Ah, goddamn it. Only the good die young. Well, at 64. We don’t usually spill over into music here, but we’re damn well going to make an exception for this one. Desmond Dekker has died [Also]. A couple of years ago, we were at a Skatalites gig at the Jazz Cafe, when suddenly they realised Desmond was in the audience and hauled him up on stage to sing Israelites with them – the band still including, at that time, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb and Cedric ‘Im Brooks among others. There was a lot of love in that room.

I don’t know where you are, but it’s miserable and pissing down in London. Here’s something to make you feel better.

Desmond Dekker – Israelites

All together now:

Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir,
so that every mouth can be fed.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir,
So that every mouth can be fed.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

My wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me.
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Shirt them a-tear up, trousers are gone.
I don’t want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

After a storm there must be a calm.
They catch me in the farm. You sound the alarm.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Poor me, the Israelite.
I wonder who I’m working for.
Poor me, Israelite,
I look a-down and out, sir.