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The Heptones — Book of Rules
Album: Night Food
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2847









Released: 1973
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Isn't it strange how princesses and kings
In clown-ragged capers in sawdust rings
While common people like you and me
We'll be builders for eternity
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules

Each must make his life as flowing in
Tumbling block on a stepping stone
While common people like you and me
We'll be builders for eternity
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules

Look when the rain has fallen from the sky
You know the sun will be only with us for a while
While common people like you and me
We'll be builders for eternity
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules
Comments (120)add comment
Fab track.. Trojan Reggae at its best 
Posted 1 day ago by gerard_pym    [ Reply ]
 Cy wrote:

Excellent song, the words really make you think. The lyrics to this are based on a poem written by R.L. Sharpe over 50 years ago. Here's a link, if anyone's interested https://www.docspeak.com/Programs/STRANGE.HTM


The link is dead but here is a new one. Good find, Cy!

https://poemanalysis.com/rober...

…and I thought that the book of rules referenced a bible, koran, or whatever. 
Posted 1 month ago by WoodieGoodpecker    [ Reply ]
Exellent
Posted 2 months ago by ringolevaux    [ Reply ]
This song should have been used in a commercial. Remarkably snappy tune.
Posted 8 months ago by igotitmade2k    [ Reply ]
 sid1950 wrote:
Haven't heard this for a long, long time! Thanks Bill{#Bananajam}


2024 - never gets stale ...
Posted 1 year ago by Johnny_Alpha    [ Reply ]
One day, all music will be made this way.
Posted 1 year ago by Foggymountain    [ Reply ]
A reggae classic! So nice to hear it on RP.
Posted 1 year ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]

A proverb says, listen to a reggae song every day and you will have a happy life! Just upgraded from 7 to 8 with a smile.

Posted 2 years ago by philonair    [ Reply ]
Bill is hittin’ on all 8 cylinders this lovely evening.😍
Posted 3 years ago by SteveInVa    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

I lived in a California surf town from 1990 to 1995. This was on nonstop rotation and for some reason the whole town smelled like Humboldt grown indica.

Isn't that a good thing?
c.

Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
bora fechar uma
Posted 3 years ago by lucidea333    [ Reply ]
I lived in a California surf town from 1990 to 1995. This was on nonstop rotation and for some reason the whole town smelled like Humboldt grown indica.
Posted 3 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 orans17 wrote:

Among the greatest achievements in reggae along with Israelites, Redemption Song and well, take your pick Jimmy Cliff Many Rivers, You Can Get it or Harder They Come.  Transcendent. 


This is from the Rocksteady portion of the Heptones catalog. Not Reggae. Close though!
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
For decades, I thought that "Each is given a bag of tools" was "Bee Gees getting the bad of fools." Who knew?
Posted 3 years ago by bkrans9    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 3 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
What a beautiful song. 
Posted 4 years ago by andy.ormsby955    [ Reply ]
 orans17 wrote:
 
 
Yes!
 “Israelites”, couldn’t agree more.
Posted 4 years ago by seamegg    [ Reply ]
Among the greatest achievements in reggae along with Israelites, Redemption Song and well, take your pick Jimmy Cliff Many Rivers, You Can Get it or Harder They Come.  Transcendent. 
Posted 4 years ago by orans17    [ Reply ]
Legendary reggae group. 
And that bass line.. 
My grampa had an 8mm film camera in Kingston, Ja growing up back in the day, and I had a chance to use this tune and his footage to show what classic Christmas parading looked like in Jamaica in the late 60's early 70's
https://vimeo.com/showcase/398...
Posted 4 years ago by violetteadam    [ Reply ]
Twirling in the kitchen, with the book of rules on my table. 
Posted 4 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing "BeeGees given a bag of fools"
Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Rocksteady!!! Yes!

Please, sir, can we have some more?
Posted 4 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Why on earth did I rate this a 9?  An absolute 11!
Posted 4 years ago by Eric_Denison    [ Reply ]
This is the first time of listened to the lyrics. Strikes me as a fairly correct notion of the world.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules

Lovely.  And ya gotta love the bass.
Posted 4 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]

ROCKERS!
Posted 5 years ago by xjebediahx    [ Reply ]
I'm a big fan of that bass line
Posted 5 years ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
 swtobias508 wrote:
Hey, isn't that Dave Chappel on the cover.... man, that dude has aged well.
 

Mos Def
Posted 5 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
 aliencat wrote:
What a beautiful, uplifting  song - with the  righteous beat.
 

