Smoke signal
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| - | "'''Bafflin' Smoke Signal'''" is a musical composition by [[Lee Perry]], released in 1978 on [[Black Art]] records. | + | {{Other uses}} |
| - | :The song was Perry's response to the sudden death that same year of [[Pope John Paul I]] – whose 33-day reign was the shortest in papal history – and the subsequent election of [[John Paul II]]. Conspiracy theories abounded over the cause of the former's death and they seem to have taken root in Perry's then fevered imagination. In typical Upsetter style, the song plays at 33⅓ rpm – a nod to the length of John Paul I's papacy? – and its lyrical invention is similarly surreal. It begins with various quotations from the [[Book of Revelations]], all of which are given a Rastafarian spin before Perry elaborates his thoughts on the papal conclave. "Thousands gather in the valley, looking for the white smoke, but to their surprise, there comes black smoke," he sings over a chirruping rhythm. "No more white smoke, it's the end of your hope." | + | [[File:Frederic Remington smoke signal.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Native Americans on a painting by [[Frederic Remington]]]] |
| + | The '''smoke signal''' is one of the oldest forms of long-distance communication. It is a form of [[visual communication]] used over long distance. | ||
| - | :The tradition of announcing the election of a new pope by puffs of [[white smoke from a chimney]] in the Vatican is also referred to, and satirised, in the song's double-tracked chorus. "Baffling smoke signals in the Vatican city," he chants. "Baffling smoke signals in the city of iniquity." Legend has it that this was Perry's final recording in the legendary [[Black Ark]] studio in Kingston, which he burned down in a fit of marijuana-fuelled paranoia in 1979. "There is nothing new under the sun," he concludes, ever the prankster philosopher. "How come you giving us a new pope?" | + | ==History and usage== |
| + | In [[Ancient China]], soldiers stationed along the [[Great Wall]] would alert each other of impending enemy attack by signaling from tower to tower. In this way, they were able to transmit a message as far away as {{convert|750|km}} in just a few hours. | ||
| - | The so-called "city of inequity" seemed to hold a particular fascination for The Upsetter, who also produced Max Romeo's similarly denunciatory [[Fire Fe the Vatican]], an [[anti-papal]] take on the singer's classic single, [[War in a Babylon]]. Again, the Book of Revelations provides the inspiration. "Fire for the Vatican, blood for the Pope-man," sings Romeo. "Who say? Revelations say." A similar sentiment underscores Trinity's declamatory Pope Paul Dead and Gone as wells as Big Youth and the Ark Angels Pope Paul Feel It – "The wicked run leave their bed – cos Pope Paul dead." (The same song also contains the advice, "You better watch your step, Missus Queen.") | + | [[Polybius]], a Greek [[historian]], came up with a more complex system of alphabetical smoke signals around 150 [[Before Christ|BC]]. He invented a system of converting Greek alphabetic characters into numeric characters. It was devised to enable messages to be easily signaled by holding sets of [[torch]]es in pairs. This idea, known as the "[[Polybius square]]", also lends itself to [[cryptography]] and [[steganography]]. This cryptographic concept has been used with Japanese [[Hiragana]] and the Germans in the later years of the [[First World War]]. |
| - | More stirring still is Michael Prophet and Yabby You's [[anthemic]] [[Mash Down Rome]] from 1979, in which the anti-papal message is indistinct amid a horns-driven production by the late Vivian Jackson (AKA Yabby You) that makes this song an enduring roots' reggae classic. By 1981, DJs had inevitably jumped on board the anti-pope bandwagon. Toyan's Pope in a di Corner is a lyrical boxing match between the righteous dreadlocks man and the ungodly bald-headed man in which the Toyan is David to the pope's Goliath. | + | The [[North American Indians]] also communicated via smoke signal. Each [[tribe]] had its own signaling system and understanding. A signaler started a fire on an elevation typically using damp grass, which would cause a column of smoke to rise. The grass would be taken off as it dried and another bundle would be placed on the fire. Reputedly the location of the smoke along the incline conveyed a meaning. If it came from halfway up the hill, this would signify all was well, but from the top of the hill it would signify danger. |
| - | More recently, Anthony B, a younger Rastafarian musician in the tradition of Burning Spear and Culture, released [[Fire Pon Rome]] (1996), a return to reggae's tradition of pope-bashing. The chorus runs: "Fire Pon Rome, Fe Pope Paul an him scissors an comb/ Black people want go home, and Mount Zion a di righteous throne." The song remains the same: Jah Rastafari is Earth's rightful ruler, whatever the cardinals decide. | + | Smoke signals are still in use today. In [[Rome]], the [[College of Cardinals]] uses smoke signals to indicate the selection of a new [[Pope]]. Eligible cardinals conduct a [[secret ballot]] until someone receives a vote of two-thirds plus one. The ballots are burned after each vote. Black smoke indicates a failed ballot; white smoke means a new Pope has been elected. |
| - | ==See also== | + | |
| - | ''[[The Upsetter Shop, Vol. 3: Baffling Smoke Signal]]'' | + | In general smoke signals are used to transmit news, signal danger, or gather people to a common area. |
| - | *[[Anti-papal]] | + | |
| - | *[[Rastafari]] | + | |
| - | *[[Smoke signal]] | + | |
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Revision as of 08:54, 15 March 2013
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[[File:Frederic Remington smoke signal.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Native Americans on a painting by Frederic Remington]] The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of long-distance communication. It is a form of visual communication used over long distance.
History and usage
In Ancient China, soldiers stationed along the Great Wall would alert each other of impending enemy attack by signaling from tower to tower. In this way, they were able to transmit a message as far away as Template:Convert in just a few hours.
Polybius, a Greek historian, came up with a more complex system of alphabetical smoke signals around 150 BC. He invented a system of converting Greek alphabetic characters into numeric characters. It was devised to enable messages to be easily signaled by holding sets of torches in pairs. This idea, known as the "Polybius square", also lends itself to cryptography and steganography. This cryptographic concept has been used with Japanese Hiragana and the Germans in the later years of the First World War.
The North American Indians also communicated via smoke signal. Each tribe had its own signaling system and understanding. A signaler started a fire on an elevation typically using damp grass, which would cause a column of smoke to rise. The grass would be taken off as it dried and another bundle would be placed on the fire. Reputedly the location of the smoke along the incline conveyed a meaning. If it came from halfway up the hill, this would signify all was well, but from the top of the hill it would signify danger.
Smoke signals are still in use today. In Rome, the College of Cardinals uses smoke signals to indicate the selection of a new Pope. Eligible cardinals conduct a secret ballot until someone receives a vote of two-thirds plus one. The ballots are burned after each vote. Black smoke indicates a failed ballot; white smoke means a new Pope has been elected.
In general smoke signals are used to transmit news, signal danger, or gather people to a common area.
