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
This Train
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was just a kid,
My mama used to sing a song.
now I've grown to be a man
Well it lingers deep within my soul
Lingers deep within my soul.
Talking about, this train is bound to glory(this train).
This train it is bound to glory,
This train it don't carry no unholy.
(This train)yeah,yeah(this train).
(uh-uh-uh,uh-uh-uh,uh-uh-uh)!!!
Now I´m a man,
I remember my mama´s song,
And the felling that it gives still lingers deep within my soul
Lingers deep within my soul.
I´m talking about my mama's song,
is bound to glory(this train),
This train is bound to glory(this train),
This train is bound to glory(ohhhh)
This train it don't carry no unholy,
This train,uhh yeah!!!
(this train)
(this train)I´m leaving on a mornig train,
(this train)The evening train will be too late!
(this train)Leaving on a mornig train,
(this train)The evening train will be too late!
(this train)Talking about..
(this train)...the song my mama used to sing!
(this train)
(uh-uh-uh)....
The lyrics of Bob Marley & The Wailers's song This Train are about a childhood memory of the singer. He remembers his mother singing this song when he was a kid, and even though he is now a grown man, the song still lingers deep within his soul. The train represents a journey towards glory, which is a common theme in African American spiritual songs. The refrain "This train is bound to glory" is repeated several times, emphasizing the positive message of the song.
The train ride symbolizes a spiritual journey towards a better life and freedom. The lyrics suggest that this train doesn't carry any "unholy" people, meaning that only the righteous and the worthy are allowed aboard. The train represents the hope of a brighter future for people who have suffered under oppression and slavery. The song's upbeat tempo and energetic chorus suggest that the journey towards glory is full of excitement and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a kid,
As a child, I heard this song from my mother.
My mama used to sing a song.
My mother sang this song to me.
now I've grown to be a man
As an adult, my feelings towards this song remain strong.
Well it lingers deep within my soul
This song has left a lasting impact on me.
Lingers deep within my soul.
The memory of this song continues to resonate with me.
Talking about, this train is bound to glory(this train).
The song is about a train that is destined for paradise.
This train is bound to glory(this train).
This train is heading for a heavenly destination.
This train it is bound to glory,
This train is on its way to heaven.
This train it don't carry no unholy.
This train is reserved for righteous and pure souls only.
(This train)yeah,yeah(this train).
This train embodies hope and salvation.
(uh-uh-uh,uh-uh-uh,uh-uh-uh)!!!
This is a jubilant and celebratory song.
I remember my mama´s song,
I still recall the song my mother sang to me.
This train is bound to glory(this train),
This train is headed for eternal glory and salvation.
This train it don't carry no unholy,
Only the pure and righteous are allowed to board this train.
This train,uhh yeah!!!
This train is a symbol of hope and faith.
(this train)
The train represents a journey towards a better place.
(this train)I´m leaving on a mornig train,
I am eagerly starting my journey to a better place.
(this train)The evening train will be too late!
Only those who embark on this journey with haste will reach their destination.
(this train)Talking about..
Continuing to sing and celebrate the journey towards salvation.
(this train)...the song my mama used to sing!
Reiterating the importance and impact of the song that was passed down through generations.
(uh-uh-uh)...
An expression of joy and spirited celebration.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NickKrajncAM
Awesome thing is that the chorus “this train” aims to make te sound of a train’s horn. Beautiful!
@pastykrump
When i was just a kid, my mummy used to sing this song, now i've grown to be a man, well it lingers deep within my soul, lingers deep within my soul. (Talkin about), this train is bound to glory, this train. This train is bound to glory, this train. This train is bound to glory, this train don't carry no unholy, this train.
@fanueltm1
Real bound to glory....
@josephgurure5656
Amen Thanks my brethrens for sharing this good work from the great man Bob.
@anniedeeter9814
God loves you and that is all you need. Hallelujah!
@leocarvalheiraable
Wonderful!
@youngsteelva703allday5
good vibes
@rxh1013
Great keys
@kwetzered
rocksteady !!!
@jtpinnyc
Thiiiiiiis traaaaaaaain