He released a limited edition CD 'Soul Pirate' last year 2008. Including Kingston Town, Rastafari Anthem and a number of duets. including Micheal Rose and Natural Mystic with Ky-Mani Marley. Rodigan in the Intro points out reggae is an international force and a language (the author would like to point out that dreams can come true).. Alborosie follows with a song Diversity. Veteran DJ Ranking Joe also appears on Precious.
RISE
Alborosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
rastafari anthem
wooo yeaa heyyy
I and I a praise
king selassie
and endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
yuh nuh see seh poor people a get wise
who nuh ramp with me again
king selassie
endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
jerusalem shall rise
yuh nuh see seh jah jah people a get wise
ooh
the game up and down just like a yo-yo
mi smoke mi sensimilla and full join di show
babylon speed up so mi haffi move slow
dem sell mi lack a knowloedge but mi lack dem with di flow
dem teach mi to say yes and mi still a say no
dem tell mi fi stop and mi still go
dem tell mi fi cut and mi still grow
cah rastafari seh so
mi a praise
king selassie
and endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
africa shall rise
yuh nuh see seh poor people a get wise
who nuh ramp with me again
king selassie
endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
jerusalem shall rise
yuh nuh see seh jah jah people a get wise
wooh
the road to zion rocky but we still a
walk
we move outta babylon dem still a talk
we keep the fyah burning
and dem??? back it off now
judgement time now
emperor selassie I rule the earth
I and I pray from birth
no??? for mi??
no blood pon mi shirt
babylon mi heart still a hurt
so mi praise
king selassie
and endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
africa shall rise
yuh nuh see seh poor people a get wise
who nuh ramp with me again
king selassie
endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
jamaica shall rise
yuh nuh see seh jah jah people a get wise
wooh
dem drop down dem soul
mi nah drop down mi faith
babylon crise betta siddung and wait
cah mi wholla sekkle and mi just keep mi straight
yuh reach likkle bit too late
while I'm praise
king selassie
and endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
africa shall rise
yuh nuh see seh poor people a get wise
who nuh ramp with me again
king selassie
endorse di ghetto youth dem
mek dem well brighttt
jerusalem shall rise
yuh nuh see seh jah jah people a get wise
wooh
The lyrics to Alborosie's song "Rise" discuss the idea of rising up and keeping faith despite the struggles and obstacles faced by the marginalized people of society. He praises King Selassie, a Rastafarian icon, and endorses the ghetto youth, urging them to rise up and become successful.
Alborosie talks about the unfair treatment of poor people and praises their intelligence and ability to rise up and become wise. He mentions Jerusalem and Jamaica as two places where people are rising up and becoming enlightened.
The lyrics also address Babylon or the societal and political system that oppresses people. Alborosie talks about the rocky road to Zion or a better place and urges people to keep moving forward despite the challenges. He also alludes to smoking sensimilla or marijuana, which is often associated with Rastafarian culture.
Overall, the song encourages people to keep the faith, rise up against oppression, and embrace their culture and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
yeah alborosie deh yah
Alborosie is present and accounted for
rastafari anthem
This is a song about Rastafarianism and its ideals
I and I a praise
I am praising
king selassie
Haile Selassie, the former Emperor of Ethiopia and a key figure in Rastafarianism
and endorse di ghetto youth dem
He supports and encourages young people from impoverished areas
mek dem well brighttt
He wants to help these young people shine and be successful
africa shall rise
He believes in the potential of Africa and its people
yuh nuh see seh poor people a get wise
He points out that impoverished people are educating themselves and bettering their situation
who nuh ramp with me again
He challenges others to join him in his movement
jerusalem shall rise
He has faith that Jerusalem, a holy site for Rastafarians, will also improve and prosper
the game up and down just like a yo-yo
Life and the world can be unpredictable and full of ups and downs
mi smoke mi sensimilla and full join di show
He is smoking marijuana and participating in the Rastafarian community
babylon speed up so mi haffi move slow
He has to slow down and be deliberate in his actions because the rest of the world is moving too fast
dem sell mi lack a knowloedge but mi lack dem with di flow
He won't be swayed by those who try to convince him that he is ignorant or lacks knowledge
dem teach mi to say yes and mi still a say no
He refuses to simply agree with authority figures and instead follows his own convictions
dem tell mi fi stop and mi still go
He won't be deterred by those who tell him to stop or slow down
dem tell mi fi cut and mi still grow
He won't be held back by those who try to cut him down, but instead will keep growing and improving
cah rastafari seh so
He follows the Rastafarian teachings and beliefs
the road to zion rocky but we still a walk
The path to the ideal world, often called Zion in Rastafarianism, may be difficult and uncertain, but he is still moving forward
we move outta babylon dem still a talk
He has left the corrupt and unjust world of Babylon but people are still talking about him and his movement
we keep the fyah burning
They maintain their passion and energy
and dem??? back it off now
Their adversaries are backing down
judgement time now
The time for judgement has come
emperor selassie I rule the earth
He believes that Haile Selassie I has the power to rule over the world and make it a better place
I and I pray from birth
He has been praying his whole life
no??? for mi??
Unclear meaning due to missing word(s)
no blood pon mi shirt
He has not shed any blood or caused harm to others
babylon mi heart still a hurt
He is deeply affected by the pain and injustice of the world of Babylon
jamaica shall rise
He has faith that Jamaica, his home country and a key part of Rastafarianism, will also rise and prosper
dem drop down dem soul
Others have lost their soul or become corrupt
mi nah drop down mi faith
He will not lose faith under any circumstances
babylon crise betta siddung and wait
Babylon is in crisis and should sit down and wait for change
cah mi wholla sekkle and mi just keep mi straight
He will keep himself composed and upright without faltering
yuh reach likkle bit too late
Those who didn't support the movement have missed their chance
Contributed by Mia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bigfoot43
i love his singing voice
KEV NATURAL
Another big one from Alborosie always giving us positive reggae music..give thanks!
Daniel Robinson
What an awesome song. True artist big up
joseph beten
Nice song love it
jordan lewis
this year will be good for my music collection! new RoS album, new While She Sleeps album, new Black Label Society album new Epica album and a new alborosie album! :D
Simone Boccacci
RESPECT AND LOVE...ONE SOUND
Denzel van Lent
A reggae train is coming!
Adriano Mariani
big up Albo !!!! respect ggod vibe's
rootstof 76
yéé faya!! good vibe's big up
Andrea D'Ambrosi
One of the best! :D <3