I want to be free from all chains, from all shackles, all ropes.
Free from all jails and borders and doors.
Free to praise the Lord, for I shant praise the pope.
so just you be careful in what manner you apply to your face that babylonian soap.
I have lots of faith, Yes, I have lots of hope
life is rough and quite hard but with it we must cope
so secure your footing on the flat, do not slip down that slope
Silent rivers do run deep but this 'ganga-lee' must float
For I was born to be free
For I am an old 'ganga-lee' 'ganga-lee'
Yes I am an old 'ganga-lee ganga-lee'
Quite right I am an old ganga-lee gangster-lee'
Those with eyes, if they use them they will most certainly see.
I did not present myself here as a joke
I have nothing to laugh about
I am on a mission for which I have already completed a half
'Jah' is my rod and yes my staff
Stretch your affections for the cow to include the calf.
Increase your flailings of me I get harder not soft
Through your iniquity you practice witchcraft
I have been innoculated with the flu but see.... not even a cough
My countenance is as serious as 60 judges who have found nothing at which to laugh.
The above was an excerpt from a lunch hour concert at the Phillip Sherlock Theatre, put on by the UWI Dramatic Arts Society in 1995. A young, future bashment bass translated the original text (Ganga-lee by Louie Culture) and presented it in a monologue with props symbolising liberation. The audience was filled with Chancellorites. There was a standing ovation. Infer what you will.
1 comment:
as i read this i was wondering if my vague memory of ganga-lee when i used to sing it while doing the world dance included such eloquence. i was pleased to find that i was not in fact losing my mind, but at the same time surprised to realize that the song's verses contained such a clean message. props to Culture and the 'future bashment bass' who translated it. Save me a Smoker DVD.
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