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
Reincarnated Soul
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living on earth, heat, air and water (in this time)
We are reincarnated souls (from that time)
Living on earth, heat, air and water (in this time)
In the beginning was the word
And the word manifested itself in the flesh
Which even become man
Man being lower than the angels
Over all Earth was as he given dominion
He devised his own destruction
But the word lives on and on
Who is weary
Let him come hither
He who has eyes to see
Let him look yonder
All who is thirsty
Let them drink clear water
(Drink water)
(Drink water)
We are reincarnated souls (from that time)
And we are living on earth, heat, air and water (in this time)
We are reincarnated souls (from that time)
And we are living on earth, heat, air and water (in this time)
Nothing is new
Under the sun
All has been here
Since time begun
And with all the years we?ve spent
(Only changing names)
(Protect the innocent)
Like a seed that is planted by the water
Appear to die before new birth
Changing its form to another
Taking on a structure just as the first
(He who is weary)
Let him come hither
Oh-oh
(He who has eyes to see)
(Let him look yonder)
(All who are thirsty)
Let them drink clear water
(Drink water)
(Drink water)
The lyrics of "Reincarnated Souls" by Bob Marley & The Wailers speak about the concept of reincarnation and the cycle of life. The song starts with the statement that we are all reincarnated souls from a past time, and we are currently living on earth with all its elements like heat, air, and water. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the song as it explores the idea of how everything comes full circle.
The lyrics refer to the beginning of time when the word manifested itself into the flesh, and man evolved from that to become the dominant being on earth, given control over everything. However, humans caused their own destruction with their actions, but the word (God's plan) lives on. The song encourages the listener to seek a higher purpose in life, to look beyond what they see with their eyes and to quench their thirst with clear water.
The lyrics emphasize that there is nothing new under the sun; the world has been here since the beginning of time, and everything is just changing shapes and names over the years, protecting the innocent. The cycle of life is compared to a seed that appears to die before being reborn as something new and taking on a structure as the first, or in other words, everything has a beginning and an end, but the essence remains constant, only changing its form.
Overall, the song "Reincarnated Souls" by Bob Marley & The Wailers promotes the message of life's continuity, how everything is interconnected and cyclical. It invites the listener to embrace the idea of rebirth, the constant renewal that exists in nature, and encourages them to seek a higher purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
We are reincarnated souls (from that time)
We all have a past life and have returned to this world through reincarnation
Living on earth, heat, air and water (in this time)
We are now living in the present, experiencing life through the natural elements of earth
In the beginning was the word
The creation of life was through a greater force or being that started with a mere spoken word
And the word manifested itself in the flesh
The divine plan allowed the spoken word to become part of human form
Which even become man
Through divine intervention, the word embodied and became human form
(All because of the divine plan)
The manifestation of the word in human form was part of a higher power's plan
Man being lower than the angels
Humans are inferior to celestial beings
Over all Earth was as he given dominion
Humans have been given authority over the Earth
He devised his own destruction
Humans have the capability to ruin their own existence
But the word lives on and on
Although humans may destroy themselves, the divine word will continue to exist forever
(Who is weary)
A call out to those who are tired or in need of a break
Let him come hither
Come here and be satisfied, refreshed, or replenished
(He who has eyes to see)
A call out to those who are observant or perceptive
(Let him look yonder)
Encouragement to explore or examine something beyond what is immediately visible
(All who is thirsty)
Appeal to anyone who has a desire, longing or craving
Let them drink clear water
Take in what is pure, clean and refreshing
(Drink water)
Repeat to emphasize the message
Nothing is new
Everything has already occurred or existed
Under the sun
In this world or lifetime
All has been here
Everything has already come into existence at some point in time
Since time begun
Since the inception of time
And with all the years we've spent
Reflecting on the years gone by
(Only changing names)
Things remain the same despite the constant renaming of things
(Protect the innocent)
Preserving the safety of those who are vulnerable or defenseless
Like a seed that is planted by the water
Similar to how a seed grows when watered
Appear to die before new birth
Seemingly lifeless before sprouting to new life
Changing its form to another
Transforming into a different form through the process of birth and growth
Taking on a structure just as the first
Developing into a form similar to the first one that existed
(He who is weary)
Repeated call out to those who are tired or in need of support
Let him come hither
An appeal to come closer for needed rest or replenishment
Oh-oh
An exclamation to express a realization or acknowledgement
(He who has eyes to see)
Repeated call out to those who are perceptive or aware
(Let him look yonder)
Re-emphasize the message to look beyond what is visible
(All who are thirsty)
Repeated call out to anyone who has a desire or craving
Let them drink clear water
Repeated call to take in something pure, clean and refreshing
(Drink water)
Final emphasis on the importance of drinking clear water
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: NEVILLE LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@narmeenyudingdong5975
This song is the only hymn I would ever pray on. Blessings upon Neville Livingstone, you carry the souls of your ancestors with you, and your words live on and on. Thanks and praises.
@smuleplayz
The wailers with Tosh, Marley, and Wailer was the peak. They made such beautiful songs but the internal conflict was too much
@basaltdave
One of Bunnys best...
@ryanenglish964
Rest In heaven Bunny 2021 is a bad year
@johnkanai4106
Drink Water, Drink Water...
PURE DELIGHT
@hesgotamotor8288
One of Bunny's great performances, wailers Mon, seen, greatest band of alllllllll time
@shieldoffaith3574
The word manifest itself in the flesh 🔥👏
@selimyucel8573
This Song is crazy.Cant stop dancing.
@markLyonesse
Beautiful truth set in the church of music
@ReggaeMusicisForYou
We are reincarnated souls 🔥🔥