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
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
Wings of a Dove
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
Oh, since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing,
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing,
If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing, sing
If I had the wings of a dove, imagine me
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And I would be at rest
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
Oh, since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing,
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing,
If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing
Since I have no wings, since
I have no wings, since I have no wings
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing, sing
If I had the wings of a dove, imagine me
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And I would be at rest
The lyrics of Bob Marley's "Wings Of A Dove" symbolize the desire for freedom from the troubles and problems of life. The song starts with an upbeat rhythm, as the singer wishes to have the wings of a dove to fly away and find peace. The dove represents freedom, and the singer wants to escape from the constraints of their current life.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer does not have the wings of a dove but has an alternative form of escape: music. Singing is the only way that the singer can find respite from their troubles. The song emphasizes the power of music to help people cope with their difficulties and find comfort in their struggles.
Overall, "Wings Of A Dove" portrays the importance of finding inner peace in the midst of a chaotic world. It teaches that where one cannot find physical freedom, there is always an alternative way to find solace.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had the wings of a dove
If only I could fly away like a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
I would take flight and soar through the skies without any worries
And be at rest
I would find peace and tranquility away from my troubles
Oh, since I have no wings, since I have no wings, since I have no wings
Unfortunately, I am not blessed with the ability to fly like a bird
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing
But I still have my voice, so I will use it to express myself
If I had the wings of a dove
Once again, thinking about how wonderful it would be to fly away
I'm gonna sing, sing, sing, sing
And I will keep singing, even though I cannot fly
If I had the wings of a dove, imagine me
Just picturing myself soaring high in the sky with a bird's eye view
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@goffyg9477
If I had the wings like a dove
If I had the wings like a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
If I had the wings like a dove
If I had the wings like a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
Since I have no wings, since I have no wings
Since I have no wings, I cannot fly, fly, fly
Since I have no wings, since I have no wings
Since I have no wings, I have to sing, sing, sing, sing
If I had the wings like a dove
If I had the wings like a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
(..)
Since I have no wings, since I have no wings
Since I have no wings, I cannot fly, fly, fly
Since I have no wings, since I have no wings
Since I have no wings, I have to sing, sing, sing, sing
If I had the wings like a dove
If I had the wings like a dove
I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest
Fly away and be at rest
@Chiefmusicianette
I"m an elementary school music substitue teacher, and i've taught this to all the grades, Kindergarten through 5th grade...they love it, and they also have a clave rhythm routine they perform while they sing this Kings music! God Bless all the Marley fans!
@paracleteconsult8677
Bless up.
@liamthecrusader5056
Sorry for late reply but at what school did you teach in?
@JJShalashaska
respect to you, Ms Helen Holder!
@balestra-fe5qc
There was a mysterious band who sent a demo tape to the Bell in Bath once, featuring this song. There were some other, fruitier songs, too, and we very much wanted to book them. The problem was that there wasn't an address (still a thing back then) or phone number.
@milkogerards7452
My first Marley song at 4 years old still love Bob
@stephenvelez9710
Lynne Brille brought me here❤️🙏🏼
@nattycostantino8460
Uscendo dal Mausoleo di Bob, cantando questo pezzo,per mde allora sconosciuto...One Love!!!
@teletubetodd
I first heard this in Alan Arkin's 1969 short film "People Soup," when his son Matthew sang it while biking home at the beginning. I was struck by how much it sounded like "Over the Rainbow" and Cat Stevens' "Moonshadow." It's truly one of Bob Marley's best; too bad it didn't become one of his major hits. Thanks for posting it. Rest in peace, Bob.
@danielpinto2430
Excelente entre los grandes por siempre una leyenda 🙏🤗😍