Roots Archives Forum

hi all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yeLNA0xkkI

been trying to get an interpretation of this song down. my friend seems to think it's about women police officers? i'm really not sure. this is what i got -

Yes bredren yu nuh see wha gwan
Yes bredren yu nuh know wha gwan
Woman a follow man - yes jah
Woman a gwan wi (rounds?) - yes jah

Dem a cut dem hair, gwan just like a man
Dem a wear man pants(?), gwan just like a man
Woman a gwan wi (rounds?) - yes jah
Woman a babylon - yes jah

Walk wi gun dem a walk wi gun
Dem a tear down place, dem seh dat is a man (?)
Woman a gwan wi (rounds?) - yes jah
Woman a babylon - yes jah

Everywhere I go dem inna barber shop
Everywhere I go dem inna (???) shop
Woman a gwan wi (rounds?) - yes jah
Woman a babylon - yes jah

Driving bus, gwan just like a man
Dem a driving (king trucks?) dem
Woman a gwan wi (rounds?) - yes jah
Woman a babylon - yes jah

incidentally the version on youtube seems a little slower than the version i have on Wiser Dread compilation.

he sings Woman a gwaan with ranks, and inna taylor shop

he is saying that woman are behaving like men(wearing pants, going to the barbershop, driving trucks etc.), and even behave like bad men (hang around with gangsters(ranks),walking with guns) and he doesn't like that..

so it's an anti feminism rant

Ah I always thought he was singing "Woman a gwan with wrongs" !! "...gwan wid ranks" seems to make sense though...