from May 2000 issue
of
street roots
Introdukshan
Me seh what a weh de policebwoy dem a gwan
inna disya Oregon,
disya Salem, Oregon
Seem seh ev'ryweh me tu'n appear Babylon
inna disya Oregon,
disya Salem, Oregon
Dem approach I fram mi lef'
an' dem come fram mi right
an' dem ax so much question is mus' book dem write!
Dem waan know mi name an' weh me come fram
weh Iman did born
an' weh me a galang
weh me got inna mi pocket dem
an' up under mi tam
an' when me eat mi brukfas' even weh me 'ave fe nyam!
Now Ah could a get vex
an' gaan pon de attack
but listen carefully 'ow me answer dem back
Me seh, "Mi name is Jack Tafari,
me nah come fe do no wrong
mi name mean Peace inna de Amharic tongue
an' when yuh look inna mi pocket nuh
yuh nah go find no gun
ca due to Jah protekshan now
me nah go walk wi' one
Now some claim seh me is a Englishman
an' some nex' one seh me is a 'merican man
but case yuh never know
me is a conscious man
an' Ah did born right yahso inna Creation
So run mi damn ID nuh, man,
den leggo mi han'
an' come out a mi life wi' yuh bagga question
Me seh run mi damn ID nuh
an' den leggo mi han'
an' come out a mi life wi' yuh bagga question"
Me seh what a weh dem policebwoy deh a gwan
inna disya Oregon,
disya Salem, Oregon