November 19, 1996

 

Sonny's Lettah (Anti-sus poem)

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Forces of Victory
CCD 9566 (Track 3)

Mango ® (P) 1979 Island Records


Jeb Avenue 
London, South West 2
Inglan

Dear Ma Maa,

Good Day
I hope that when these few lines reach you
they may find you in the best of health

Ma Maa I really don' know how to tell yu dis
'cause , I did meck a solemn promise
to teck care a likkle Jim and try 
mi best fi look out fi 'im

Ma Maa a really did try mi best
but none de less
mi sorry fi tell yu sey
poor likkle Jim get aress'
it was de middle a de rush 'our
when everybody jus' a hustle an a bustle        
fi go 'ome fi dem evenin' shower

Me and Jim stand up waiting pon a bus 
  not causing no fuss
when all on a sudden a police man
        pull up
out jump 3 police man
De 'ole a dem carrying baton

Dem walk up to me and Jim
one a dem 'ole on to Jim
sey 'im teckin 'im in 
Jim tell him fi leggo a 'im
fa 'im no do nuttin
an 'im naw tief, not even a button

Jim start to riggle
De police start to giggle 

Ma Maa, meck a tell yu weh dem do to Jim
Ma Maa , meck a tell yu we dem do to him

Dem tump 'im in 'im belly 
   an' it turn to jelly
Dem lick 'im pon 'im back  
   an 'im rib get pop
Dem lick 'im pon 'im head 
   but it tuff like lead
Dem kick 'im in 'im seed 
  an it started to bleed 

Ma Maa I just couldn't just stan' up 
  deh a no do nutten

So mi juck one ina 'im eye   
   an 'im started to cry
Mi tump one in 'im mout  
   an 'im started to shout 
Mi kick one pon 'im shin
an 'im started to spin
Mi tump 'im pon 'im chin  
  an 'im drop pon a bin
       an crash an dead


Ma Maa more police man come down
   an beat me to de ground          


Dem charge Jim fi sus
Dem charge mi fi murder
Ma Ma!  Don't fret 
don't get depress an down 'earted
be of good courage

Till I hear from yu

I remain your son

Sonny

 


© 1979 Linton Kwesi Johnson
All Rights Reserved

 

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