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
So Jah Seh
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
And beg your bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
"And verily, verily, I'm saying unto thee 'I
Inite oneself and love Imanity'"
Cause puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with you my brother?
So Jah seh
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well"
So Jah seh yeah!
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well," yeah!
And down here in the ghetto
And down here we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
For so Jah seh, yeah!
"I'm gone to prepare a place
That where I am thou shall abide," yeah!
So Jah seh
"Fear not for mighty dread
Cause I'll be there at your side"
And, and down there down there in the ghetto
And down there we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
So Jah seh
In these lyrics, Bob Marley is referring to the belief that God (Jah) has promised to provide for his people (his seeds). Jah promises that none of his seeds will be reduced to begging on the sidewalk for bread. Marley emphasizes this point twice in the lyrics "No, they can't and you know that they won't!" This is a powerful message of hope and promises a future where suffering and poverty will not exist.
Marley goes on to express the idea that everyone should love one another, just like puss and dog, who can get together and live in harmony despite their differences. He is encouraging his listeners to come together despite their differences and love each other. Marley then states that Jah considers us his sheep and that he will provide for us. These lyrics are intended to provide comfort to those who are suffering.
Finally, Marley refers to the idea of an afterlife where Jah is preparing a place for his people. He encourages his listeners to not be afraid, for Jah will be with them. This is an uplifting message of hope and resilience that encourages people to keep going despite their hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
So Jah seh
As Jah, the supreme being, has decreed
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
Jah will not allow any of his children to go hungry or suffer in poverty
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg your bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
Jah will not allow any of his children to become dependent on others or resort to begging
"And verily, verily, I'm saying unto thee 'I
Inite oneself and love Imanity'"
Cause puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with you my brother?
Jah encourages humans to unite and love one another, just as animals of different species do in nature
So Jah seh
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well"
So Jah seh yeah!
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well," yeah!
Jah considers his followers as his beloved sheep, and promises to take care of them and keep them safe
And down here in the ghetto
And down here we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
Even though the people in the ghetto are suffering, they remain strong and resilient, refusing to give up
For so Jah seh, yeah!
"I'm gone to prepare a place
That where I am thou shall abide," yeah!
Jah promises to prepare a place for his followers to be with him forever
So Jah seh
"Fear not for mighty dread
Cause I'll be there at your side"
Jah assures his followers that they should not be afraid of anything, because he will always be there for them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Willy Francisco, Rita Anderson Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christianherzog76
Much love from Brasil 🙏🇧🇷
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg your bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
"And verily, verily, I'm saying unto thee 'I
Inite oneself and love Imanity'"
Cause puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with you my brother?
So Jah seh
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well"
So Jah seh yeah!
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well, " yeah!
And down here in the ghetto
And down here we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
For so Jah seh, yeah!
"I'm gone to prepare a place
That where I am thou shall abide, " yeah!
So Jah seh
"Fear not for mighty dread
Cause I'll be there at your side"
And, and down there down there in the ghetto
And down there we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
So Jah seh
@Random-sf9ly
Xxxtentacion is named after this song Jahseh and my son is named after xxxtentacion. So Thank you Mr. Marley for making this song.
@autumnk.buntion8869
I named my son after him, too. 💖
@luxorra2727
Did not know that.
@scumanthaa
i almost named my son after him too 😫
@thalleshenrique8169
Yeeeees ❤🍀
@tameikam4622
Although X was named after this song I would name my son Jahseh too but because of the song
@geeropes
Classic reggae is a chant against oppression and injustice, and a call for God's intervention in our affairs. It is a chant essential for survival.
@christianherzog76
Much love from Brasil 🙏🇧🇷
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
So Jah seh
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg your bread"
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
"And verily, verily, I'm saying unto thee 'I
Inite oneself and love Imanity'"
Cause puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together
What's wrong with you my brother?
So Jah seh
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well"
So Jah seh yeah!
"Ye are the sheep of my pasture
So verily, thou shall be very well, " yeah!
And down here in the ghetto
And down here we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
For so Jah seh, yeah!
"I'm gone to prepare a place
That where I am thou shall abide, " yeah!
So Jah seh
"Fear not for mighty dread
Cause I'll be there at your side"
And, and down there down there in the ghetto
And down there we suffer
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
But I'n'I a-hang on in there
And I'n'I, I naw leggo
So Jah seh
@DOS-mn6jf
Thanks my brother ✌
@Zulu369
It's a slight adaptation of "So Jah Said".
A phrase commonly used in religious scriptures to quote the God being worshiped.
Here the name of the Rastafarian's God is "Jah".
You would also read somewhere: "Thus Spoke Zarathustra".