Agreed. Beyond 10. Off the scale.
Posted 5 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
What a beautiful, uplifting  song - with the  righteous beat.
Posted 5 years ago by aliencat    [ Reply ]
Hey, isn't that Dave Chappel on the cover.... man, that dude has aged well.
Posted 6 years ago by swtobias508    [ Reply ]
This song always makes me think of riding my bike on a warm summer evening without a care in the world.
Posted 6 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
Posted 6 years ago by MrMelons    [ Reply ]
Was holding back at "9" -- this is a TEN!!
Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Great tune!{#Laughing}
Posted 7 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this for a long, long time! Thanks Bill{#Bananajam}
Posted 8 years ago by sid1950    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:

this deep ska boppa had you think of Glenn Campbell !?   K  : P  

 

To me the whole song is reminiscent of try a little kindness 
Posted 9 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
"deep ska boppa"
 
Nailed it in 3 words. This appeals to my OCD - thank you. 
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:

I have that album stashed away somewhere.  It was the first thing I thought of when I heard this gem.



 
Funny looking at that pic — never thought we'd grow old!  Have it in the album stash.
Posted 10 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
Good tune.  And a good name.
Posted 10 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
This got my head bobbing!  Thanks!  :-)
Posted 10 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
Gives me Heptonetis
Posted 10 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
also appearing on:

 

I have that album stashed away somewhere.  It was the first thing I thought of when I heard this gem.


Posted 10 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 stegokitty wrote:
The refrain "powm - pa - pa - powm" bit contains either a direct rip or homage to "Try A Little Kindness" by Glenn Campbell.

 
this deep ska boppa had you think of Glenn Campbell !?   K  : P  
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Ist fein !   paßt gut zu meiner Stimmung  {#Dance}
Posted 10 years ago by mistabird    [ Reply ]
 Ears_of_Stone wrote:
So good to hear. It reminds me of growing up in the Seventies.

 
But, but ...wait! Growing up was ON HOLD during the 70's, wasn't it? My memory is a little blurry....
Posted 11 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}  YAY  {#Yes}
Posted 11 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
good tune...never really noticed it before...8
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
I wish the humidity in my place was above 20% right now.   We humans need to invent loudspeakers that are more than just transducers.
 

 
Move to the Southeast; the humidity rarely seems to go below 70%.  Good tune.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
So good to hear. It reminds me of growing up in the Seventies.
Posted 12 years ago by Ears_of_Stone    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
And now it's April and it is still snowing tonite...
 
Doesn't often snow here in Atlanta, if that's what you're looking for.  As for this song, I really dig the bass lines; wonder how they got that punchiness?
Posted 12 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
It's killing me, this realy reminds me of something - exactly - but it won't come to me!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
The refrain "powm - pa - pa - powm" bit contains either a direct rip or homage to "Try A Little Kindness" by Glenn Campbell.
Posted 12 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 
Posted 12 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
yessss   right
Posted 12 years ago by mistabird    [ Reply ]
And now it's April and it is still snowing tonite...
 
msymmes wrote:
I wish the humidity in my place was above 20% right now.   We humans need to invent loudspeakers that are more than just transducers.
 
 


Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
I wish the humidity in my place was above 20% right now.   We humans need to invent loudspeakers that are more than just transducers.
 
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
more heptones good!
Posted 13 years ago by egsstaff    [ Reply ]
good vibration  good song{#Dance}
Posted 13 years ago by mistabird    [ Reply ]
Are there other radio stations?....... couldn't prove it by me.... Bill & Rebecca rock!!!!!
Posted 13 years ago by greg4067    [ Reply ]
 Phlegmaticman wrote:
Great song.
 
does anyone really need another radio station?  NO
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Great song.
Posted 13 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
Always liked this one.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 Sobient wrote:

You sir, have no idea how wrong you are. Have you listened to the lyrics? It's much in the same way what Sam Cooke did with "Chain gang" - portraying horrible conditions in an approachable way.

 

respectfully, i didn't get that from the song. This song is actually straight from a poem of  R.L.Sharpe "A Bag Of Tools" it says that we have our own talents and how we use them is up to us. do we build something outstanding that will stand the test of time or do we complain and do nothing. even though our 'tools' may be different from our neighbors  we should put concious effort into greatness.     I'm paraphrasing but it's pretty much on point. I'd be interested to know what you think.

Posted 14 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
Dig it!  More of the same, please!
Posted 15 years ago by frink_1    [ Reply ]
also appearing on:


Posted 15 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 15 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 plutodazed wrote:
Happy song full of joy.

 
You sir, have no idea how wrong you are. Have you listened to the lyrics? It's much in the same way what Sam Cooke did with "Chain gang" - portraying horrible conditions in an approachable way.

Posted 15 years ago by Sobient    [ Reply ]
love it!


Posted 15 years ago by Casa_Blanca    [ Reply ]
We'll be builders for eternity
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules

Pretty outstanding take on life, huh? Can't believe, as much as I like this song, I'd never really LISTENED to the message.


Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
This is an absolute classic!  Thanks, Bill!  10!
Posted 16 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
me likey
Posted 16 years ago by kellikat    [ Reply ]
All time Classic!!!!!!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Superb
Posted 18 years ago by Mack    [ Reply ]
Marvelous!
Posted 18 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Bought "Night Food" in a 2nd hand shop returning from a 3 month stint in a central Queensland coal mine in about '83. My ears were clogged with coal dust and infected from it so I was virtually deaf. Had them unblocked when I returned home , then rushed home to put on the Heptones album. Realized I'd stumbled upon a gem and that there was more to reggae than Bob Marley.
Posted 18 years ago by snapoutovit    [ Reply ]
If you like this, check out Fat Freddy's Drop from NZ--Kiwi reggae bliss.
Posted 18 years ago by divinemadness    [ Reply ]
awww... it brings back memories .. sweet memories
Posted 18 years ago by sixxstrings    [ Reply ]
I thought their name was the Hemptones!
Posted 18 years ago by rangersfan    [ Reply ]
I've heard this played on RP before . . . and it has grown on me. Overall a nice tune. Reminds me of the days when driving in the car listening to tunes with friends in NW PA . . . good times.
Posted 19 years ago by Dunkelstar    [ Reply ]
Pleasant tempo...nice.
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
And , of course, one should ALWAYS bring a towel...
oh and thanks for all the fish...
Posted 19 years ago by Bizzarefall    [ Reply ]
ludwig7 wrote:
I got one, but all it says is "DON'T PANIC" in big, comforting letters. (Obscure literary reference #42.)
Oh, hahahaha! My hard drive--replaced twice, once with a computer upgrade and once cuz it crashed--is named "42.1.2."
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Hmmm...I think I may hear "Try A Little Kindness" Oh well..
Posted 19 years ago by lynncorry1964    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by curufinwe    [ Reply ]
Long time ...no hear...got to find "The Harder They Come" on DVD.
Posted 19 years ago by jedzep    [ Reply ]
Angloray wrote:
okay, this is very obscure, but does anyone else hear shades of that Monty Python skit "Oxford Professors Sing Medieval Agrarian History"? Anyone?
Hey, Angloray. I do!! :)
Posted 19 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
jah_blessed wrote:
Good vibes.
Terrific!
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Good vibes.
Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
Happy song full of joy.
Posted 20 years ago by plutodazed    [ Reply ]
okay, this is very obscure, but does anyone else hear shades of that Monty Python skit "Oxford Professors Sing Medieval Agrarian History"? Anyone?
Posted 20 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
weirdddd...reminds me of little mermaid...sha la la la
Posted 20 years ago by bebe    [ Reply ]
ludwig7 wrote:
I got one, but all it says is "DON'T PANIC" in big, comforting letters. (Obscure literary reference #42.)
And , of course, one should ALWAYS bring a towel...
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Sounds so very familiar....each time I hear it.
Posted 20 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
lindydallas wrote:
Not a fan of reggae at all... but this I like; --d
little girl, there's hope for you yet!
Posted 21 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
rulebritannia wrote:
Reggae used to be hep, good, Dr, hence the past tense. Now it's just a bore...
Umm, and who appointed you the arbiter of hipness?
Posted 21 years ago by 54-40    [ Reply ]
drH wrote:
the hept ones? I don't get it. :-k
I thought it was the "Hep Tones".
Posted 21 years ago by MaxEmerika    [ Reply ]
lindydallas wrote:
Not a fan of reggae at all... but this I like; --d
I'm not a fan of reggae and, I'm afraid, I don't like this. drH wrote:
the hept ones? I don't get it. :-k
Reggae used to be hep, good, Dr, hence the past tense. Now it's just a bore...
Posted 21 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
the hept ones? I don't get it. :-k
Posted 21 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
etwilson wrote:
Hey, I never got a book of rules! Did everyone else get one? This could explain a lot of things in my life.
I got one, but all it says is "DON'T PANIC" in big, comforting letters. (Obscure literary reference #42.)
Posted 22 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
Not a fan of reggae at all... but this I like; --d
Posted 22 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
HATE Rusted Root. Lame, worn out, 60's sound.
Posted 22 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
etwilson wrote:
Hey, I never got a book of rules! Did everyone else get one? This could explain a lot of things in my life.
I got my shapeless mass, though.
Posted 22 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Hey, I never got a book of rules! Did everyone else get one? This could explain a lot of things in my life.
Posted 22 years ago by etwilson    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool little groove, a nice change of pace.
Posted 22 years ago by ExpectedMIracles    [ Reply ]
God I love this song.
Posted 22 years ago by fatport    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Cy: Excellent song, the words really make you think. The lyrics to this are based on a poem written by R.L. Sharpe over 50 years ago. Here's a link, if anyone's interested https://www.docspeak.com/Programs/STRANGE.HTM
Thanks.
Posted 22 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
The little tinkling piano parts remind me of Nick Lowe's Breaking Glass.
Posted 23 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Man, the more i hear this one the more i love it! I like reggae but i\'ve never heard of the Heptones. Thanks RP
Posted 23 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]
One of the true reggae classics! Thanks for putting it up.
Posted 23 years ago by pkeys    [ Reply ]
Excellent song, the words really make you think. The lyrics to this are based on a poem written by R.L. Sharpe over 50 years ago. Here\'s a link, if anyone\'s interested https://www.docspeak.com/Programs/STRANGE.HTM
Posted 23 years ago by Cy    [ Reply ]