Hi folks, I hope you are doing ok? This week we are meeting in the Sea View Lounge at the Crescent Club, meeting at 7.30. I hope you can join us.
This week I want to think about a song that is dear to my heart for many reasons. Check out the link… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZfNqEYGePo
The song is ‘Downpressor Man’ by Ben Okafor…. Although originally this is an African American Spiritual song ‘Sinner Man’, and has taken various forms over the years, it was made popular by Nina Simone, the ten minute recording is something else! Peter Tosh of Bob Marley and the Wailers fame put this version together that Ben covers again.
When Peter Tosh first recorded the song for his 1977 album Equal Rights, the title changed to “Downpressor Man,” directing the moral of the song – taken from the Book of Exodus – toward the social inequality that persisted in Jamaica after its independence from Great Britain in 1962. Now obviously this version has Rasta overtones, although when I first heard this song it was sung by Ben I didn’t know about its earlier roots. Ben Okafor has a strong faith, coming from Nigeria, was a victim of the civil war and at the age of 13, fought as a boy soldier. Those experiences would later influence his music, he has a strong sense of justice, truth and love.
So why this song and why Ben? I first came across him at a festival similar to Greenbelt in 1988, he played and performed this song and it resonated with me… not just the lyrics of injustice, but of course the reggae vibe that I have come to love. His performance captivated me in a way very few artists do. I hadn’t heard for a number of years, until he performed last year at Greenbelt, once again his performance was emotional and I found myself crying like a baby!
One of the key shifts in the original recording, compared to Peter Tosh and Ben Okafor’s version, is that the perspective shifts from first – to third person. In earlier recordings the song was an introspective look at sin, speaking about personal sins and relating them to their consequences using phrases like “I ran to the rock” and “I ran to the sea.” The connection to oppression as sin is implied; the urgency of Nina’s performance communicates it.
In Peter and Bens versions the statement is more direct (the term “downpressor” itself comes from a Rastafarian reworking of “oppressor”); “YOU can run to the rock,” and “YOU can run to the sea.” By changing the perspective of the narrator in the song, the message shifts from the personal to the communal; instead of personal sin, these sins are societal, and outside the self.
The song describes Judgment, complete with wrath raining from heaven — “the sea will be boiling … the rocks will be melting.” This divine wrath will leave the “downpresser man” with nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide.
The oppressor will be overthrown, the powers that be will be cast down and the end of the age will bring, at last, liberation… This song resonates for me my favourite biblical text Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Some questions
What cover song do you prefer rather than the original?
What other songs, movies, art, bible passages does this song remind you of?
What aspects of your life experience have affected how you see things today?
How could changing the perspective of words and phrases help us see things differently?
What struck you about the song?
What kind of God do you see-through this song?
What do you think this song is inviting us to do/be?
Peace Rob
Some of the info about this song comes from Margaret Jones, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter. Ben’s own website and other sources.
Included here are links to the various versions and to the lyrics
Nina Simone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LoYdvyoi9U
Peter Tosh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3F2QOXYlk
Ben Okafor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZfNqEYGePo
If you want to support these artists check them out on spotify or other platforms.
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.