Linton Kwesi Johnson Dub - my long day

LKJ Dub with some nice imagery; Political Dub Reggae.

From Brixton Prison, Jebb Avenue London S.W. 2 Inglan

Dear mama
good day
I hope that when these few lines reach you they may
find you in the best of health
I doun know how to tell ya dis
for I did mek a solemn promise
to tek care a lickle Jim
an try mi bes fi look out fi him

mama, I really did try mi bes
but none a di less
sorry fi tell ya seh, poor lickle Jim get arres
it was de miggle a di rush hour
hevrybody jus a hustle and a bustle
to go home fi dem evenin shower
mi an Jim stan up waitin pon a bus
not causin no fuss

when all of a sudden a police van pull up
out jump tree policemen
de whole a dem carryin baton
dem walk straight up to me and Jim
one a dem hold on to Jim
seh dem tekin him in
Jim tell him fi leggo a him
for him nah do nutt'n
and 'im nah t'ief, not even a but'n
Jim start to wriggle
de police start to giggle

mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to Jim?
mek I tell you wa dem do to 'im?

Dem thump him him in him belly and it turn to jelly
Dem lick 'im pon 'im back and 'im rib get pop
Dem thump him pon him head but it tough like lead
Dem kick 'im in 'im seed and it started to bleed

Mama, I jus couldn't stan up deh, nah do nuttin'

So mi jook one in him eye and him started fi cry
me thump him pon him mout and him started fi shout
me kick him pon him shin so him started fi spin
me hit him pon him chin an him drop pon a bin
- an crash, an dead

More policman come dung
dem beat me to the grung
dem charge Jim fi sus
dem charge mi fi murdah

mama, doan fret
doan get depress an downhearted
be of good courage
till I hear from you
I remain
Your son,
Sonny

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dub
• birds
• linton
• kwesi
• johnson
• lkj
• LKJ
• Iron
• Bar
• Dub
• reggae
• political
• roots
• sonny's
• lettah
• Long
• Day

[gangstadread]

y r ppl talkin bout weed as if its a novelty so much? cant man jus vibes an listen 2 da music n make some valid comment about the meaning of the words? "dem kick him in him seed n it started 2 bleed", dats more interestin dan a few short images of herb. peace

[willb50165016]

I agree, the idea of the video was so that I could put the tune on youtube and spread the song. I was trying to show the differences between my life "my long day", the ideal oneness of humanity (the birds) and the wrongs commited in the world. Referring back to the brixton riots and the segregation that still exists today across our entire planet... I'll post the lyrics from the original "Sonnys Lettah"...

p.s. I'm not attempting to do the song justice, it does that for itself.Peace

[eskimofinn]

Fuck me - that was good!!!

And you're 19 and not a film-maker right.

I've added this to my list to review on my website as a short film.

This country doesn't know how it tap its talent - shit!

[willb50165016]

Nice one mate, I think it is the music that really makes it.

You've inspired me to make another.

[willb50165016]

this was my first little experiment with audio and video. this is definately one of my favorite tunes thanks for watchin.

[steinber]

man! don't roll with tobacco! it's gotta be pure.

[willb50165016]

personal preference, i love a blunt, but it's all about being happy at the end of the day!!

[ricardo2323]

quality street! thanks to the uploader

[MrMaxicosmos]

good version ... respect the main idea is not wrong ...

[jlicha002]

This has been up for a few years now. I always come back to it when the mood strikes me.

[BUTTONFISH]

Roof tops sky & birds.. Definitely an SW2 View.. Well done son you're a genius!

[astralislux]

Evidence.

[DrBmovie]

@gangstadread " They kick him in his balls and it started 2 bleed " 

[usfins]

Nice , got anymore?

[Rowanjamescarreira]

I write all my poetry listening to this, this is my favorutie LKJ vid thanks alot dude :)

[1000RustyParts]

I remember a friend gave me a copy of this one day, he had written LKJ Island Anthology Vol. 1 in magic marker. He got busted and I never saw him again and always wondered what was on Vol. 2.

Thanks for uploading and the kind video.