007 – English Lyrics

• By: Desmond Dekker & the Aces

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Jamaican rocksteady and reggae with Desmond Dekker & the Aces' iconic hit, "007 (Shanty Town)." This groundbreaking 1967 track offers a compelling lyrical narrative about social unrest and the 'rude boy' culture in Kingston, Jamaica, making it an excellent song to explore the nuances of Jamaican Patois and the historical context of its music. Its catchy rhythm and powerful storytelling make it a timeless piece that invites listeners to understand the cultural heartbeat of the island. Through this song, you can learn about the challenges and resilience reflected in Jamaican vernacular and appreciate its profound impact on global music.

[English]

0-0-7

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At ocean eleven

And now rudeboys have a go wail

'Cause them out of jail

Rudeboys cannot fail

'Cause them must get bail

Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail

A Shanty Town

Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail

A Shanty Town

Dem rudeboys get a probation

A Shanty Town

And rudeboy bomb up the town

A Shanty Town

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At ocean eleven

And the rudeboys a go wail

'Cause them out of jail

Rudeboys cannot fail

'Cause them must get bail

Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail

A Shanty Town

Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail

A Shanty Town

Dem rudeboys get a probation

A Shanty Town

And rudeboy bomb up the town

A Shanty Town

Police get taller

A Shanty Town

Soldier get longer

A Shanty Town

Rudeboy a weep and a wail

A Shanty Town

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ocean /ˈoʊʃən/ A1	noun - a very large expanse of sea
rudeboy /ˈruːdˌbɔɪ/ Unknown	noun - a Jamaican slang term for a rebellious young man
jail /dʒeɪl/ A2	noun - a place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime
bail /beɪl/ B2	noun - the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial
loot /luːt/ B2	verb - to steal goods, typically during a war or riot noun - stolen goods
shoot /ʃuːt/ A2	verb - to fire a weapon
wail /weɪl/ B2	verb - to cry with pain, grief, or anger
shanty /ˈʃænti/ Unknown	noun - a roughly built hut or cabin
town /taʊn/ A1	noun - an urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government
probation /proʊˈbeɪʃən/ C1	noun - the release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision
bomb /bɒm/ B1	verb - to attack with bombs
police /pəˈliːs/ A2	noun - a civil force, maintained by a state or community
taller /ˈtɔːlər/ A1	adjective - comparative of tall
soldier /ˈsoʊldʒər/ A2	noun - a person serving in an army
longer /ˈlɔːŋɡər/ A1	adjective - comparative of long
weep /wiːp/ B2	verb - to shed tears

Key Grammar Structures

• And now rudeboys have a go wail

  ➔ Use of "have a go"

  ➔ "Have a go" is an informal idiom meaning to attempt or try something. It suggests an attempt, often in a playful or experimental way. In this context, it suggests the rudeboys are going to 'try' a wail, possibly indicating participating in some form of riot or disturbance.

• 'Cause them out of jail

  ➔ Non-standard English: Omission of "are"

  ➔ The grammatically correct version is "Because they *are* out of jail." The omission of "are" is a feature of some dialects or creoles.

• Rudeboys cannot fail

  ➔ Modal verb "cannot" (negative ability/possibility)

  ➔ "Cannot" expresses a strong negative possibility or ability. Here, it suggests that the rudeboys are determined and will not be defeated or unsuccessful.

• Dem a loot, dem a shoot, dem a wail

  ➔ Non-standard English: Use of "a" before verbs to indicate continuous action.

  ➔ In standard English, this would be "They are looting, they are shooting, they are wailing." The use of "a" before the verbs is characteristic of certain dialects and creoles and creates a continuous and active image.

• Police get taller

  ➔ Simple Present: Lack of Subject-Verb Agreement (Police)

  ➔ "Police" is a plural noun, so the verb should be "get". The sentence should be "Police get taller." This lack of agreement can be common in colloquial speech or certain dialects.