Text: Linton Kwesi Johnson. Reggae Sounds.

Shock, black double down-beat bouncin'
Rock-wize tumble down sound music
Foot drop, find drum blood story
Bass history is a-movin' is a-hurtin' black story

Thunder from a bass drum soundin'
Lightnin' from a trumpet and a organ
Bass and rhythm and trumpet double up
Keep up with drums for a deep pound searchin'

Ridim of a tropical, electrical storm
Cool down to de base of struggle
Flame ridim of historical yearnin', flame ridim of de time of turnin'
Measurin' de time for bombs and for burnin'

Slow drop, make stop, move forward
Dig down to de root of de pain
Shape it into violence for de people
They will know what to do, they will do it

Shock, black double down-beat bouncin'
Rock-wize tumble down sound music
Foot drop, find drum blood story
Bass history is a-movin' is a-hurtin' black story

Ridim of a tropical, electrical storm
Cool down to de base of struggle
Flame ridim of historical yearnin', flame ridim of de time of turnin'
Measurin' de time for bombs and for burnin'

Slow drop, make stop, move forward
Dig down to de root of de pain
Shape it into violence for de people
They will know what to do, they will do it

Shock, black double down-beat bouncin'
Rock-wize tumble down sound music
Foot drop, find drum blood story
Bass history is a-movin' is a-hurtin' black story