Slavery Days - Burning Spear - Remembering What Was Before Juneteenth

A Brief Intro

I have always been a fan since I first heard Burning Spear when I bought “Man In The Hills” just for its striking cover from NEMS in Rumbelows in Liverpool. I certainly wasn't disappointed with it.

On the 4th of June, I published my Juneteenth story about my finding out about the meaning of the word., the celebration of the day of Slavery Emancipation and you can read about it below.

Although Slavery was abolished, segregation continued and to this day racism is still condoned and tolerated with such flimsy excuses as “freedom of speech and opinion”

But to the point of this post,

Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear.

This is a biggish chunk for Amazon and the second song on the album “Slavery Days” is the reason that I am putting this piece together. I thought what a perfect song to remember Juneteenth any year,

I am hoping to take the lyrics of the song and then maybe share historical events that it either refers to or that I see as appropriate.

In 1975, on a rising tide of militant political consciousness and the ascendancy of Rastafari, Winston Rodney--the Burning Spear--transcended cult status to achieve international fame via Marcus Garvey.

“The album pays tribute to the messianic black leader and still sounds like nothing you've ever heard. Produced by sound-man Jack Ruby, the horn-driven, muscular music (give thanks for the rhythm section of Robbie Shakespeare, "Family Man" Barrett and "Horsemouth" Wallace) underpins Spear's heaven-bound voice and the harmonies of Rupert Willington and Delroy Hines.

"Do you remember the days of slavery?"

"Give me what is mine", wails the Spear, and it is his voice, which swells with pain and release that has guaranteed Marcus Garvey classic status.”

--Paul Bradshaw

Slavery Days by Burning Spear (Marked Text is the song Lyrics)

Do you remember the days of slavery? X 9

And they beat us

This still happens today, a person of colour seems to be a legitimate target for any policeman or thug who is usually white and entitled and looking for someone to bully.

The British Government deported citizens who came on the Windrush to rebuild Britain after the war after ripping up their documentation.Now they are looking to deport people of colour to Rwanda which as a terrible human rights record, just based on the colour of their skin.

Do you remember the days of slavery?

And the work was so hard

Do you remember the days of slavery?

And they used us

People of colour are often discriminated against for jobs, housing, promotions and many other things. The culture of slavery is still trying to be enforced either by conscious or unconscious bias. It has not gone away.

Do you remember the days of slavery?

'Til they refuse us

Discrimination because of skin colour is still very alive in Western “culture”

Do you remember the days of slavery?

The big fat boat

(Mhm) We usually pull it, we pull it

(Mhm) We must pull it

(Mhm) With shackles around our necks

(Mhm) Believe me and we sit so close

Do you remember the days of slavery?

People of colour are often treated little better than farmyard working animals by the white old-aged patriarchy.

Do you remember the days of slavery?

My brother feels it

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Including my sisters too

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Some of us survive

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Showing them that we are still alive

Do you remember the days of slavery?

It is wonderful that people of colour have stood firm and demanded and taken their rights in the face of terrible violence and pressure from the ones who want to keep them as a slave underclass.

Slavery may have been abolished but it has given birth to disgusting racist attitudes in many white people. There can be no defence of this.

The song fades out and slavery day may be taken as Juneteenth

Do you remember the days of slavery?

History can recall, history can recall

Do you remember the days of slavery?

History can recall the days of slavery

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Oh slavery day

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Try and remember, please remember

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Do you, do you, do you?

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Oh, slavery day

Do you remember the days of slavery?

Try and remember, please remember

Slavery Days and Juneteenth A Conclusion

Racism has grown over six or seven centuries and it may take that long again to purge it from our society. Call out any racism and support those who celebrate Juneteenth because they have seen Slavery conquered a little.