A while ago- probably not a very long while- I started an entry in this space with a thought about art hitting but not hurting. A while later, not very long ago at all, just now in fact- I suddenly recalled the inspiration for the thought:


One good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no pain)
Oh, oh, I say, one good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no pain)
Hit me with music, hit me with music now

This is (Trenchtown rock), don't watch that
(Trenchtown rock), big fish or sprat now
(Trenchtown rock) You reap what you sow
(Trenchtown rock), and only Jah, Jah know
(Trenchtown rock) I'd never turn my back
(Trenchtown rock), I'd give the slum a try
(Trenchtown rock) I'd never let the children cry
(Trenchtown rock), 'cause you got to tell Jah, Jah why

(Groovin') It's Kingston 12
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
(Groovin') It's Kingston 12 now
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
No want you come galang so, oh no
(... no want you fe galang so), ska-ba-dip-ska-ba
(You want come cold I up ...) Ska-ba-dibby-dip,
ska-ba-doop, ska-ba-doop (... cold I up)
Oh, oh, I'm groovin', and the world knows by now,
now, now, now, now, now, now, now, y'all

Oh now, I said, you feel no pain now
One good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no ...) feel no pain
Hit me with music now, oh now, hit me with music now
Hit me with music, harder, brutalize me (... music)

This is (Trenchtown rock), I say, don't watch that
(Trenchtown rock), if you a big fish or sprat
(Trenchtown rock) You reap what you sow
(Trenchtown rock), and everyone know now
(Trenchtown rock) Don't turn your back
(Trenchtown rock), I say, give the slum a try
(Trenchtown rock) Never let the children cry
(Trenchtown rock), or you got to tell Jah, Jah why

(Groovin') It's Kingston 12
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
(Groovin') I said, it's Kingston 12 now
(groovin'), oh, oh, oh, it's Kingston 12
(No want you fe galang so) Didn't I told you that
(no want you fe galang so) we should leave with love?
(You want come cold I up ...) I'm not gonna do that, man,
nothin' (... come cold I ...), and look deh now
(Groovin') And then it's Kingston
12, uh

(Good God ...) Good God, looky here now, uh
Hit me with music ...

Actually, until I tracked down the Bob Marley video, I had only heard the Almost Acoustic Band's version of the song... which you can find here. To date, I've both avoided using and continued to dishonor (in my links on the sidebar) the Internet Archive website for being clumsy and plagued by speed problems- it's better now, though still balky in some functions, and the new streaming player works well and since it always had good bones, by which I mean it was a pleasant and navigable site, I think I can restore my whole-hearted recommendation. There was nothing wrong with the old streaming player on the page, and there's nothing wrong with the new one either. You have to use it, because the old one won't work- and you have to click the link for the new player. Full downloads in various formats are available at the bottom of that same page. If you're an ethical file-sharer, be ye advised that the Almost Acoustic Band are not only wonderful musicians, they're also happy to let people trade their live recordings freely. You can find their statement (along with many other peformances) on file here.