Draw Your Brakes

One of my favourite tracks from the 1972 Jamaican film, 'The Harder They Come'.

Scotty - Draw Your Brakes



There is an interesting fact to this track by the late reggae vocalist and deejay, Scotty (David Scott). At the start of the track, Scotty says something in Jamaican patois. Of course, I did not understood what he was saying and that led to my fervent search for the exact meaning. The lack of a lyrics book in the CD meant that anybody and everybody had their own interpretation of it. Most of which were either from unverified sources or just did not make any sense.

Eventually, I came across a website where I found my answer. There was an interview with a professor who is an expert in Jamaican patois. What was said at the beginning of the track by Scotty, was actually: 'Forward and payaaka, manhangle and den go saaka'. It meant, 'go and take away a next man's girl, grab her and then go have sex with her'. Sweeeeet.

To think that I actually thought it had a profound meaning to it like a Rasta's words of wisdom. Well, I guess it does have some elements of philosophy and wisdom to it, depending on how you look at it. = )