Roots Archives Forum

At this time there is no internet lyrics for this iconic song. Can anyone contribute?
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Ew, psyche and trim you gonna get a spankin'
A false balance is abomination to Jah Jah
But a just weight is His delight, yeah
A false witness shall not go by unpunished
For he that speaketh lies, shall perish yeah

Psyche and Trim claims them a top rankin'
But sooner or later them gonna get a spankin', from Jah Jah
For when come pride then cometh shame
So tell me now who you gonna blame

You deny the King
Psyche and Trim
So you shall be cut off from your limb, yeah
You curse the root
You deny the truth
You curse the root
So you shall never inherit Jah fruit, oh no

People out there might be wondering what I'm talking about
I will give you a piece out of my heavy load, yeah
Psyche and Trim two branches of the limb
One is fat and the other is slim

Like Abbott and Costella
Like two greedy fellas
They never satisfie'
Them always a cry, yeah

They deny Jah Jah
They curse the root
So they shall never, never, never inherit Jah fruit
Oh no

Mr top ranking
Said you gonna get a spanking
Mr top ranking, Mr top ranking
You gonna get a spanking, today

False witness shall not go by unpunished
And he that speaketh lies shall perish, perish

A false balance
Is abomination to Jah Jah
But a just weight
A just weight is His delight, yeah
When cometh pride then cometh shame
So tell me now who you gonna blame, yeah
Trouble they abroad
No bring it come a yard
You got to face the card
Because the table turn, oh yay

Psyche and Trim
Claims them a top rankin'...

...A just weight is his delight (biblical lyric)

...So when cometh pride, then cometh shame (biblical lyric)

...I will give you a piece out of my heavy load

...Trouble they abroad, no bring it come a yard, you got to face the card, because the table turn

Also, I've always been curious as to who or what Psyche and trim are/refers to. Anyone know?

DWick, thank you for the corrections!

I have never really known what this was about either. besides the obvious about pride and lying, there's not much to go on.

Psyche is pretty much the human mind (or ego) by modern definitions, it also used to be a name for the "soul", or personality.

Trim is basically cutting away. In the past I've thought this to mean as "trimmings", or accompaniments to the psyche. Looking up the word now, I see some of the more obscure definitions are "to pursue a neutral or cautious policy between parties." and "to accommodate one's views to the prevailing opinion for reasons of expediency."

By the above definitions Trim could mean taking a loose stance on things, or being feeble. While I think Psyche is the opposite which is being strong headed, or prideful. So basically I think the message is moderation. (one is fat, one is slim)

Sounds like a plausible explanation. Maybe it has some JA political meaning. Great song.

probably my favorite Lee Perry track

"Like abbott and costello" I think it goes.

Billy Boom, you are absolutely correct. Much thanks. I will spell it "Castella" here to be consistent with the rhyme.

Thank you! You've done a great job of uncovering these lyrics. A very powerful and emotive tune and challenging to understand.