In a gunman life He might not come home from work one night So every minute matter Ignores advice From his weeping baby mother and child That he won't win every game he plays So she know he'll meet his end one day Some juvenile will have to earn his stripe And have to take another gunman's life What if a backstabber names his price And how ironic if him dead from knife The 'mount of bullet weh him put 'pon boy Job description: kill and destroy
[Refrain: Damian Marley] Now tell me is it worth it all? If one don rise then a next one fall Tell me is it worth it all? Those sleepless nights on patrol roll call Tell me is it worth it all? One child smile while a next one bawl Tell me is it worth it? Is it worth it? Is it worth it all?
[Verse 3: Damian Marley] And when a gunman makes choice I wonder what goes through a gunman's mind And does a gunman think twice? Before him takes another someone's life? I wonder what it is a gunman say To the Father when a gunman pray Does he kiss his kids to bed at night? Making sure the blanket tucked just right? Nothing no scary like a gunman voice When people beg a gunman think twice And him say no
The Rootsman Riddim was originally published in February 2013, and included several high profile artists and songs, such as Jesse Royal’s “Modern Day Judas”, Chronixx’s “Here comes trouble”, and Iba MAHR’s “Great is H.I.M.”, among others. This song was a very late addition to the riddim, released in January 2014, This powerful social commentary marks a return to Damian Marley’s iconic style, after many experimental projects over the last couple years.
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