Starting out in 1963 with the group Bob Marley & The Wailers, he forged a distinctive song-writing and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.
After The Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which established his worldwide reputation and became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million albums and singles.
Bob Marley was a member of this Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became the leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene.
Now considered a "Rasta" prophet, Marley's adoption of the characteristic Rastafarian dreadlocks and famous use of marijuana as a sacred sacrament in the late sixties were an integral part of his persona. He is said to have entered every performance proclaiming the divinity of Jah Rastafari.
A few months before his death, Marley was baptised into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and took the name Berhane Selassie (meaning the Light of the Holy Trinity in Amharic).
His best known songs are a mixture of reggae, Roots Reggae, and rhythm and blues, which include:
I Shot the Sheriff
Exodus
Could You Be Loved
Redemption Song
No Woman, No Cry
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Is This Love
One Love
Stir It Up
Jammin'
Get Up, Stand Up
His posthumous album Legend (1984) became the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 12 million copies.
Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994; in December 1999, his album “Exodus” (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC.
Awards and Honors:
1976 - Rolling Stone Magazine's "Band of the Year"
1978 - United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World
1981 - Jamaican Order of Merit
1994 - The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
1999 - Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century
2001 - Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2001- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (#11)
2006 - The United Kingdom's "Blue Plaque"
2006 - Bob Marley Boulevard named in Brooklyn, New York
2010 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame (Catch A Fire)
2012 - August the 7th, proclamed Bob Marley Day (Los Angeles)
2013 - GRAMMY Tribute Performance
Marley tragically died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981.
Religion:
Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, (not rastafaranism as that is seen as a derogortory term as Rasta's don't like being refered to as an ism) whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae music in Jamaica. Rastas belive they are outcast from their native Zion and looked on Ethiopia as their real home and Tafarai Makonnen, who took the title Haile Sellasie I(Power of the Holy Trinity in Amharic), after he became the emperor of Ethiopia, as their leader. Rastas belive H.I.M. is Jesus in flesh. Rastas are considered to be black Jews.
Rastas claim their root from King Solomon and Abbysinian queen of Sheba, through lineage of their son Menelik, emperor of Abbysinia. H.I.M. is said to be a direct decendant of Menelik. 'Ras' means Head and 'Tafarai" means Creator. 'Jah' is the shortened form of the Hebrew word Jehovah. Rastas belive in one truth and that is the truth of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie I, King of kings, Lord of lords, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, two hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of the three thousand year old Ethiopian empire, elect of Jah, Light of the world. Jah Rastafari live out. Rastas preach a non-materialistic, egalitarian way of life. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Bob Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica on November 4, 1980.
Diet:
Marley's diet was ital; fruit, vegetables and fish; which is food approved by the Rastafari movement.
Family:
Bob Marley had 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.
His children are, in order of birth:
Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963, to Cheryl Murray;
Sharon, born November 23, 1964, to Rita in previous relationship;
Cedella born August 23, 1967, to Rita;
David "Ziggy Marley", born October 17, 1968, to Rita;
Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, to Rita;
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972, to Pat Williams;
Rohan, born May 19, 1972, to Janet Hunt;
Karen, born 1973 to Janet Bowen;
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974; according to Cedella Booker she was the daughter of Rita and a man called Ital with whom Rita had an affair; nonetheless she was acknowledged as Bob's daughter;
Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975, to Lucy Pounder;
Ky-Mani Marley, born February 26, 1976, to Anita Belnavis;
Damian Marley, born July 21, 1978, to Cindy Breakspeare;
Makeda, born May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton.
See here for comedian Bob Marley the comedian: Comedian Bob Marley
Hallelujah Time
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know they cry not in vain
Now the times are changin'
Love has come to bloom again
Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
Reminds us of youthful days
But now it's not rain that water the cane crops
The substance from our spine
We gotta keep on living, living on borrowed time
Hallelujah time!
Yes, you can hear the children singing, Hallelujah time!
As they go singing by and by, Hallelujah time!
Oh, "hallelujah" singing in the morning
Hallelujah time! let them sing, don't let them cry
Over rocks and mountains
The sheep are scattered all around
Over hills and valleys
They're everywhere to be found
But though we bear our burdens now
All afflictions got to end somehow
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough
Why won't you let us be, to live in harmony?
We like to be free like birds in a tree
Hallelujah time! yes, you can hear the children singing
Hallelujah time! yes, as they go singing by and by
Hallelujah time! oh "hallelujah" singing in the morning
Hallelujah time! let them sing, never let them cry
Hallelujah time! "Hallelujah" singin' in the morning
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Hallelujah Time" is a contemplation of the changing times and the struggles that come with it. The song begins with the heart-rending cries of children, which the singer believes to not be in vain. He suggests that the times are changing, and love is slowly beginning to bloom again. The change in environment and weather is brought upon, and it reminds the singer of youthful days, but the singer highlights the more mundane realities of life, such as how it's not rain that waters the cane crops, but the sweat from man's brow, or the substance from their spine. The chorus then erupts, and children can be heard singing "Hallelujah Time," signifying that they are appreciating the vibrancy that is starting to sprout around them despite emotional adversity.
