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My Beloved Africa
Meta and the Cornerstones Lyrics


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Damian Marley: Well greetings to all the brothers and sisters once again ah huh v oice of the one big Gong Zilla along side the one called Metaphysics ahh woo (haya haya haya ai) oh yeah yes off course of course oh yeah (haya haya haya ai)

Meta Dia: From the day that the beat drop (from the beginning) we've been there (ah no mus huh)
From the day that the tic tac bounced my head (tell them)
So close to Jah boom box rhymes for change (not the one that jingles)
Hope is all I have natty rise again (rise again)
Dusty foot democracy a long walk for equality
We nah go shoot no enemy join the bridges, positive society

My beloved Africa (we love you) you're my nice one (you're my nice one)



My beloved Africa you're my nice one (you're my nice one)
Heavy hearted set in stone like the buildings and streets of our home
Sometimes I look back (setta I) where all my good people at?

Hear me now yo dem visit ina dem vision and dem live in a dem dreams
The elders reminiscing upon shores they have never been
Africans in Africa please don't forget about the past
Somebody thief your cow why would you not reclaim the calf?
And tell me which Shepard is counting every blade of grass
Who wouldn't save dem own ah child no care how much it cost
Who wouldn't want to find our beloved where did lost
Mama Africa you are my nice one
Those sneaky Babylonians with their plots and schemes
Coulda ah never get we no care wah things seems
We dun spot them out on dem criminal themes
We dun spot them out on dem mineral themes say

My beloved Africa you're my nice one
My beloved Africa you're my nice nice nice one (talk to dem Metaphysical)
Heavy hearted set in stone like the buildings and streets of our home
Sometimes I look back (what you see?) where are all my good people at?
Ohhh ohhh ohhh, mi say Africa (yes off course) Africa yeah Ohhh ohhh ohhh, you're my Africa (mines too)

Hear you calling for change (oh beloved art thou oh Mama Africa we love you)
Hear who calling for repatriation (reaching out to all the Africans at home and abroad)
Citrus in my sweets taste of Heaven (love is large)
Its your dream its your dream say you have to know that
Dem ah tricky silly will satta money dem about
Meta D Jah Jah live where my Natty soldiers
Mi say Chale ah go free, Africa is about time
Beautiful smiling faces, the culture, the heritage, the history the Love, the Ancestry ehhh!

My beloved Africa you're my nice one
My beloved africa you're my nice nice nice one
Heavy hearted set in stone (heavy) like the buildings and streets of our home
Sometimes I look back where all my good people at? (somi chima lady amen...)

When I think about my land (somi chima wouro amen...)
When I think about where I'm from (somi chima lady amen…)
I'm very proud (somi chima wouro amen...) it's all love
Our Africa ohh ohh ohh me say Africa
Ohh ohh ohh Africa, my place of birth

Overall Meaning

The song "My Beloved Africa" by Meta and the Cornerstones is an ode to the continent that birthed the artists. The song talks about the struggles and triumphs of Africa and hopes for a better future. The song begins with Damian Marley's greeting where he introduces himself and Meta. The song speaks of the African experience by highlighting a sense of belongingness that Meta feels. He talks about being there from the beginning when the beat drops and the tic tac bounces his head. Meta's belief in hope and equality keeps his faith alive in the face of dusty foot democracy. Even when facing adversity and challenges, Meta will not shoot the enemy and chooses to join bridges and a positive society. He emphasizes the importance of remembering the past and is looking for all his good people who are still there.


Meta then expresses his love for Africa, calling it his nice one, amidst all the struggles and challenges in the land. He knows Africa has a heavy heart, set in stone like the buildings and streets of their home, but he still loves it. He points out how the Babylonians and their plots and schemes cannot stop their love for Africa. Repatriation is calling out to all Africans at home and abroad. With an immense love for Africa, Meta knows it's time for Africa to be free. The song ends with Meta expressing pride in Africa, his place of birth.


Line by Line Meaning

Well greetings to all the brothers and sisters once again ah huh v oice of the one big Gong Zilla along side the one called Metaphysics ahh woo (haya haya haya ai) oh yeah yes off course of course oh yeah (haya haya haya ai)
Damian Marley introduces himself and Meta as they join forces to express their appreciation for Africa.


