From the recording Wayward Son
A pseudo reggae Inspired by the London Bus route No 37 passing through South London
and the 1981 Brixton riots.
Actually got to play this song live in an impromptu jam with the Wailers' Carlton Barrett on percussion around 1985 when he wandered in to an Auckland Cafe I was playing at and asked to sit in - the Wailers were touring New Zealand at this time.
Lyrics
Number Thirty-Seven, Number 37, (c Wayne Gillespie 1984 -Key Gm)
Wayward Son Album Version
1) Wailing Marvon's proud of his dark skin now
You see him glistening on the factory floor
Being black he knows is no sin now
But being white ... that he's not so sure
2) Every day he catch the bus from Brixton
To his home down in Peckham Rye
He knows that Jah has almighty wisdom
But still he wonders why
Chorus: He’s riding on the Number 37
Riding on that number
He' riding on the Number 37
Riding on that number
3) Now little Edith ..she's a bus conductress
She's light and breezy as she clips the fare
And though her body's aching for a rest
She don't seem to have no care
4) She looks outside she sees the sky is raining
And the West Indies seem so far
She knows it's no use complaining
About the way things are
Chorus: ’Cos she's riding on the Number 37
riding on that number
She's riding on the Number 37
Riding on that number
5) On the top deck it feels like Jamaica
As we’re all moving to that Reggae beat
Marvon says "Can I see you later?"
And Edith says "You know you’ve got some cheek"
Cos I’ll be riding on the Number 37
Riding on that number
I'm riding on the Number 37
Riding on that number
Repeat and END