Roots Archives Forum

Jonti wrote:This has proved to be a fascinating thread. Thanks, all, for your input. I'm now determined to find me a copy of Unity Is Power.

Happy hunting!

Think Juha from Finland or Penny Reel told it was a cover, not sure from who it was originally.

"There's A Reward" is definitely written by Joe Higgs. You can see the Grounation label with his songwriting credit here - **["Life Of Contradiction"](http://www.strictly-vibes.com/joe-higgs ... =joe+higgs)**

that could be right 6anbatta (thats also a great Joe Higgs LP BTW), but of course in the wonderful world called reggaemusic credits on labels don't mean a thing.

Reminds me of the time I went to Nine Miles in Jamaica where Bob lies.There was a football there and our 'tourguide'told us that "Bob used to play with it".
That was a miracle as it had a " World Championchips 1986" text !!!

But I do hope "There's a reward" is indeed by Joe.I don't know!

reggaepostman wrote:that could be right 6anbatte (thats also a great Joe Higgs LP BTW), but of course in the wonderful world called reggae music credits on labels don't mean a thing.

I know what you mean, but I just cannot believe that Joe would claim something that wasn't his. I'll be incredibly upset if I am wrong.
Totally agree. Excellent album.

LOL. Excellent Bob story!

"There's A Reward" is Joe's composition although he "borrows" a few lyrics from a Jerry Butler tune..... "sometimes I look at the world with a smile".... that comes from a Jerry Butler tune and there maybe a couple other lines he "borrowed" but can't remember now for sure!

Jerry Butler? Really? Are you sure? I must 'fess up I only have the "Ice Man" album and, brilliant singer that he is, I don't know him to be a songwriter. Definitely looking into this. Thanks for the heads-up.

Yeah, if you give me some time to listen again, I'll tell you exactly what Jerry Butler song title it is. It may not be his composition as Curtis Mayfield wrote and produced alot of early sides for Jerry. I'll pull out my Jerry Butler and figure out the song title though!

Here we go;

**Need To Belong** by Jerry Butler

Wo oh oh oh (need to belong) yeah, (to someone)
m hm hm hm (need to belong)hm hm hm hm hm (to someone)

I need to belong to someone
it hurts to be known as no one
Will ever some sweet girl
bring love into my world, cause
I need to belong to someone (m hm hm hm hm hm hm)

I wanna be kissed and held tight
want to be missed on a cold lonely night
somebody hear my plea and call out to me, cause
I need to belong to someone

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
no one cares for me, I've never known sympathy
I hide my needs from the world with a smile
but understand, I'm only a man and a man
(needs to belong) yes he does (to someone)
A man hates to be known as no one
will ever some sweet girl, bring love into my world, because
I need to belong to someone

Oh, I hide my needs, from the world with a smile
but understand, I'm only a man, and a man needs (needs to belong)
to belong, (to someone) to someone
a man hates to be known, as no one
Oh send me a girl, to bring love into my world, cause
I need to belong to someone (need to belong) mm (to someone)

mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
(need to belong to someone)
Well I wanna belong (need to belong) to somebody (to someone)
just like you (fade) (need to belong)
someone I can tell (to someone)
my troubles to

**There's A Reward** by Joe Higgs

Everyday my heart is sore
Seeing that I'm so poor
But I shall not give up so easy
There's a reward for me, there's a reward for me
Though I'm bordered down with shame
There's no one for me to blame
But I shall not give up so easy
There's a reward for me, there's a reward for me
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
You know no one cares for me
I've never known sympathy
Sometimes I look to this world with a smile
Man you hear what I say...

Incidentally, **["Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherlerless Child"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherless_Child)** is "...a traditional Negro spiritual".

I do have that Jerry Butler track so will dig it out and give it a spin tonight.

Looks like The Impressions/Jerry Butler song came out in '63 and the Higgs & Wilson cut of "There's A Reward" came out in 1964, so I would say it's pretty likely he borrowed that verse. The Impressions were a favorite group to cover and borrow lyrics from, so it doesn't surprise me in the least.

It reminds me of Bunny Wailers' "Dreamland" for which he still gets songwriting credit, even though the original song "My Dream Island" by the El Tempos has become pretty well known.