Up Against the Wall Riddim
Raggaman's Anthem: Defying Babylon Against the Wall
Lyrics
I grab my jacket and a packet and I head out the door
I prepare myself and leave, carrying a packet, excited to explore.
The sun it is ah-shining and I want to explore
The sun is shining, motivating me to go out and discover new things.
So I take a little trip to an out of town club
I visit an out-of-town club for a change of scenery.
Bill up a little spliff and then we rock into the dub
I roll a small joint and enjoy the music in a dub style.
Boom Boom! goes the bass, Pap Pap goes the drum
The bass and drums create a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by vocal instructions.
The vocal come around like an instruction
The vocal delivery is likened to guidance or instructions.
No man can resist the primitive call
No one can resist the primal call of the music.
Babylon ah never put our backs against the wall
Babylon (authority) will not force us into a difficult situation.
Up against the wall, up against the wall
We resist external pressures and challenges.
Ah Babylon they wanna see ah man ah fall!
Babylon wants to witness our failure, but we defy their expectations.
Up against the wall, up against the wall
We face challenges, but Babylon remains ignorant of our strength.
What Babylon don’t know they make we masses stand tall
We, the masses, rise despite Babylon's lack of understanding.
Out where the Raggaman go, is where the sun shine and wind blow
Raggaman goes where there's sunshine and wind, enjoying the positive vibes.
And when he look down low, he sees the Ragga crowd checking his flow
The Ragga crowd appreciates his musical flow from below.
Well we get pure idiots round that wanna test our sound
Individuals test the sound, pretending to be dominant but are likely to fail.
Go on like they’re the don, but are bound to mess around
Those who act arrogantly are bound to face consequences.
So when the fire come rain down
When challenges arise, I leave the soundboys (competitors) defeated.
I leave them (all of the soundboy) drowned
The music from Jamaica, representing love, helps me overcome difficulties.
Cos the music from Jamaica all the love that I have found so how now?
Despite challenges, The Skints express their message profoundly.
The Skints we ah go tell it so profound
They view sound clashes as opportunities to showcase their skills.
You call it a soundclash I call it burial ground
A soundclash is likened to a burial ground for competitors.
And summa them want to drag man down
Some try to bring others down, but walking confidently defies negativity.
But if you mana just walk around
If you confidently move forward, you can overcome obstacles.
I just draw for the microphone, and I lyrically stub man out like
They respond to challenges with the microphone, lyrically defeating opponents.
Zoobadeh! Zoobadeh! Ziggidiggidiggidiggi Doobadeh!
Repetitive vocal sounds, possibly emphasizing a powerful moment.
Zoobadeh! Zoobadeh! Ziggidiggidiggidiggi Doobadeh!
-And yes I may like reggae but I know where I’m from
Despite liking reggae, they acknowledge their roots in East London, not Jamaica.
My team was Babylon born inna east London
The Skints originated in Babylon (East London).
Out where the Raggaman go, is where the sun shine and wind blow
Reiteration of the positive vibes where Raggaman goes.
And when he look down low, he sees the Ragga crowd checking his flow
-Raggaman say go! Hoping that life fi hand out
Raggaman hopes for a life filled with good times and shows.
Good times and good shows
Despite challenges like heavy rain and thick snow, they persevere.
And I and I made it through heavy rain and thick snow
Empty line.
So where is it you go?
Where do you go when troubles are temporarily forgotten with music?
With rub-a-dub-a-dub and all our troubles are on hold?
The Raggaman emphasizes the joy found in music despite troubles.
He tell me ten times
He repeats advice ten times, possibly stressing its importance.
What a society! We don’t like negativity
Reflecting on society, they reject negativity.
You want fi stand up tall! Don’t fall!
Encouragement to stand tall despite challenges.
Even if you’re up against the wall!
Even when facing adversity, don't succumb.
Out where the Raggaman go, is where the sun shine and wind blow
Reiteration of positive vibes where Raggaman goes.
And when he look down low, he sees the Ragga crowd checking his flow
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