It Noh Funny and I agree

Howdeedoo. Dis is Algernon now. Yesterday I meet up with Elijah and I try to reason wid him. I tell ‘im how I understand what it is like for him as a young man growing up today, that I know what its like to be young man inna Ingland. But he tell me that I could never know what it like to be young now cuz it so violent on the street wid post code war and other madness.

But I can tell him some story an’ story when I was a yout’ and we had to fight off the racist teddy boys. Yes I have some story for him. But that is for later…

Remember I tell you about It It Noh Funny by LKJ? Well, wid a likkle help from Elijah he help me find this on the hinternet. I fin’ the words for Linton Kwesi poem and a link where you can find out more about him. Seems he knows alotta tings about poetry and politics. Yes, he seem like a man wid nuff wisdom. Mm hmm.

So I put them both, de words and de music for your henjoyment and maybe a likkle heducation. Click on the triangle below to hear Linton read his poem “It Noh Funny”.

IT NOH FUNNY

people sayin´ dis
people sayin´ dat
`bout di yout´ of today
how dem carryin´ on away
an´ it noh funny
it noh funny

dem wi` tek chance
fi get a likkle kile (coil: money)
dem wi` tek chance
fi live-it-up a while
dem wi` tek chance
fi live-it-up in style
dem wi` tek chance
fi goh jump an´ prance
dem wi` tek chance
an dem love blues dance
dem wi` tek chance
an´ dem don´t count di caas (cost)

people sayin´ dis
people sayin´ dat
`bout di yout´ of today
how dem causin´ affray
an´ it noh funny
it noh funny

dem wi` tek chance
an´ dem love cuss raas
dem wi` tek chance
dem wi´skip dem class
dem wi` tek chance
fi goh pap a likkle style (to pop style: wear fashionable clothes)
dem wi` tek chance
dem dhu it all di while
dem wi` tek chance
but some a dem laas (lost)
dem wi` tek chance
an´dem don´t count di caas

people sayin´ dis
people sayin´ dat
`bout di yout´ of today
´bout di way dem stay
an´ it noh funny
it noh funny

dem wi` tek chance
fi get a likkle kally (cully weed: marijuana)
dem wi` tek chance
wid y´u likkle sistah Sally
dem wi` tek chance
far dem feel dem force
dem wi` tek chance
but dem gat no course
dem wi` tek chance
but dem is nat advanced
dem wi` tek chance
an´ dem don´t count di caas

people sayin´ dis
people sayin´ dat
`bout di yout´ of today
how dem really stay
an´ it noh funny
it noh funny

Now listen to the dubwise version from the album “Forces of Victory”.
Its wid the Dennis Bovell Reggae Band.
I did skank two foot when I heard dis! Heh heh hehey!

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