Man To Man
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


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Lift up your heads, O ye gates
And be ye lifted up, ye ever-livin' Black people
The King of glory shall come in

Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself

We've been sittin' in the dirt too long
And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong
But help me sing my song
Blackman arise

Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself right now
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself

For the moon shall turn into blood
And the rivers turn into flood
And the sun will never shine
Blackman arise

Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself

Remember we've been down here as slaves
And to get a little job you have to trim and shave
Your heaven becomes your grave Job
Blackman arise

Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself

For the time of rights is now
And you don't have to ask me how
You've got to make a move
Blackman arise

Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman arise
Arise and denote thyself

Every man on earth is a man
And every tub have to stand on its own bottom




No matter where you're from
Blackman arise

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Arise Black Man" by Bob Marley & Friends is a call to action for the black community to rise up from the oppression and discrimination they have been facing. Bob Marley calls upon the gates of heaven to lift up so that the eternal black people can come in. The lyrics "Arise Blackman arise" is a repeated chant that encourages people to recognize themselves and their worth. Bob Marley recognizes the struggle of the black community and acknowledges their inability to recognize their rights. The lyric "We've been sittin' in the dirt too long, And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong" implies the vulnerability of the black community and their inability to recognize their rights. Bob Marley encourages people to rise up and declare their rights, denoting themselves and their worth.


The lyrics implore people to rise up because they are about to witness a great change. The metaphorical language used in the lyrics, "For the moon shall turn into blood, And the rivers turn into flood" indicates an impending transformation that they need to be prepared for. The urgency in the lyrics is justified as Bob Marley recognizes the difficulties of living life as a black person. The lyrics "Remember we've been down here as slaves, And to get a little job you have to trim and shave Your heaven becomes your grave Job" shows how hard it is to break free from the societal norms and rise up to take a stand. The song ends with the declaration that everyone on earth is equal, and that every man must stand on their own feet, implying that everyone can overcome their struggles.


Line by Line Meaning

Lift up your heads, O ye gates
Prepare yourselves for something great or important that is about to happen


And be ye lifted up, ye ever-livin' Black people
Rise and become empowered, O Black people who possess a rich and enduring legacy


The King of glory shall come in
Something or someone majestic and honorable is approaching


Arise Blackman arise
Stand up and take action, Black men


Arise and denote thyself
Empower yourself and make your identity known to others


We've been sittin' in the dirt too long
We have been oppressed and kept down for too long


And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong
We are confused about our own moral principles and values


But help me sing my song
Join with me in spreading this message


Blackman arise
Take action, Black men


For the moon shall turn into blood
A time of unrest and bloodshed is approaching


And the rivers turn into flood
Destruction and chaos are imminent


And the sun will never shine
A time of darkness and despair is coming


Remember we've been down here as slaves
Remember the history of slavery and oppression that we have endured


And to get a little job you have to trim and shave
We are forced to accept the unfair terms of our oppressors just to make a living


Your heaven becomes your grave Job
Our limited aspirations and struggles for survival prevent us from truly living fulfilling lives


For the time of rights is now
The period of asserting our rights and advancing our causes is at hand


And you don't have to ask me how
I do not need to explain how to take action and empower yourself


You've got to make a move
It is time to take action and make progress towards our goals


Every man on earth is a man
All people should be treated equally and with respect


And every tub have to stand on its own bottom
Each person must take responsibility for themselves


No matter where you're from
Regardless of your background or circumstances




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Peter Tosh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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constantin


on Could You Be Loved

i so loved to make my own could you be loved music video! thanks to that!

bubble wand


on Could You Be Loved

so sick

Stuart Essex


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For you Becky :-) xx

Martial Bapst


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Only the best!!!

Robi Andi


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Bob Marley , mantap..!

Rodrîîgo Silva


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#suave

Akbar Sulaeman


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good bob marley ??

Abate Kidus


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good

Valmir Machado


on Lively Up Yourself

mano o bagulho é loko

Volnei Santos da Silva


on Concrete Jungle (JAD)

bob jungle

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