Many thanks to our friend and collector Joe Bailes for sharing these rare UK single with us here at MIDNIGHT RAVER.

“Judge Not” was released in 1962 on Jamaica’s Leslie Kong label Beverley’s. This was Bob’s first record as he was 16 or 17 years of age. Note the strong youthful voice! The tune had a ska beat tempo. Although the recording was not a hit, it did not slow the young singer down. Eighteen years later the Uprising album was issued which included lyrics from the Judge Not single. Mid way through the song titled “Could You Be Loved” you can hear the harmony vocals of the I-Three singing, “the road of life is rocky; and you may stumble too; so while you point a finger; someone else is judging you.” One cannot help but think that the youth today have similar thoughts!

– Joe Bailes

JUDGE NOT

Don’t you look at me so smug
And say I’m going bad.
Who are you to judge me
And the life that I live?
I know that I’m not perfect
And that I don’t claim to be.
So before you point your fingers,
Be sure your hands are clean.

Judge not
Before you judge yourself.
Judge not
If you’re not ready for judgement. Woah oh oh!

The road of life is rocking
And you may stumble too.
So while you talk about me,
someone else is judging you.

(Saxophone solo)

Judge not
Before you judge yourself.
Judge not
If you’re not ready for judgement. Woah oh oh!

The road of life is rocky
And you may stumble too.
So while you talk about me
Someone else is judging you,
Someone else is judging you,
Someone else is judging you,
Someone else is judging you,
Someone else is judging you.