Roots Archives Forum

These are the lyrics posted all over the web. Every single site has the same lyrics but they seem way off:

All twinklin' lee
Can't see the right rose when the streams abate
The old slave men might grind slow
But it grinds fine, yeah

African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on
Greet-I-eth slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they had to part)
(... how quick they had to part)

The remembrance of today
Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow
(... how quick ...) Oh (... part), oh yeah

African herbsman, seize your time
I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind
I'm takin' losers down thru my life
Down thru my life, yeah (yes, how quick they had to part)
(... how quick they had to part)

Dideh part, yes, they part
In remembrance of today
(... how quick they had to part)

African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on
Greet-I-eth slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart, yes, how (... quick they have to part)
(... how quick they have to part)

In remembrance of today
Brings sad feelings of tomorrow
(Yes, how quick they have to ...) Lead me on, oh, Lord, I pray to you

(African herbsman) (African herbsman)
African, African herbsman ...

A few things bother me-
1. The first line. Huh? That can't be right can it? If so, what's the meaning?
2. The second line. Ditto
3. Isn't it "Old slave mill"?
4. I always thought Bob sang "Retired slave men will look...". Isn't that what he says?
5. "I'm taking losers down through my life". ??? Takers Losers - WTF?.

Any ideas?

African Herbsman based on the lyric of Richie Havens' Indian Rope Man
http://www.richiehavens.com/lyrics-irm.html

Johnny Spencers' superb quality reggae website adds this info
http://www.johnnyspencer.info/imagetext ... manBMW.htm

ites deh

i don't know who made dat translation but i don't hear dat
well what i can listen Bob singing in first lines is

Oh twinklin'lee (i tink it means glittering wind so yu need a shelter)
can't see the right roads when the streats are bend
The old slave men might grind slow
But it grinds fine, yeah...

dats my understanding of it...i'm not very good at Inglish hope it helps
i'm gonna listen to the song and write the lyrics to see if matchs

respect everytime
dreadrecords

OK, Ill have a stab at it....
________________________________

Oh twinkling we Can't see the right roads when the streets are bent*
The old slave mill might grind slow
But it grinds fine, yeah...

African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on
Retired slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they had to part)
(... how quick they had to part)

The remembrance of today
Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow
(... how quick ...) Oh (... part), oh yeah

African herbsman, seize your time
I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind
I'm takin' losers down thru my life
Down thru my life**, yeah (yes, how quick they had to part)
(... how quick they had to part)

Dideh part, yes, they part
In remembrance of today
(... how quick they had to part)

African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on
Retired slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart, yes, how (... quick they have to part)
(... how quick they have to part)

In remembrance of today
Brings sad feelings of tomorrow
(Yes, how quick they have to ...) Lead me on, oh, Lord, I pray to you

(African herbsman) (African herbsman)
African, African herbsman ...

------------------------------------
*possibly "BIG" rather than Bent, but I think I hear a "T" sound at end.

**I think the second time he (perhaps) sings "LINE" (which matches better the original Richie Havens song)

Harry got it right I'd say. Definitly "that old slave mill might grind slow but it grinds fine" I always loved that line. But I thought the first line was "... when the streets are big." I could very well be wrong though.

I've always thought the line was:

"Can't see the right roads when the streets are paved"

Could be wrong, but I thought it was an allusion to industrial progress hiding ancient wisdom, continued with the line about the old slave mill, although it grinds slow, it grinds fine - just takes time.

Interesting topic.
This is what I hear
(with thanks for Harry's transcription!)

Ol' twinkling wheel
Can't see the right roads when the streets are paved
The old slave mill might grind slow
But it grinds fine, yeah

African herbman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on
Retired slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart
Guess how quick they had to part

The rememberance of today
Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow
Guess how quick they had to part

African herbman, seize your time
I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind
I'm takin' losers down thru my life
Down thru my line, yeah
Guess how quick they had to part

Did they part? Yes they part
In rememberance of today
Guess how quick they had to part

African herbman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on
Retired slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart
Guess how quick they had to part

In rememberance of today
Bring sad feelings of tomorrow
Guess how quick they had to part
Lead me on*, oh Lord, I pray

African herbman, African herbman
African, African herbman


*possibly "Believe me oh"

They clearly sing "Herbman" without the 's'.

Peace,
DJ

I think he sings "That's how quick they have to part."

Also... does "I'm taking losers down through my life" make sense? English's not my first language, so very possible that I just don't get it.

"Paved" is interesting. I'm not hearing it like that though.

Don Julian wrote: Lead me on*, oh Lord, I pray

*possibly "Believe me oh"

But lead me on
Oh Lord I pray


That's where the "B" sound comes from. Otherwise I think you've got it all.

I like "PAVED".