Does anyone know the lyrics to "Words" by Sangie Davis/ Lee Perry?

January 30, 2007 11:33 AM

Reggae fans- Please help me figure out the complete lyrics to "Words" written by Sangie Davis and performed as a duet w/ Lee "Scratch" Perry and the Upsetters some time in the 70s. It appears on several compilations. I have looked everywhere for lyrics with no luck. I have tried to muddle through the recording- no use..... please help. It is the most beautiful, haunting song......
posted by mistsandrain to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

It's hard, but this is what I got so far with my not so good
English. It's still tough for me to work out weird accents
and there's a few rough spots, but:

A man can live for a hundred years or more
For hundred years and a score
Not only by the words of his mouth
But in the meditation of his heart
Not only by the words of his mouth
But the meditation of his heart

God has (something!)
So give him praises and we all shall live
Not only by the words of our mouth
but the meditation of our heart
Not only by the words of our mouth
but the meditation of our heart

(scats) Oh yeah yeah yeah letititit oh Lord . . .
Let it shine, let it shine!
As long as we don't catch the wrong
It is the right
Never never let it go
So let all nations help us give
Righteous presents to our god and king
Not only by the words of your mouth
but in the meditation of your heart
Not only by the words of your mouth
but the meditation of your heart

Now don't defy the word of your God!
(scats)
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 3:07 PM on January 30, 2007

You just made me listen to it about a dozen times again, but that's not a bad thing. Here's the best I can make of the lyrics, but I'm a little unsure of the first line in the bridge:

A man can live for a hundred years or more
For umpteen years and a score
Not only by the words of his mouth
But the meditation of his heart
Not only by the words of his mouth
But the meditation of his heart

God and king are needless [of] gifts
So give him praises and we all shall live
Not only by the words of our mouth
But the meditation of our hearts
Not only by the words of our mouth
But the meditation of our hearts

Let it accept them the Lord
Let it shine
Let it shine
Because them knows that the wrong
Can't beat the right
Never never let them fall

So let all nations help us sing
Righteous praises to our God and King
Not only by the words of your mouth
But the meditation of your hearts
Not only by the words of your mouth
But the meditation of your hearts
posted by krippledkonscious at 3:12 PM on January 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yours is better. I actually thought the line was "umpteen" too, but then I thought that sounded weird - I had only recently learned the term and it didn't seem as poetic, but I've only head it as slang. I'm still not positive that's it, but it's noteworthy that you came up with it independently of me.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 6:04 PM on January 30, 2007

I never expected to hear "umpteen" either, and I don't think I've heard that word used in any other reggae song (let alone in regular conversations). But after listening to a different (clearer than what I have) version of the song here, it sure sounds like "umpteen..."

Funny how we must have been listening, rewinding, and transcribing at the same time before we posted our versions within minutes of each other. Based on the similarities, we probably can't be that far off.
posted by krippledkonscious at 6:24 PM on January 30, 2007

That new version clears it up a lot, I hadn't heard it before. It's obviously "umpteen" in that!
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 6:30 PM on January 30, 2007

Response by poster: thanks- really appreciate it!
posted by mistsandrain at 7:17 PM on January 30, 2007