Still grainy
On that old balck and white TV
My whole family
Silent (ssh)
Watching you shape destiny
With your two hands
Faster than the eye can see
Mesmerising
You know what, skinny little me
Started to strut
Ten years old
Suddenly bold 'cos I resolved
To live like my hero in the ring
Be smart, never give an inch, no retreating
And I racked up respect from teachers
Rednecks and creatures
Who attack in a pack like insects
Never seen the like not before or since
A young price
And still I remain convinced of his invincibility
Athletic agility, virility
Still a free spirit
Forever through eternity
Stinging like a bee
Mr Mohammed Ali
(Chorus)
I want you to know
You are the original
Your achievements defy belief
From the belly of the beast
Rising like yeast
My relief from low self-seteem
Came when I saw you rapping on my TV screen
Float like a butterfly
That described my walk to school
After fight night I felt so cool
Cos I was the greatest too
Love of self born simply out of love for you
And I knew some day people would love me too
None of the heckling about my black skin got through
I would walk barefoot through hell for you
That's how I felt back then and I still do
So will you accept these humble words of praise
And my gratitude for those glorious days
And meritorious ways
Instilled in a young mind
Skills sublime
Yours to mine
(chorus)
I want you to know
You are the original
Maxi Jazz - Rap & chorus vocals
Sister Bliss - Keyboards
Aubrey Nunn - Bass guitar
Sudha - Percussion
Pauline Taylor - Chorus backing vocals
DJ Pete Miser - Scratching
Andy Treacey - Drums
The song has a very full instrumental section. It is led by strings and brass (even if they are played on keyboards) with Aubrey plaing a very complex bass riff, backed by Sudha and Andy hammering out a very tricky time-signature. In the verse, the lead is taken by what sounds like a synthesised guitar.