The Book Of Rules

Singer-songwriter Barry Llewellyn of The Heptones died a few days ago. He along with Leroy Sibbles formed the group in 1965 and made the change from rock steady to reggae without missing a beat. Leroy Sibbles usually sang lead for the group but Barry Llewellyn sang lead on their 1973 hit Book of Rules, which is the reason why I picked it even though it is not a Llewellyn song. Plus, I like it.

Isn't it strange how princesses and kings
And clowns that'll caper in sawdust rings
Just 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 or a stepping stone
Just 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

I says 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
I know the sun will be only missing for a while
I says 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

I says 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

Rest in Peace, Barry Llewellyn.



-Barry Llywellyn's obituary in the Jamaica Observer here.

-A short history of Jamaican music from 1953-1973 here.