Bongo Red
the Gladiators Lyrics


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1) I-man don't like to get mix up (mix up, mix up)
By pushing me mouth in something I can't prove (no, no, no)
I-man don't take hearsay (hearsay)
Them kind of things bring mix up (mix up, mix up)
I-man no say what next man say (next man say)
I like to prove things for I-self (for I-self)

2) So I take a walk from 6th street
Trying to prove something
Going to the bottom of 8th street
From corner to corner you can hear
Yes, the youth dem a shout:
Natty dread, yes them dread

3) Natty dread, natty rule
Natty cool, (cool-cool natty dread)
Yes them dread
For they stand up in Babylon

repeat 2)
repeat 3)
repeat 3)

I-man don't like to get mix up.......

repeat 2)




repeat 3)
repeat 3)

Overall Meaning

The opening verses of The Gladiators' song, "Bongo Red," makes it clear that the singer of the song, I-man, is a person of principle. He doesn't like to get mixed up in rumors or hearsay and is more interested in proving things to himself. He takes a walk from 6th street to the bottom of 8th street, trying to establish something. As he walks, he listens to the shouts of the youth who are calling out to him as a natty dread, a term that suggests a person who has embraced Rastafarianism.


The chorus of "Bongo Red" reinforces this image, as the song celebrates a natty dread who is standing tall in Babylon, determined, defiant, and self-sufficient. These lyrics capture the Rastafarian worldview to a significant degree. Rastafarianism is a religion that originated in Jamaica in the early 20th century and emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, self-determination, and self-love. The natty dread in "Bongo Red" embodies these ideals and offers inspiration to others who wish to stand tall in the face of adversity and oppression.


Overall, "Bongo Red" is a song that celebrates the power, resilience, and determination of the Rastafarian community. The lyrics speak to the importance of staying true to oneself, avoiding rumors and hearsay, and being willing to take action to prove one's worth. The song's catchy rhythms and uplifting melody make it a powerful and infectious anthem that continues to inspire generations of listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

I-man don't like to get mix up (mix up, mix up)
I prefer to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.


By pushing me mouth in something I can't prove (no, no, no)
I don't want to speak about things I don't have evidence or facts to support.


I-man don't take hearsay (hearsay)
I don't believe in rumors or unconfirmed information.


Them kind of things bring mix up (mix up, mix up)
Those things often lead to confusion and problems.


I-man no say what next man say (next man say)
I don't repeat or spread what other people say without verifying it myself.


I like to prove things for I-self (for I-self)
I prefer to investigate and verify things by myself before accepting them as true.


So I take a walk from 6th street
I decided to take a stroll.


Trying to prove something
I was looking for evidence to validate something.


Going to the bottom of 8th street
I walked to the end of the street.


From corner to corner you can hear
Everywhere around, you could hear.


Yes, the youth dem a shout:
The young people were shouting:


Natty dread, yes them dread
They were calling me 'Natty Dread.'


Natty dread, natty rule
Being 'Natty Dread' means having power and influence.


Natty cool, (cool-cool natty dread)
Being 'Natty Dread' is also associated with being calm and collected.


Yes them dread
That's what they were calling me.


For they stand up in Babylon
Because they resist oppression and injustice in the oppressive society.




Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Eduardo S. (Dudu)

Para mim, essa música é uma verdadeira obra de arte! É muito lindaaaaaa😍😍😍

Jonathan Oliveira

Eu choro toda vida que escuto. Me lembro do meu ex- patrão. assassinaram ele por dinheiro 😢

Margeir Ólafsson

Albert Griffiths (Born 1 January 1946 - Died 15 December 2020) was an Jamaican singer and guitarist.

A. D.

Je l'aime Merci beaucoup.

Mila Brigadeiros

Perfect

Reggae Music 🇲🇱

🔥🔥🔥

Douglas Teran

Naty Red, Naty Roots, Naty Cool!!!!

Rodrigo Fonseca

uooooolll!

ray rawhiti

yoza

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