Israelites

by Desmond Dekker

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$5 CAD or more

lyrics

Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelites, ah
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelite
My wife and my kids, they packed up and leave me
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelites
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor me Israelites
I said I get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelites
I said my wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelites
Look me shirts them a-tear up, trousers are gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor me Israelites
Poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites

credits

released April 29, 2024
Israelites (1980’s version)
Performed by Desmond Dekker
Engineered by Sid Bucknor
Co-Composed by Sid Bucknor and Desmond Dekker
Produced by Sid Bucknor

Backing Vocals – Desmond Dekker, George Dekker, Jackie Robinson (2)
Bass – Fred Reynolds
Drums – Piotr Swiderski*
Guitar – Nik Townend
Organ – Stevie B*
Percussion – Desmond Dekker, Lol Gellor
Saxophone – Roland Gift, Steve Pears
Soloist, Saxophone – Davey Payne

Originally produced
℗ & © 1980 Stiff Records
A Hot Wax Production
Re-released by Sid Buck Records
—---------
C & P 2024 Byron Bucknor
Copyright Control
Made in Toronto, Canada
All unauthorized reproductions
Public reproductions and other uses are strictly prohibited.

Executive Producer Byron Bucknor
Remastered and Re-released on Sid Buck Records Label and Third World Music
All rights reserved

license

about

Sid Bucknor Jamaica

Norman "Sid"Bucknor is a well known sound engineer, composer and producer of ska, rocksteady and reggae music. He started his career in Studio 1 in the 60's and since has been with every leading record label and studio of the time, such as Channel 1, Treasure Isle, Chalk Farm, Trojan and Virgin to name a few. His career spanned from Jamaica to the UK and he passed away in 2010. ... more