Song Meaning

The track "Old Veteran" is a powerful declaration of enduring presence and respect within the music scene, specifically rooted in dancehall and reggae history. The repeated assertion "we are di old veteran" acts as a defiant anthem, establishing a lineage and a claim to authenticity. It’s not just about longevity; it’s about being foundational, a constant force that has witnessed and participated in the genre's evolution since its early days. The intro's "Nicodemus a long time at you they a chat" and the proverb "a leopard will never change him spot" immediately set a tone of unshakeable identity and established reputation, suggesting that true skill and presence are immutable. The core tension lies in the contrast between the "old veteran" status and the implied contemporary landscape. While the lyrics don't explicitly detail struggles, the act of repeatedly naming oneself and others as veterans suggests a need to assert their continued relevance and seniority against newer or perhaps less established acts. The extensive cataloging of names – Ranking Trevor, Josey Wales, U-Roy, Big Youth, and others – serves as a roll call of honor, a way of solidifying their collective legacy and reminding listeners of their deep roots. This isn't just a personal claim; it's a communal affirmation of a generation's impact. What truly elevates the track is its masterful use of repetition and enumeration. The chorus, "Old veteran, we are di old veteran," is a mantra that hammers home the central theme with unwavering conviction. The verses function as a historical ledger, listing key figures and early collaborations, like deejaying for "papa roots" or "Jungle man" and working with producers such as Jammy's and Jack Ruby. This detailed, almost documentary-style recitation grounds the abstract concept of being a "veteran" in concrete historical associations, making the claim feel earned and undeniable. The recurring lines like "Boy are boy, big man are big man" further reinforce a sense of natural order and established roles within the culture. Ultimately, the effectiveness of "Old Veteran" stems from its directness and its deep respect for musical heritage. By simply stating and restating their veteran status, and by backing it up with a litany of respected names and early career milestones, the lyrics create an undeniable aura of authority. It’s a sound system boast, a historical marker, and a testament to the enduring power of those who laid the groundwork. The track doesn't need complex metaphors; its power lies in its unwavering assertion of identity and its rich tapestry of references that resonate deeply within the culture it represents.

Nicodemus - Pop, Jamaica

Old Veteran

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Duration: 3:37

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[Intro] Well, big up all massive an' cool Cah I say, Nicodemus a long time at you they a chat I know, say, a leopard will never change him spot, seen? An' big up all massive cah mi are big up all di twenty four drop Seen? (Hear me now) [Chorus] Old veteran, we are di old veteran (An') Old veteran, we are di old veteran (Lord) Old veteran, we are di old veteran (Demus) Old veteran, we are di old veteran [Verse 1] Mi come in a the business at ninеteen seventy-one Mi deejay papa roots an' fi di Junglе man Mi deejay pupa Jammy's fi di Firehouse man Mi deejay Jack Ruby in a Saint Ann's Deejay pupa Tarus over Portland Deejay Stereo Mars fi di one Skengman Mi deejay pupa Coxsone up at London An' mi an' Super Cat, we are a Arawak Indian ('Cause) [Chorus] Old veteran, we are di old veteran (Lord) Old veteran, we are di old veteran (Cah) [Verse 2] Ranking Trevor, him are old veteran (An') Ranking Joe, him are old veteran (An') Josey Wales, him are old veteran (An') Say, Brigadier, him are old veteran ('Cause) Boy are boy, big man are big man (An') Gal are gal an' a woman are woman (An') Sound are sound, whole pan are whole pan Mi know, say, Nicodemus, him know styles of up-a-town Weh it name? [Chorus] Old veteran, we are di old veteran (An') Old veteran, mi are di old veteran (Move it) Old veteran, mi are di old veteran (Lord) Old veteran, mi are di old veteran [Verse 3] Mi come in a the business at nineteen seventy-one Mi deejay papa roots an' fi di Jungle man Mi deejay pupa Jammy's fi di Firehouse man Mi deejay Jack Ruby in a Saint Ann's Deejay pupa Tarus over Portland Deejay Stereo Mars fi di one Skengman Mi deejay pupa Coxsone, say, up at London An' mi an' Super Cat, we are a Arawak Indian ('Cause) [Chorus] Old veteran, we are di old veteran (An') Old veteran, we are di old veteran (God) [Verse 4] Jah Mikey, him are old veteran (An') Daddy Roy, him are old veteran (An') U-Brown, him are old veteran (An') Big Youth, him are old veteran (An') Dillinger, old veteran ('Cause) Boy are boy, big man are big man (An') Gal are gal an' a woman are woman (An') Sound are sound, whole pan are whole pan Mi know, say, Nicodemus, him know styles up-a-town ('Cause) [Chorus] Old veteran, we are di old veteran (move it) Old veteran, mi are di old veteran (Lord) Old veteran, mi are di old veteran (Demus) Old veteran, mi are di old veteran [Verse 5] We come in a the business at nineteen seventy-one We deejay papa roots a fi di Jungle man We deejay pupa Jammy's fi di Firehouse man We deejay Jack Ruby, say, in a Saint Ann's Deejay pupa Tarus over Portland Deejay Stereo Mars fi di one Skengman We deejay pupa Coxsone, say, up at London An' mi an' Super Cat, we are a Arawak Indian ('Cause) Ranking Trevor, him are old veteran (An') Ranking Joe, him are old veteran (An') U-Brown, him are old veteran (An') Say, U-Roy are old veteran (An') Dillinger, old veteran (An') Big Youth, him are old veteran (An') Jah Mikey are old veteran ('Cause) [Outro] Boy are boy, big man are big man (An') Gal are gal an' a woman are woman (An') Sound are sound, whole pan are whole pan Mi know, say, Nicodemus are di little short man

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Writers: Nicodemus

Old Veteran

Old Veteran

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