From the day that the beat drop (from the beginning) we've been there (ah no mus huh)
Meta explains that he has been present and committed to his African roots from the very start, since the beat dropped.


From the day that the tic tac bounced my head (tell them)
Meta reminisces about his childhood memories with music, revealing that African rhythms have always been a part of him, and his 'head' has been bouncing to them since he was young.


So close to Jah boom box rhymes for change (not the one that jingles)
Meta's music carries the message of change and hope, influenced by his close relationship with Jah, and is not a commodity like those that jingle for commercial success.


Hope is all I have natty rise again (rise again)
Amidst the struggle and challenges, Meta remains hopeful that he and his fellow Africans will rise again, with his natural locks ('natty') symbolizing his determination to overcome.


Dusty foot democracy a long walk for equality
Meta highlights the longstanding struggle for democracy and equality in Africa, referring to himself as a dusty-footed citizen, reiterating the need for ongoing efforts towards justice.


We nah go shoot no enemy join the bridges, positive society
Meta rejects violent approaches to conflict resolution, instead calling for unity and efforts to create a positive, inclusive society that builds bridges rather than walls.


My beloved Africa (we love you) you're my nice one (you're my nice one)
The chorus expresses Meta's love and strong connection to Africa, calling it his 'nice one,' and affirming his appreciation for its beauty and importance.


Heavy hearted set in stone like the buildings and streets of our home Sometimes I look back (setta I) where all my good people at?
Meta acknowledges the weight of the history and challenges that African people have faced, likening it to the heavy stone structures of their cities and homes, and expressing a longing for his people in difficult times.


Hear me now yo dem visit ina dem vision and dem live in a dem dreams The elders reminiscing upon shores they have never been
Meta addresses African people who have left their homeland, calling them to remember their roots and be proud of their heritage, and highlighting the role of their ancestors in preserving African traditions.


Africans in Africa please don't forget about the past Somebody thief your cow why would you not reclaim the calf?
Meta advises Africans on the continent not to forget their history, reminding them to hold onto what is rightfully theirs and not to forget the harm that past injustices have caused.


And tell me which Shepard is counting every blade of grass Who wouldn't save dem own ah child no care how much it cost Who wouldn't want to find our beloved where did lost Mama Africa you are my nice one
Meta questions the motives of those who claim to be good shepherds but do not prioritize the needs of their own people or seek to find their 'lost' African heritage, expressing his love and appreciation for Africa once again.


Those sneaky Babylonians with their plots and schemes Coulda ah never get we no care wah things seems We dun spot them out on dem criminal themes We dun spot them out on dem mineral themes say
Meta calls out those who seek to exploit Africa and its resources through various schemes and plots, emphasizing that their deceitful tactics cannot fool them, and expressing the importance of being aware of these issues.


Hear you calling for change (oh beloved art thou oh Mama Africa we love you) Hear who calling for repatriation (reaching out to all the Africans at home and abroad) Citrus in my sweets taste of Heaven (love is large) Its your dream its your dream say you have to know that Dem ah tricky silly will satta money dem about
Meta acknowledges the calls for change and repatriation from his fellow Africans, likening the sweetness of citrus to the feeling of paradise, and emphasizing the importance of knowing one's own dreams and aspirations amidst the tricky schemes of those seeking to profit from Africa.


Meta D Jah Jah live where my Natty soldiers Mi say Chale ah go free, Africa is about time Beautiful smiling faces, the culture, the heritage, the history the Love, the Ancestry ehhh!
Meta affirms that Jah Jah (God) lives within himself and within his fellow natural-locked soldiers, expressing the hope for Africa to become free and celebrating its beauty, culture, heritage, history, love, and ancestry.


When I think about my land (somi chima wouro amen...) When I think about where I'm from (somi chima lady amen…) I'm very proud (somi chima wouro amen...) it's all love Our Africa ohh ohh ohh me say Africa Ohh ohh ohh Africa, my place of birth
Meta reflects on his pride and love for his land and hometown, affirming that it is all rooted in love, and celebrating Africa as his birthplace.




Contributed by Stella E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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