Two Sevens Clash – English Lyrics

• By: Culture
• Album: Two Sevens Clash

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the mystical world of Culture's 'Two Sevens Clash,' a roots reggae anthem that sparked both fear and hope in Jamaica. Explore how this iconic song, inspired by Marcus Garvey's prophecy, not only defined a genre but also offers insights into Rastafarian beliefs, Jamaican history, and the power of music to shape society.

[English]

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say

"St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston is gonna read"

And I can see with mine own eyes

It's only a housing scheme that divide

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

...

Look up a cotton tree out by Ferry police station

How beautiful it used to be

And it has been destroyed by lightning

Earthquake and thunder, I say, what?

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash - it dread

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

I take a ride sometimes

On Penn Overland and Bronx

And sometimes I ride on bus X-82, say what?

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

Marcus Garvey was inside of Spanish Town district Prison

And when they were about to take him out

He prophesied and said

"As I have passed through this gate"

"No other prisoner shall enter and get through"

And so it is until now

The gate has been locked, say what?

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash, it dread

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash, it bitter, bitter, bitter

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash, a man a go feel it

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash, you better do right

Wat a liiv an bambaie

When the two sevens clash

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
clash /klæʃ/ B2	noun - a violent confrontation or collision verb - to come into conflict; to collide
prophet /ˈprɒfɪt/ B2	noun - a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God
prophesize /ˈprɒfəsaɪz/ C1	verb - say that (a specified thing) will happen in the future
divide /dɪˈvaɪd/ B1	verb - to separate into parts
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfʊl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically
destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ B1	verb - to put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it
lightning /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ B1	noun - a flash of bright light in the sky caused by an electrical discharge
earthquake /ˈɜːθkweɪk/ B1	noun - a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action
thunder /ˈθʌndər/ B1	noun - a loud crash of sound in the sky caused by electricity
prison /ˈprɪzən/ A2	noun - a building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed
prisoner /ˈprɪzənər/ B1	noun - a person captured and held as a hostage or taken as a prisoner of war
gate /ɡeɪt/ A1	noun - a hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or hedge
bitter /ˈbɪtər/ B1	adjective - having an unpleasantly sharp taste
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - morally good, justified, or acceptable
dread /drɛd/ B2	noun - great fear or apprehension verb - anticipate with great apprehension or fear

Key Grammar Structures

• Wat a liiv an bambaie

  ➔ Jamaican Patois/Creole: This phrase uses non-standard English grammar and vocabulary. It's a phonetic rendering of a creole expression, likely meaning "What a life and by and by" or something similar.

  ➔ This is a phrase from Jamaican Patois. Understanding it requires familiarity with the dialect. The "a" likely replaces "a" or "the", and "bambaie" could be a corruption of "by and by", expressing a sense of living in the present while considering the future. It's less about *correct* grammar and more about cultural context.

• My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say

  ➔ Verb Conjugation/Tense: "prophesize" is used as a present tense verb, even though Marcus Garvey is deceased, giving a timeless quality to his prophecy. The word 'say' at the end acts as an additional indicator that something important is to follow, not necessarily part of the verb conjugation.

  ➔ Using "prophesize" in the present tense emphasizes the continuing relevance and impact of Garvey's words. It's a stylistic choice that elevates the prophecy to a constant truth. "Say" is used to emphasize the quote that is about to be said.

• And I can see with mine own eyes

  ➔ Possessive Pronoun (Emphatic): "Mine own" is an archaic possessive pronoun construction used for emphasis. It's a more emphatic way of saying "my own".

  ➔ The use of "mine own" adds a layer of solemnity and personal conviction. It suggests a deeper, more profound witnessing than simply saying "my own eyes".

• It's only a housing scheme that divide

  ➔ Relative Clause & Subject-Verb Agreement (Simplified): "That divide" acts as a relative clause modifying "housing scheme." The verb "divide" is used in a simplified way, potentially lacking the expected "s" for subject-verb agreement in Standard English (it should be "divides"). This is common in Jamaican Patois.

  ➔ This line exemplifies the simplified grammar often found in Jamaican Patois. While Standard English would require "divides" due to the singular subject, the dialect often omits the "s" ending for third-person singular verbs. It highlights social commentary on division.

• How beautiful it used to be

  ➔ Past Habitual Action: "Used to be" expresses a past habit or state that is no longer true in the present. It indicates something was a certain way in the past but has changed.

  ➔ The phrase "used to be" conveys a sense of nostalgia and loss. It highlights the contrast between the cotton tree's former beauty and its current state of destruction.

• Earthquake and thunder, I say, what?

  ➔ Interjection: "What?" is used as an interjection, expressing surprise, disbelief, or seeking confirmation. The preceding phrase mentions natural disasters and this interjection marks a dramatic pause and emphasis.

  ➔ The interjection "what?" intensifies the sense of shock and disbelief following the description of the cotton tree's destruction. It engages the listener and invites reflection on the magnitude of the events.

• As I have passed through this gate

  ➔ Present Perfect Simple (Experience): "Have passed" is in the present perfect simple tense. Here, it indicates an action completed at some unspecified time in the past, with relevance to the present. In this context, it refers to the *experience* of passing through the gate, which has lasting consequences.

  ➔ The use of the present perfect emphasizes the lasting impact of Garvey's action. The gate remains locked because of his *experience* of passing through it, not simply the fact that he did so at one point in time.