The Honorable Robert Nesta Marley was born on the sixth day of the second month 73 years ago. He was only with us for a brief moment but his music continues to entertain us, to soothe us, and to inspire us. It’s time again for our annual celebration of the life of Bob Marley.
People the world over respect, admire, love and even worship Bob for his prolific songwriting skills and his unique delivery; but those were only small parts of what made him become the universal phenomenon that he is today. His revolutionary message demanding human rights and human dignity resonated with men and women faced with Babylon’s relentless assaults day in day out. His fearless and total disregard for formal authority only added to his appeal.
The man’s whose music has become the anthem for social uprisings across continents had no love for politics. Even though some of Bob’s ardent followers still do argue that he “was taken out” because powerful people feared his political influence, he himself often shared his disdain for partisanship and politicians. That contempt for politicians and “the system” is what I’m calling on tonight.
These are perilous times. Lots of people are suffering or living in fear as a direct result of the actions and words of the interloper who sits in the seat for which he’s uniquely unqualified. Let’s send him some messages. I don’t think Bob would mind, do you?
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This is how this will work: You name or post your song highlighting the message. It may only be one line, or one verse, or the whole song. I’ll start.
“Crazy Baldhead”
I'n'I build a cabin
I'n'I plant the corn
Didn't my people before me
Slave for this country?
Now you look me with that scorn
Then you eat up all my corn
“Buffalo Soldier”
If you know your history
Then you would know where you coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
Who the heck do I think I am
“War”
Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.
”Small Axe”
Why boasteth thyself, oh, evil men
Playing smart and not being clever, oh no
I say, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity, yeah (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness, of Jah Jah
I-dureth for-I-ver
“Chant Down Babylon”
Come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon one more time);
Come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon);
For them soft! Yes, them soft! (ah-yoy!)
Them soft! Me say, Them soft! (ah-yoy!)
So come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon)!
“Work”
We, Jah people, can make it work;
Come together and make it work, yeah!
We can make it work;
We can make it work.