Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
Who Gave The Order
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who gave the orders
For them to go, alright
Who gave the orders
Martin was shut down, ah, alright
Who gave the orders
To drop the bomb, we want to knowWho gave the orders
No refugees across the borders, yeah
Questions asked with no response, ey, Wyclef
Who's gonna answer
Where did all these guns come from, tell me, ey
Who's gonna answer
Feeding lies to our daughters and sons
But they will have to answer
Then what you gonna do when the Rastaman comes
Where you gonna run for cover
Looking through the window of my ire eyes
On this city filled with lies
Observing the people working so hard
Doing whatever it takes to get by
Then I look at myself and realize
That I was put here for a reason
Lord knows I've done my best and I've tried
We gon' keep trying
Who gave the orders
For them to go, Lord no
Who gave the orders
Martin was gunned down, oh
Who gave the ordersTo drop the bomb, my God
Who gave the orders
No refugees across the borders, who
Questions asked with no response, ey, Wyclef
Who's gonna answer
Where did all these guns come from, tell me
Who's gonna answer
Feeding lies to our daughters and sons
They will have to answer
Then what they gonna do when the Rastaman comes
Where you gonna run for cover
Well what you gonna do, what you gonna do, what are you gonna do
Incarcerate a million and only free few
What was done to others, it shall be done to you
Open up your eyes and you will see the full view
Work all day, and you can't get raise in pay
Civilly bodies being taken away
I wonder what the voice of the people have to say
Stand up and defend your rights today
Who gave the orders, who gave the orders
For them to go
Who gave the orders
Martin was gunned down, Martin was gunned down, oh, Martin was gunned down
Who gave the orders, who gave the orders
To drop the bomb
Who gave the orders, who gave the orders
No refugees across the borders, no, no, no, no
Questions asked with no response, ey, Wyclef
Who's gonna answer
Where did all these guns come from, Wyclef, ah
Who's gonna answer
Telling lies to our daughters and sons
They will have to answer
Then what they gonna do when the righteous man comes
Where you gonna run for cover
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean's song Who Gave The Order address the issue of power and accountability with regards to decisions that affect people's lives. The repeated question of "Who gave the orders" is a questioning of authority, demanding that the people in charge take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The song mentions specific events, such as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and the dropping of bombs, but the larger focus is on the pervasiveness of this abuse of power and the urgent need for change. The lyrics speak to the frustration of being a witness to injustice and collective threads of resistance and hope.
There is a sense of defiance and perseverance throughout the song, with phrases like "we gon' keep trying" and "stand up and defend your rights today." At the same time, there is a recognition that this fight is not an easy one, and that there are risks for those who stand up against power. The final line of the song, "Where you gonna run for cover," is a haunting reminder that those who seek justice may be pushed to the margins of society, but it also serves as a call to action to keep fighting for what is right.
Overall, the song Who Gave The Order is a powerful critique of power and calls for accountability and justice. It is a call to action and to remain steadfast in the face of injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm Buju Banton with the preacher's son
I come from the same lineage as Buju Banton with a father who is a preacher
Who gave the orders
For them to go, alright
Who authorized the action to proceed?
Martin was shut down, ah, alright
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated
Who gave the orders
To drop the bomb, we want to know
Who authorized the bombing that occurred?
Who gave the orders
No refugees across the borders, yeah
Who ordered that no refugees be allowed across the borders?
Questions asked with no response, ey, Wyclef
Who's gonna answer
We have asked questions, but there has been no response; who will respond?
Where did all these guns come from, tell me, ey
Who's gonna answer
Where did all these firearms come from, who is responsible for their distribution?
Feeding lies to our daughters and sons
But they will have to answer
Falsehoods are being told to our children, but those who spread them will one day have to answer for their actions
Then what you gonna do when the Rastaman comes
Where you gonna run for cover
When justice is served by the Rastaman, where will the guilty parties hide?
Looking through the window of my ire eyes
On this city filled with lies
As I observe the city through my angry eyes, I see a place filled with deceit
Observing the people working so hard
Doing whatever it takes to get by
Watching people diligently working hard to survive
That I was put here for a reason
Lord knows I've done my best and I've tried
We gon' keep trying
I believe I have a purpose and have done my best to fulfill it, and I will continue trying
Well what you gonna do, what you gonna do, what are you gonna do
Incarcerate a million and only free few
What actions will be taken? Will one million be put in prison, but few actually set free?
What was done to others, it shall be done to you
Open up your eyes and you will see the full view
The repercussions of past actions will eventually manifest; open your eyes to the consequences that will follow
Work all day, and you can't get raise in pay
Civilly bodies being taken away
Working tirelessly, yet receiving no pay raise and dealing with the unjust taking of human life
I wonder what the voice of the people have to say
Stand up and defend your rights today
I am curious as to what the people will have to say and encourage standing up for their rights
Who's gonna answer
Telling lies to our daughters and sons
Who will answer for the falsehoods spread to our children?
Then what they gonna do when the righteous man comes
Where you gonna run for cover
What will happen when justice is served, where will the guilty parties hide?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY DUPLESSIS, MARK ANTHONY MYRIE, MYRIE MARK, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind