Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to t… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to that The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and The Teenagers) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Hubert Winston McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston).

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)

Jah Is Mighty
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone (words of wisdom)
The stone that the builder refuse (crying in the windy day)
Will always be the head cornerstone (saying)

Forsake not your brother (forsake not my brother)
Just try and help each other (just help each other)
Behold, Jah is mighty (Jah is mighty)

Yet he sit with the highly, sit with the lowly, sit with the highly, sits with the lowly

Say the, stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
(The stone that the builder refuse) Coming from the wise man
(Will always be the head cornerstone)It's words of wisdom

Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh

One more thing,
Though I've been with you so long
(Been with you so long)
I'm still a stranger in your land (stranger in your land)
That's why, you prosecute I
But Jah sit with the highly, and he sit with the lowly
He sit with the lowly, he sit with the highly

Oooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah,
Hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold Jah is mighty
[Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah

Behold
Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah ooh

Overall Meaning

The song "Jah Is Mighty" by Bob Marley and The Wailers is a powerful declaration of the might and strength of Jah, the Rastafari name for God. The song speaks to the idea that the rejected or marginalized people in society are often the ones who end up becoming the most important and influential. This is reflected in the opening lines of the song: "The stone that the builder refuse/Will always be the head cornerstone". This is an allusion to Psalm 118:22 in the Bible, which reads "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone", and is interpreted in Rastafarianism to mean that those who are rejected and oppressed by society will ultimately triumph and become leaders.

The second verse speaks to the value of community and helping each other. It encourages people to not forsake their brothers and sisters and to work together to lift each other up. The chorus repeats the idea that Jah is mighty, and that he sits with both the highly esteemed and the lowly. This is reflective of the Rastafarian belief in the equality of all people before God, regardless of social or economic status.

The final verse speaks to the idea of persecution and alienation, which have been common experiences for Rastafarians in Jamaica and beyond. Despite this, the song declares that Jah is still present and powerful, and that he sits with both the marginalized and the powerful. The repeated calls of "hallelujah" at the end of the song express a sense of joy and celebration in the belief in Jah's power and presence.

Line by Line Meaning

The stone that the builder refuse
Even if someone is rejected by society or dismissed as unimportant, they still have the potential to become something great.

Will always be the head cornerstone
This person who was rejected will become a guiding force or leader for others, even if they were once overlooked and undervalued.

Forsake not your brother
Don't abandon or turn away from your fellow human beings, especially those who need help or support.

Just try and help each other
Instead of focusing on ourselves, we should make an effort to assist and uplift others around us.

Behold, Jah is mighty
God is all-powerful and awe-inspiring, and we should respect and honor this divine force.

Yet he sit with the highly, sit with the lowly, sit with the highly, sits with the lowly
God is present and attentive to all people, regardless of their status, wealth, or social position. He treats all people equally.

Though I've been with you so long
Even if we've known each other for a long time, there can still be a sense of disconnect or misunderstanding between us.

I'm still a stranger in your land
Despite our familiarity, there may be cultural or social barriers that prevent us from truly understanding and connecting with each other.

That's why, you prosecute I
Because of these differences, some people may mistreat or discriminate against others, simply because they are not part of their own community or culture.

But Jah sit with the highly, and he sit with the lowly
Again, God is present and supportive to everyone, regardless of their social standing or background.

Oooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, Hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah, ooh hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah
This repeated refrain expresses a sense of joy, gratitude, and praise for God's power and inclusivity.

Behold Jah is mighty
Again, this line emphasizes the awesomeness and importance of God in our lives.

Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah Behold Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah Behold Ooh, hallelujah, hallelu-hallelu-hallelujah ooh
Here, the singer invites us to join in the chorus of praise and acknowledgment for God's greatness.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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