During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.
They released four albums before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.
The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers
Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)
Corner Stone
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will always be the head cornerstone-a sing it brother
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
You're a builder, baby
Here I am, a stone
Don't you pick and refuse me
Are the things they should choose
Do you hear me?
Hear what I say!
Stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone-a tell me why
The stone that the builder refuse, yeah!
Will always be the head cornerstone
Here I am baby
I am, a builder's stone!
Don't you pick and refuse me, listen
The tings people refuse
Are the things they should use
Do you hear me
Hear what I say
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that dem builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone
that the builder rejects has a deeper philosophy that goes beyond just the literal interpretation of construction. The message behind the lyrics is that not everything that is rejected or seen as lesser has no value, and sometimes things that are not accepted have great potential and should be given a chance. This can be applied to people, ideas or cultures that often face discrimination or exclusion. In this sense, the message of the song is about acceptance and seeking the value in what others may overlook.
The repetition of the line "The stone that the builder refuse will always be the head cornerstone" emphasizes the importance of the message and the idea that the unjustly rejected will eventually rise to be the foundation or the most important part of something. Bob Marley also adds the line "Do you hear me? Hear what I say!" which implies that he is not just delivering a message but urging people to listen and act accordingly.
The use of the word "stone" as a symbol in the song is notable as well. In biblical times, stone was important in building and was viewed as a metaphorical symbol for salvation and strength. Bob Marley may have employed the use of the term to reflect the spiritual beliefs and cultural significance of his Rastafarian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
The stone that the builder refuse
The object rejected by those constructing something
Will always be the head cornerstone - a sing it brother
This rejected object will ultimately become the most important part of the final product
You're a builder, baby
Addressing those who have the power to include or exclude certain elements in a project
Here I am, a stone
The object being presented as an option for inclusion
Don't you pick and refuse me
Requesting to be given a fair chance
'Cause the things people refuse
Often times, rejected objects or ideas have potential
Are the things they should choose
Instead of rejecting these options without considering their value, they should be used
Do you hear me? Hear what I say!
Emphasizing the importance of this message
Here I am baby. I am, a builder's stone!
Reiterating that the object can add value to the project if given the chance
The tings people refuse
The objects or ideas rejected by others
Are the things they should use
These options should be reconsidered and implemented
Do you hear me. Hear what I say!
Another call to action to give rejected options a chance
The stone that the builder refuse
Once again emphasizing the importance of the rejected object
Will always be the head cornerstone
This rejected option will become the most important aspect of the final product
The stone that dem builder refuse
Using Jamaican patois to repeat the message
Will always be the head cornerstone
Reiterating the message one final time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Espantapájaros
The stone that the builder refuse
La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone, (sing it brother)
será siempre la piedra angular (cántalo, hermano).
The stone that the builder refuse
La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone
será siempre la piedra angular.
You're a builder, baby
Tú eres una constructora, nena,
Here I am, a stone
aquí estoy, soy una piedra.
Don't you think and refuse me
No pienses y me rechaces,
Cause the things people refuse
porque las cosas que la gente rechaza
Are the things they should use
son las cosas que deberían usar.
Do you hear me? Hear what I say
¿Me escuchas? Escucha lo que digo.
The stone that the builder refuse
La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone, (tell me why)
será siempre la piedra angular (dímelo, nena).
The stone that the builder refuse
La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone
será siempre la piedra angular.
Here I am baby
Aquí estoy, nena,
I'm a builder's stone
soy un constructor de piedras.
Don't you think and refuse me, listen
No pienses y me rechaces, escucha,
The things people refuse
las cosas que la gente rechaza
Are the things they should use
son las cosas que deberían usar.
Do you hear me? Hear what I say
¿Me escuchas?, escucha lo que digo.
(The stone that the builder refuse
(La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone)
será siempre la piedra angular)
(The stone that the builder refuse
(La piedra que el constructor rechaza
Will always be the head cornerstone)
será siempre la piedra angular)
The stone that the builder refuse (I can be soft as a pillow)
La piedra que el constructor rechaza (puedo ser suave como una almohada)
Will always be the head cornerstone (weep like a willow)
será siempre la piedra angular (llorar como un sauce).
The stone that the builder refuse (courage)
La piedra que el constructor rechaza (coraje)
Will always be the head cornerstone (brings happiness, don't refuse me)
será siempre la piedra angular (trae felicidad, no me rechaza).
The stone that the builder refuse (don't you refuse)
La piedra que el constructor rechaza (no rechaces)
Will always be the head cornerstone (don't you, don't you, don't you)
será siempre la piedra angular (no lo hagas, no lo hagas, no lo hagas).
Honii des Lysses
First time I heard this was the hotel room acoustic version from the Island box set, but this one is tops. Scratch and his magic capturing a young talent destined for greatness.
TheFraggleRockPothead
The foundation holds up the structure and the cornerstones hold up the foundation. Bob is a true cornerstone of music and righteousness.
Speak Life Shine Bright
Respect ✊🏾
Jo For
Respect🙌
Jo For
🤔☀️☀️؟
Anthony Gonzalez
Beautifully stated my friend
AlexJones wasRight!!
Uplifting to the soul.
Jhonny Total fire
Muito bom 👏👏🎸🎶🎤
rixhie
So soothing! Thank you Bob Marley😂😂🔥🔥
Zpunama FB
I did not know this song was written by bob marley after he was being rejected by his Father. just found out after watching MARLEY DOCO. "Now he is the real Marley" ONE LOVE, ONE HEART.