The second verse is relatively somber, with the singer observing that sheep are scattered all around over rocks and mountains, and they are everywhere to be found. Despite this, the singer mentions bearing burdens and doing tasks, which will eventually come to an end. The final line expresses how living in harmony is what we want, and we want to be free like birds in a tree. The chorus then repeats, and children sing "Hallelujah Time" again, indicating that they want to enjoy life and to never stop singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the children cryin',
We hear the distressed cries of the children
But I know they cry not in vain.
Their cries do not go unheard and will eventually be addressed
Now the times are changin';
This is an era of transformation
Love has come to bloom again.
Love and compassion are beginning to flourish once more
Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
The scent of raindrops in the air during springtime
Reminds us of youthful days.
Brings to mind the memories of our youth
But now it's not rain that water the cane crops,
The crops are no longer watered by natural rain
But the sweat from man's brow;
Instead, it's the hard work and effort of the laborers
The substance from our spine.
Our physical labor and toil come from deep within us
We gotta keep on living, living on borrowed time:
We must continue to live, knowing that our time is limited
Hallelujah time!
It is time to rejoice and celebrate
Yes, you can hear the children singing: hallelujah time!
The children are singing joyfully about this time of celebration
As they go singing by and by: hallelujah time!
Their singing will continue on and on
Over rocks and mountains
Through difficult terrain
The sheep are scattered all around.
People are spread out far and wide
But though we bear our burdens now,
We are currently struggling with challenges
All afflictions got to end somehow:
However, all struggles must come to an end eventually
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough.
These struggles may come from physical labor and work
Why won't you let us be, to live in harmony?
Why can't we live in peace and harmony?
We like to be free like birds in a tree.
We aspire to be free and unrestricted, like birds in the sky
Let them sing; don't let them cry.
Allow the children to sing joyfully, rather than cry in sadness
Hallelujah time! "hallelujah" singin' in the morning.
This is truly a time for celebration and gratitude
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEVILLE O'RILEY LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Primera Calle de la Soledad
Hear the children crying
But I know they cry not in vain
Now the times are changing
Love has come to bloom again
Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
Reminds us of youthful days
But now it's not rain that water the cane crops
But the sweat from man's brow
The substance from our spine
We got to keep on living, living on borrowed time
[Chorus]
Hallelujah time
Yes, you can hear the children singing
Hallelujah time
As they go singing by and by
Hallelujah time
Oh, "hallelujah" singing in the morning
Hallelujah time
Let them sing, don't let them cry
[Verse 2]
Over rocks and mountains
The sheep are scattered all around
Over hills and valleys
They are everywhere to be found
But though we bear our burdens now
All afflictions got to end somehow
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough
Why won't you let us be, to live in harmony
We like to be free like birds in a tree
[Chorus]
Uncle Nesta
Hear the children crying
But I know they cry not in vain
Now the times are changing
Love has come to bloom again
Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
Reminds us of youthful days
But now it's not rain that water the cane crops
But the sweat from man's brow
The substance from our spine
We got to keep on living, living on borrowed time
[Chorus]
Hallelujah time
Yes, you can hear the children singing
Hallelujah time
As they go singing by and by
Hallelujah time
Oh, "hallelujah" singing in the morning
Hallelujah time
Let them sing, don't let them cry
[Verse 2]
Over rocks and mountains
The sheep are scattered all around
Over hills and valleys
They are everywhere to be found
But though we bear our burdens now
All afflictions got to end somehow
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough
Why won't you let us be, to live in harmony
We like to be free like birds in a tree
Primera Calle de la Soledad
Hear the children crying
But I know they cry not in vain
Now the times are changing
Love has come to bloom again
Smelling the air when spring comes by raindrops
Reminds us of youthful days
But now it's not rain that water the cane crops
But the sweat from man's brow
The substance from our spine
We got to keep on living, living on borrowed time
[Chorus]
Hallelujah time
Yes, you can hear the children singing
Hallelujah time
As they go singing by and by
Hallelujah time
Oh, "hallelujah" singing in the morning
Hallelujah time
Let them sing, don't let them cry
[Verse 2]
Over rocks and mountains
The sheep are scattered all around
Over hills and valleys
They are everywhere to be found
But though we bear our burdens now
All afflictions got to end somehow
From swinging the hammer, pulling the plough
Why won't you let us be, to live in harmony
We like to be free like birds in a tree
[Chorus]
The Ascensionaires Club
Thank you so very much!
Ra-Hotep
@The Ascensionaires Club such beautiful words from the beautiful voice of Jah B
Joe Riverman
Written and sing by Bunny Wailer. Such a great tune. Hear Bob's voice in the backing vocal harmonies. Great band. <3
Douglas S.S
HughieDixon Great information. Thank's.
Rachael T Rocca
HughieDixon ❤️👌🏼🕊🙏🏼👍🏽
nohayamor
song was written by judy mowatt,one of the ithrees,with pen name of jean watt
Written By Raymildo
The song was originally written by Judy Mowatt. Late "Tyrone Downie" had played on the keyboards ❤️
Joe Riverman
@Written By Raymildo
Ah cool thanks 🙏🏻
Vincent T.
This entire album is such a joy to listen to, a blessing really.