Gregory Isaacs: Slave Master

Song: Slave Master

Written and Performed By: Gregory Isaacs

Appears on: Rockers Soundtrack

Theodoros Bafaloukos’ 1978 film “Rockers” is a genial, lighthearted Robin Hood tale about a reggae singer in Jamaica trying to make a few bucks in the music business, both by delivering records on his motorcycle and by playing in a band for a resort owner who sees his house band as nothing more than a bunch of ne’er-do-wells. As in its predecessor “The Harder They Come”, the hero (Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace) finds that The System will do everything it can to keep him down. The two films were often shown as a double feature in the United States (my brother and I saw them in Austin).

One thing the films have in common is an outstanding soundtrack, with reggae music playing through virtually the entire movie. In “Rockers”, many reggae musicians play themselves – “Horsemouth”, Jacob Miller, Kiddus-I, Big Youth, and Gregory Isaacs, amongst others. Isaacs’ live performance of the song “Slave Master” is one of the musical highlights of the film (you can also see him cracking a safe in one scene).

Isaacs has a long, storied history in reggae and is one of the best-known singers to come out of Jamaica. He started in the late 60s and in the 70s and 80s established himself as a master of the “Lover’s Rock” style of reggae. Listen to classic albums like “Night Nurse”, “Private Beach Party”, and “Red Rose For Gregory” and you’ll know why he’s known as The Cool Ruler.

But Isaacs is no one trick pony. He can sing a sufferers’ song as well as anyone and “Slave Master” is one of his finest. It’s been said that Isaacs has released upwards of 500 albums throughout the world and “Slave Master” appears on no fewer than 35 of those, according to allmusic.com. In it, Isaacs sings of the protagonist’s increasing frustration with the slave master, a man who does little but discipline his laborers when they try to have little fun – “Every time I hear the music and I make a dip … slave master comes around and spank I with his whip”.

A casual listen might garner a “that’s nice” response, but if you really listen to it, this is an angry song. The slave has had just about enough and is very close to his breaking point:
“If I don’t get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations on fire
My temperature is getting much higher”

The singer also adds this subtle warning (it’s my favorite line in the song) “slave master, I’m the shepherd of my pasture” -- push me too far and not only will I rebel, but I will lead my fellow slaves in revolt, too.

In the film, Isaacs adds a coda that is not on the soundtrack (it’s a studio version on the soundtrack) – “if the chalice comes around my brow, I’ll surely take a sip, Jah Jah know I’m true with it, please get up with it, Jah Jah know I’m true with it.”

The chalice is a rastaman’s ganja pipe and Isaacs is willing to – and based on his smile as he sings, would like to – take a “sip” from the pipe.

Slave Master Lyrics

No competition, I make you my decision, yeah

Every time I hear the music and I make a dip, a dip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, the whip
But if I don’t get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations on fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require

‘Cause every time we do the work sometimes we are hurt, oh yeah
Boss never do a thing but hold on to his girth
But if I don’t get my desire
Then I'll set the plantations on fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require

Every time I hear the music and I move my hip, my hip
Slave master comes around and spank I with his whip, a whip
Slave master, I’m the shepherd of my pasture
I say you work me to scorn so long me make me gwaan
‘cause I’m accustomed to your whip

But if I don’t get my desire
Then I'll set the stations on fire
My temperature is getting much higher
Got to get what I require