Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

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

Jah Is Might
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone (words of wisdom)
The stone that the builder refuse (crying in the windy day)
Will always be the head cornerstone (saying)

Forsake not your brother (forsake not my brother)
Just try and help each other (just help each other)
Behold, Jah is mighty (Jah is mighty)

Yet he sit with the highly, sit with the lowly, sit with the highly, sits with the lowly

Say the, stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
(The stone that the builder refuse) Coming from the wise man
(Will always be the head cornerstone)It's words of wisdom

Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh

One more thing,
Though I've been with you so long
(Been with you so long)
I'm still a stranger in your land (stranger in your land)
That's why, you prosecute I
But Jah sit with the highly, and he sit with the lowly
He sit with the lowly, he sit with the highly

Oooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah,
Hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold Jah is mighty
[Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah

Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah ooh

Overall Meaning

The song "Jah Is Mighty" by Bob Marley and The Wailers is a powerful declaration of the might and strength of Jah, the Rastafari name for God. The song speaks to the idea that the rejected or marginalized people in society are often the ones who end up becoming the most important and influential. This is reflected in the opening lines of the song: "The stone that the builder refuse/Will always be the head cornerstone". This is an allusion to Psalm 118:22 in the Bible, which reads "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone", and is interpreted in Rastafarianism to mean that those who are rejected and oppressed by society will ultimately triumph and become leaders.

The second verse speaks to the value of community and helping each other. It encourages people to not forsake their brothers and sisters and to work together to lift each other up. The chorus repeats the idea that Jah is mighty, and that he sits with both the highly esteemed and the lowly. This is reflective of the Rastafarian belief in the equality of all people before God, regardless of social or economic status.

The final verse speaks to the idea of persecution and alienation, which have been common experiences for Rastafarians in Jamaica and beyond. Despite this, the song declares that Jah is still present and powerful, and that he sits with both the marginalized and the powerful. The repeated calls of "hallelujah" at the end of the song express a sense of joy and celebration in the belief in Jah's power and presence.

Line by Line Meaning

The stone that the builder refuse
Even if someone is rejected by society or dismissed as unimportant, they still have the potential to become something great.

Will always be the head cornerstone
This person who was rejected will become a guiding force or leader for others, even if they were once overlooked and undervalued.

Forsake not your brother
Don't abandon or turn away from your fellow human beings, especially those who need help or support.

Just try and help each other
Instead of focusing on ourselves, we should make an effort to assist and uplift others around us.

Behold, Jah is mighty
God is all-powerful and awe-inspiring, and we should respect and honor this divine force.

Yet he sit with the highly, sit with the lowly, sit with the highly, sits with the lowly
God is present and attentive to all people, regardless of their status, wealth, or social position. He treats all people equally.

Though I've been with you so long
Even if we've known each other for a long time, there can still be a sense of disconnect or misunderstanding between us.

I'm still a stranger in your land
Despite our familiarity, there may be cultural or social barriers that prevent us from truly understanding and connecting with each other.

That's why, you prosecute I
Because of these differences, some people may mistreat or discriminate against others, simply because they are not part of their own community or culture.

But Jah sit with the highly, and he sit with the lowly
Again, God is present and supportive to everyone, regardless of their social standing or background.

Oooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, Hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
This repeated refrain expresses a sense of joy, gratitude, and praise for God's power and inclusivity.

Behold Jah is mighty
Again, this line emphasizes the awesomeness and importance of God in our lives.

Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah Behold Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah Behold Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah ooh
Here, the singer invites us to join in the chorus of praise and acknowledgment for God's greatness.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Soldier4Life_PR 🇵🇷

6y↑1

Hoy me levante con el coro d esta cancion en la cabeza escuchando a Bob Marley cuando dice "Behoooold Jah is Mighty!!!" palabras dichas por Job en (Job 36:5-6 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.. en español: He aquí que Dios es grande, pero no desestima a nadie; Es poderoso en fuerza de sabiduría. No otorgará vida al impío, Pero a los afligidos dará su derecho.)

Esto no es cualquier musica sin sentido.. ES PALABRA DE DIOS refiriendose a Jesucristo como la Piedra angular, el Fundamento.. (Salmos118:22-26 La piedra que desecharon los edificadores
Ha venido a ser cabeza del ángulo.
(Psalms118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.)
Aqui las liricas de la cancion.
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone (words of wisdom)
The stone that the builder refuse (crying in the windy day)
Will always be the head cornerstone (saying)

Forsake not your brother (forsake not my brother)
Just try and help each other (just help each other)
Behold, Jah is mighty (Jah is mighty)
Yet he sit with the highly, sit with the lowly, sit with the highly, sits with the lowly

Say the, stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
(The stone that the builder refuse) Coming from the wise man
(Will always be the head cornerstone)It's words of wisdom

Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh

One more thing
Though I've been with you so long
(Been with you so long)
I'm still a stranger in your land (stranger in your land)
That's why, you prosecute I
But Jah sit with the highly, and he sit with the lowly
He sit with the lowly, he sit with the highly

Oooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah
Hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold Jah is mighty
[Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah ooh

All comments from YouTube:

GratefulDead23

2y↑2

When I hear this song I get such a feeling of love. A deep love that tingles my skin and rattles my spine. My friends I must say every time by the end of this song I can almost see it. Standing in a Garden of Eden watching the sun rise over a new creation we’re all holding hands praising and singing out to JEHOVAH
ooh hallelujah hallelu hallelu hallelujah….
Praise JAH with you whole heart and soul