The Heptones — Book of Rules
Album: Peace & Harmony
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 2544
Released: 1973
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 2544
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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
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 (116)add comment
One day, all music will be made this way.
A reggae classic! So nice to hear it on RP.
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.
Bill is hittin’ on all 8 cylinders this lovely evening.😍
scrubbrush wrote:
Isn't that a good thing?
c.
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.
c.
bora fechar uma
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.
orans17 wrote:
This is from the Rocksteady portion of the Heptones catalog. Not Reggae. Close though!
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!
For decades, I thought that "Each is given a bag of tools" was "Bee Gees getting the bad of fools." Who knew?
Nice!
What a beautiful song.
orans17 wrote:
Yes!
“Israelites”, couldn’t agree more.
Yes!
“Israelites”, couldn’t agree more.
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.
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...
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...
Twirling in the kitchen, with the book of rules on my table.
I keep hearing "BeeGees given a bag of fools"
Rocksteady!!! Yes!
Please, sir, can we have some more?
Please, sir, can we have some more?
Why on earth did I rate this a 9? An absolute 11!
This is the first time of listened to the lyrics. Strikes me as a fairly correct notion of the world.
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass and the book of rules
Lovely. And ya gotta love the bass.
ROCKERS!
I'm a big fan of that bass line
swtobias508 wrote:
Mos Def
Hey, isn't that Dave Chappel on the cover.... man, that dude has aged well.
Mos Def
aliencat wrote:
Agreed. Beyond 10. Off the scale.
What a beautiful, uplifting song - with the righteous beat.
Agreed. Beyond 10. Off the scale.
What a beautiful, uplifting song - with the righteous beat.
Hey, isn't that Dave Chappel on the cover.... man, that dude has aged well.
This song always makes me think of riding my bike on a warm summer evening without a care in the world.
Was holding back at "9" -- this is a TEN!!
Great tune!
Haven't heard this for a long, long time! Thanks Bill
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
this deep ska boppa had you think of Glenn Campbell !? K : P
To me the whole song is reminiscent of try a little kindness
hayduke2 wrote:
Nailed it in 3 words. This appeals to my OCD - thank you.
"deep ska boppa"
Nailed it in 3 words. This appeals to my OCD - thank you.
LPCity wrote:
Funny looking at that pic — never thought we'd grow old! Have it in the album stash.
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.
Good tune. And a good name.
This got my head bobbing! Thanks! :-)
Gives me Heptonetis
LongGoneDaddy wrote:
I have that album stashed away somewhere. It was the first thing I thought of when I heard this gem.
stegokitty wrote:
this deep ska boppa had you think of Glenn Campbell !? K : P
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
Ist fein ! paßt gut zu meiner Stimmung
Ears_of_Stone wrote:
But, but ...wait! Growing up was ON HOLD during the 70's, wasn't it? My memory is a little blurry....
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....
YAY
good tune...never really noticed it before...8
msymmes wrote:
Move to the Southeast; the humidity rarely seems to go below 70%. Good tune.
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.
So good to hear. It reminds me of growing up in the Seventies.
msymmes wrote:
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?
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?
It's killing me, this realy reminds me of something - exactly - but it won't come to me!!!!
The refrain "powm - pa - pa - powm" bit contains either a direct rip or homage to "Try A Little Kindness" by Glenn Campbell.
Everybody in my churches loves this song...
yessss right
And now it's April and it is still snowing tonite...
msymmes wrote:
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.
I wish the humidity in my place was above 20% right now. We humans need to invent loudspeakers that are more than just transducers.
more heptones good!
good vibration good song
Are there other radio stations?....... couldn't prove it by me.... Bill & Rebecca rock!!!!!
Phlegmaticman wrote:
does anyone really need another radio station? NO
Great song.
does anyone really need another radio station? NO
Great song.
Always liked this one.
Nice!
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.
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.
Dig it! More of the same, please!
Nice!
plutodazed 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.
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.
love it!
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.
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.
This is an absolute classic! Thanks, Bill! 10!
me likey
All time Classic!!!!!!!!!
Superb
Marvelous!
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.
If you like this, check out Fat Freddy's Drop from NZ--Kiwi reggae bliss.
awww... it brings back memories .. sweet memories
I thought their name was the Hemptones!
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.
Pleasant tempo...nice.
trekhead wrote:
And , of course, one should ALWAYS bring a towel...
oh and thanks for all the fish...
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."
Hmmm...I think I may hear "Try A Little Kindness"
Oh well..
Long time ...no hear...got to find "The Harder They Come" on DVD.
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!! :)
jah_blessed wrote:
Good vibes.
Terrific!
Good vibes.
Happy song full of joy.
okay, this is very obscure, but does anyone else hear shades of that Monty Python skit "Oxford Professors Sing Medieval Agrarian History"? Anyone?
weirdddd...reminds me of little mermaid...sha la la la
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...
Sounds so very familiar....each time I hear it.
lindydallas wrote:
Not a fan of reggae at all... but this I like; --d
little girl, there's hope for you yet!
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?
drH wrote:
the hept ones? I don't get it. :-k
I thought it was the "Hep Tones".
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...
the hept ones? I don't get it. :-k
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.)
Not a fan of reggae at all... but this I like; --d
HATE Rusted Root.
Lame, worn out, 60's sound.
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.
Hey, I never got a book of rules! Did everyone else get one? This could explain a lot of things in my life.
Pretty cool little groove, a nice change of pace.
God I love this song.
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.
The little tinkling piano parts remind me of Nick Lowe's Breaking Glass.
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
One of the true reggae classics! Thanks for putting it up.
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
2024 - never gets stale ...