souls is a powerful anthem of determination and resilience. The lyrics of the song speak of a man who has made up his mind to leave a difficult situation and find his own path in life. The chorus of “Very Well, I’m Leaving” is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the singer’s commitment to his decision.
The first verse speaks of the need for every man to find his own plan, as written by the Master. The singer has made up his mind to leave because of the difficulties he faces in his current situation. He speaks of the heathen who are trying to keep him down and prevent him from achieving his goals. In this context, the repetition of the chorus becomes a statement of strength and defiance, showing that the singer is determined to overcome any obstacle in his path.
The second verse emphasizes the African roots of the singer’s music, with the sounds of the drum representing an African beat. The singer speaks of his journey homeward, with no turning back. He is leaving behind the struggles and hardships of his past life and moving forward towards a brighter future. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, showing that the singer is fully committed to his decision to leave and find his own way in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Very well, I'm leaving
I have made the decision to leave this place behind for good
There comes a time in life (I'm leaving)
When every man got to find his own plan, yeah
At some point in our lives, we all need to make our own way and create our own plans
'Cause this was written (I'm leaving)
By the Master, by the Master (I'm leaving)
I believe that my departure is part of a bigger plan created by a higher power
But while the heathen reign (very well, I'm leaving)
Trying to keep I and I down (very well, I'm leaving)
That now, oh Jah, we can't get bread (very well)
Can't get bread, so I've got to leave
Despite the obstacles and opposition I face, including a lack of resources, I still need to move on to succeed
Forward I home, homeward I bound
Homeward I'm bound, no more turning back, I say
Forward I home, I said I've got to leave this place
Homeward I'm bound
I am moving forward towards my destination, without looking back or questioning my decision to leave
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
The rhythm of the drum is a reminder of my cultural roots and identity
Very well I'm leaving, no more turning back, oh yeah
Forward I home, do you hear what the man say?
Homeward I'm bound, he said he wants to go
I am determined to leave this place behind and will not look back, as I am moving towards my desired destination
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat, oh yeah, oh yeah
The beat of the drum symbolizes the rhythm of life, and is a reminder of my cultural heritage
I've got to leave this place once and for all
Somehow or some other
I need to make a clean break and move on from this place, no matter what it takes
Forward I home, and I have been waiting too long
Homeward I'm bound, and it is time for us to move forward
Forward I home, I just can't wait no longer
Homeward I'm bound, too much of fooling around
It is time for me and others to move on and make progress towards our goals, rather than wasting time and waiting for change
Very well, I'm leaving, watch that
Forward I home, do you hear what my brother say?
Homeward I'm bound, he said he wants to go home
Forward I home, because a-homeward I'm bound
Homeward I'm bound
I am resolute and will not be deterred from my path, as I move forward towards my desired destination
Writer(s): Winston George Matthews
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mazafran7448
🎶 Very well, I'm leaving
Very well, I'm leaving
There comes a time in life (I'm leaving)
When every man got to find his own plan, yeah
Very well, I'm leaving
'Cause this was written (I'm leaving)
By the Master, by the Master (I'm leaving)
But while the heathen reign (very well, I'm leaving)
Trying to keep I and I down (very well, I'm leaving)
That now, oh Jah, we can't get bread (very well)
Can't get bread, so I've got to leave
Very well, I'm leaving, oh yeah, oh yeah
Very well, I'm leaving
Forward I home, homeward I bound
Homeward I'm bound, no more turning back, I say
Forward I home, I said I've got to leave this place
Homeward I'm bound, oh yeah, oh yeah
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
Every sound of the drum you hear
It's an African beat
@MrYawdyAlliance
Nice come back for the wailing soul 80s classic. Big up Winston
@tenaciousRas
Yet another legendary, top ranking, classic reggae tune in the epic sense.
@lola-belljones9926
I so am leaving UKKK, stolen from Africa, taken to Jamaica 🇯🇲, now homebound to Gambia 🇬🇲 Mama Africa 👍🏽✊🏽
@biggasmelly
GWAN MY SISTER.
@basquecheetah5989
SeneGambia here I come
@davidbennett8003
blessings jah shaka played this back in the day jah knows 🙏 🙌
@ZacheousJackson
Classic! Mi use to run dis pan mi sound system eena dance eena de 80's
@christinewilson4215
One of the baddest tunes🔥🔥🔥
@tenaciousRas
Would be the baddest tune of all time, except there is serious competition from the Souls and several other reggae bands for the tune with that title.
@axelnatural
A BIG CLASSIC TUUUUUUUUUUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!