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)
Rastaman Chant
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down
Babylon, you throne gone down"
Said I hear the words of the Iyaman say
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down
Babylon, you throne gone down"
"Babylon throne gone down, gone down
Babylon throne gone down"
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home)
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home)
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
Say one bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
The opening lines of "Rastaman Chant" speak to the collective desire of people who have been oppressed, persecuted or seen their culture erased, to witness the fall of Babylon. Babylon is a metaphor for the forces of oppression and corruption that have usurped power, committed atrocities and eroded the natural order of the world. The Rastaman's words signal that Babylon's reign of terror is over and that its throne has fallen.
The Rastafarian movement that Bob Marley was a part of saw Babylon as the embodiment of the evils of the modern world, including greed, violence, and inequality. The lyrics reflect the belief that the struggle against Babylon is ongoing and that change will come eventually. The focus on Zion, the Biblical promised land, as a place of return and liberation, reinforces the central tenets of Rastafarianism.
The repetition of the phrase "Babylon throne gone down" and the exhortation to "fly away home to Zion" create a sense of urgency and hopefulness. The final verse suggests that the struggle against Babylon will result in a brighter future, where the oppressed will be free and able to return to their rightful place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the words of the Rastaman say
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down
Babylon, you throne gone down"
Listen to the message of the Rastafarian leader who proclaims the downfall of the oppressive system known as Babylon.
Said I hear the words of the Iyaman say
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down
Babylon, you throne gone down"
I personally am also hearing the words of this spiritual leader who echoes the same message of Babylon's imminent collapse.
And I hear the angel with the seven seals say
"Babylon throne gone down, gone down
Babylon throne gone down"
Furthermore, I am also receiving a divine revelation, represented by an angel with seven seals, announcing the end of Babylon's reign.
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home)
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home)
In response to Babylon's fall, I urge my fellow believers to return to their spiritual homeland of Zion, where they will find safety and freedom.
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
Alluding to the afterlife, I express my belief that one day, when our earthly toil is complete, we will ascend to our ultimate home.
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
This hopeful sentiment is repeated to emphasize its importance and inspire listeners to persevere through their struggles on Earth.
Say one bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
Once again, I assert my conviction that our ultimate destiny lies beyond this world and that the hardships we endure will one day be left behind.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andreapellegrino6603
I hear the words of the Rasta Man say
Babylon you throne gone dawn, gone down
Babylon you throne gone dawn
Said, I hear the words of the Higher Man
Say
Babylon you throne gone down, gone down
Babylon you throne gone down
And I hear the angel with the seven seals
Babylon your throneβs gone down, gone dawn
Babylon you throne gone dawn
I say fly away home to Zion
Fly away home
I say fly away to Zion
Fly away home
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright marning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright morning when my work is over
Man will fly away home
One bright morning when my work
Is over
Man will fly away home
@primeracalledelasoledad8439
Hear the words of the Rastaman say:
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon, you throne gone down."
Said I hear the words of the Iyaman say:
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon, you throne gone down."
---
[Short instrumental break]
---
And I hear the angel with the seven seals say:
"Babylon throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon throne gone down."
---
[Short instrumental break]
---
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home);
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home).
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
---
[Short instrumental break]
---
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
Say one bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
@littletreasure7709
Iβm mixed Jamaican English, Iβm now 23 and I can actually remember this being played in my childhood to get me to sleep on a night, my mama also played this when I was a newborn itβs giving me so much good memories π€
@gtf5392
Iβm white but my parents used to play the Legend album in the car and my brother and I really got into reggae from there. My brother ended up DJβing the reggae show at his college radio station and got to interview many reggae artists including Ziggy Marley.
@user-lf9im1si1y
My bro wanted me to play this song. When we layed him down to rest. He told me 2weeks before he passed away. π’love and miss you always Daniel G. Cruz ( Dan Juan 4rm San Juan. "Native Hawk Status" Love your sis "Native Queen"β€π’
@jermaine6053
Bless You And Your Family And May Your Brother Get The Rest I'm Sure He Deserves β€
@user-lf9im1si1y
Thank you. I appreciate your comment. May God bless you and your family
@kurstone04
Blessings from Aotearoa/New Zealand Kings and Queens! Give thanks!
@stanslausmteme8455
Let may Almighty God may rest him in peace.Rastaman chant was the great song even me once I ear the song I remembered my brother prosper who led me to love bob's song.Much respect Rastaman chant!!!
@ReggaeMusicisForYou
The world needs a Nyahbinghi drum circle all around it! π
@michaelconnell7808
YESSSSSS!!!
@jonstolarski
Ameen.