Lyrics
Don't drink coffee, I drink roots my dear
Expressing a preference for roots over coffee, possibly alluding to herbal or natural drinks.
And I love my morning ride
Enjoys the morning ride, implying a positive and energetic start to the day.
You can see it in my motions when I walk
Body language reflects cultural identity while walking.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
Identifying as a Jamaican in the city of New York.
See me walking down Church Avenue
Specific location mentioned, Church Avenue, indicating a sense of place and community.
With my hat leaned to one side
Describing a distinctive way of wearing a hat, suggesting a unique style.
You can see it when I walk
Reiterating the cultural identity expressed through walking.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
Reaffirming the Jamaican identity in the context of New York.
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
Expressing the dual identity of being an alien and a legal alien while emphasizing the Jamaican identity.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
-I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
-I'm a Jamaican in New York
-Roughness makes man, as someone said
Attributing strength and character to rough experiences.
He is the rude boy of the day
Claiming the status of a rude boy, a term associated with a rebellious attitude in Jamaican culture.
Takes a man to make a stand, sometimes get wild
Encouraging individuality and standing up for oneself despite societal opinions.
Be yourself, no matter what they say
-I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
Reiterating the dual identity as an alien and a Jamaican in New York.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
-I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
-I'm a Jamaican in New York
-Niceing up our party, can lead to notoriety
Suggesting that enjoying life can attract attention, even from authorities, but advocating for celebration despite adversity.
Pretty soon they'll know you as the Don
-Because we live so hearty, Babylon don't like we
-Still we're gonna party till the sun
-And you don't stop, you proceed
Encouraging perseverance and delivering a positive message through music (rhyme) with Shinehead taking the lead.
And this is the message and rhyme you need
-Shinehead's gonna take the lead
-All yard man, put up your hand
Uplifting the Jamaican community in New York, emphasizing ambition, hard work, and family responsibility.
And let the world know that you have ambition
-Well a we, well a we a yardy
-A weh we de?
-We de a New York City
-A weh se come yah fa?
-No to make some money
-We have to do that to feed we family
-Chucking badness does not make a man
Discouraging violence and promoting strategic confrontation as a last resort.
And we're not the only ones with guns
-Confront your enemies, outsmart them if you can
-But if all else fails, you better run
-Roughness makes man, as someone said
Reiterating the importance of individuality and standing up for oneself.
He is the rude boy of the day
-Takes a man to make a stand, sometimes get wild
-Be yourself, no matter what they say
-I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
Repeating the dual identity theme while underscoring the Jamaican presence in New York.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
-I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
-I'm a Jamaican in New York
-I'm an alien...
Continuation of the identity assertion, repeating the connection between being an alien and a Jamaican in New York.
I'm a Jamaican in New York
-I'm an alien...
-I'm a Jamaican ïn New York
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