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)
Heathen
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
Rise up fallen fighters
Rise and take your stance again
'Tis he who fight and run away
With de heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
As a man sow, shall he reap
And I know that talk is cheap
But the hotter the battle
A the sweeter Jah victory
With the heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
Rise up, fallen fighters
Rise and take your stance again
'Tis he who fight and run away
Live to fight another day
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah, 'pon de wall!
De heathen back, yeah
"The Heathen" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a song that speaks to the importance of standing up against oppression and the power dynamics that govern society. The repetitive chorus of "De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!" serves as a call to action, urging those who may have fallen in their fight to rise again and take their stance. The use of the term "heathen" can be interpreted as referring to those who are considered outsiders or non-conformists, and suggests that they are not powerless but have the ability to challenge and disrupt the status quo.
The opening verse highlights the importance of perseverance and the need to live to fight another day. The lines "Rise up fallen fighters / Rise and take your stance again / 'Tis he who fight and run away / Live to fight another day" speak to the reality that sometimes retreat is necessary in order to regroup and continue the fight. The chorus appears to emphasize this point, using the repetition of the phrase "De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!" to create a sense of urgency and drive.
The following verse speaks to the idea of karma, in that an individual will reap what they sow. It is suggested that although talk may be cheap, it is in the midst of the greatest battles that victory is the sweetest. This line can be interpreted as a call to action, urging individuals to continue fighting against oppression and inequality even when the odds may seem stacked against them.
Overall, "The Heathen" is a call to action and a reminder that even when it may seem like the fight is hopeless, individuals have the power to challenge oppressive systems and create change.
Line by Line Meaning
De heathen back dey 'pon de wall!
The enemy is lurking nearby, preparing to attack.
Rise up fallen fighters
You may have lost a battle, but it's time to get back up and keep fighting.
Rise and take your stance again
Find your footing and be ready for the next battle.
'Tis he who fight and run away
It may seem cowardly, but sometimes retreating is the smart choice in order to fight again another day.
Live to fight another day
Surviving the battle is the most important thing in order to continue the fight for what you believe in.
As a man sow, shall he reap
You will reap what you sow, good or bad.
And I know that talk is cheap
Words are meaningless without action to back them up.
But the hotter the battle
The more difficult the challenge, the greater the reward.
A the sweeter Jah victory
The reward for persevering and overcoming obstacles is worth all the effort.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TestTest-ft9xh
"In this age of technological inhumanity
Scientific atrocity
Atomic misphilosophy
Nuclear misenergy
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
We got to survive, y'all!"
Prophet Bob Marley
@TestTest-ft9xh
"In this age of technological inhumanity
Scientific atrocity
Atomic misphilosophy
Nuclear misenergy
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
We got to survive, y'all!"
Prophet Bob Marley
@marloncang6594
2024 who's still here?
@lionelalland6876
POUR L ,ÉTERNELITE
@marleybloo1892
On repeat right now
@josetchiadi7606
🔥🔥😎😎✨✨
@Happyone-sx4ps
Always here, friend.❤
@stephanjoinvil5511
For LifeTimes
@michaelgray9356
Being a drummer, I have to say Carlton Barrett is one of my all-time favorites. No one talks about him, but he is laying down the wood.😎
@bigred3282
Couldn’t agree more, this is one of my favorite live recordings of the Wailers. And the way Carlton Barrett plays this song, it is truly a masterpiece.
@Boy_Gentle
Tell me about it. I sometimes listen to this song just to hear the drumming. Carlton is my favorite drummer; it seems like he’s sending a message of healing and encouragement with his style of drumming; so much grove, so much vibe. This is drumming at its best
@user-de8ux4vi7b
Carlton was old school ❤