Album: Natty Dread (1974)
2.
"Rebel Music (… Read Full Bio ↴Track Length: 6:44
Album: Natty Dread (1974)
2.
"Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)" is a Song from the seventh album "Natty Dread" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released in 1974. Previously Marley had recorded with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer as the Wailers, and this was his first record without them.
Natty Dread was most popularly received in the UK, where it peaked at No. 43 and sold in excess of 100,000 copies, making it a gold album. Over time it gained popularity in other parts of the world, and in 2003 it was ranked No. 181 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natty_Dread
Rebel Music
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, rebel music
Why can't we roam this open country?
Oh, why can't we be what we want to be?
We want to be free
Three o'clock roadblock, curfew
And I've got to throw away
Yes, I've got to throw away
My little herb stalk
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
Take my soul and suss me out
Check my life if I am in doubt
Three o'clock, roadblock
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
(What you say down there?)
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
I, rebel music
Take my soul and suss me out
Check my life if I am in doubt
Three o'clock, roadblock
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
(What you say down there?) Hey Mr. Cop
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
"Rebel Music" is a song by Bob Marley that expresses the sentiments of someone who is frustrated with the limitations of society and the cruel measures taken by the authorities to enforce them. The song begins with the singer boldly declaring that he is a rebel who believes in the power of music to express dissent and protest. He questions why people are not allowed to roam freely in their own country and be who they want to be. The use of the word "we" in this instance emphasizes his desire for collective freedom rather than individual liberation.
The song then takes a more personal turn as the singer describes throwing away his "little herb stalk," indicating that he has chosen to forfeit his freedom and his pleasure in order to avoid punishment. This shows the dire consequences of rebelling against the establishment and the personal sacrifices that people have to make every day to maintain their dignity and freedom. The phrase "three o'clock roadblock" is a reference to the common police tactic of setting up checkpoints to catch people who are out past curfew or breaking other laws.
The final verse of the song refers to the singer being stopped by a cop who demands to see his birth certificate, a piece of paper that represents the bureaucratic control that authorities exert over the lives of citizens. By saying "I ain't got no birth certificate on me now," the singer asserts his right to be free from this type of surveillance and control. Overall, the song is a powerful anthem for those who feel oppressed or marginalized and a call to action for those who want to challenge the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
Why can't we roam this open country?
Why are we confined to limited spaces and freedoms?
Oh, why can't we be what we want to be?
Why are our desires and aspirations suppressed?
We want to be free
We long for liberty and independence.
Three o'clock roadblock, curfew
At night, the authorities impede our movements with blockades and restrictions.
And I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
Yes, I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
Yes, I've got to throw away
I am forced to discard
My little herb stalk
My marijuana that represents my way of life.
Take my soul and suss me out
Devote some scrutiny onto my being.
Check my life if I am in doubt
Examine my way of living so as to verify its legitimacy.
And, hey, Mr. Cop, ain't got no
Police, I don't have a
(What you say down there?)
(What do you say?)
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now
I can't produce my documents at the moment.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
I, rebel music
I am a symbol of rebellion expressed through music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Aston Barrett, Hugh Peart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carlitosway9422
Pureeeeee CLASS!! There will only ever be one Bob Marley... A true prophet from the gods..
AND WILL STILL HAVEN'T LEARNT A THING! 🤷🏾♂️🤔
We desperately need bob in this world.. We are certainly a weaker human race without his emerical presence...
R.I.P my brother..
See you soon 🙏🏾💙
👆🏾🎸🎧🔊
@yumehypo9372
(Do do do do-do do do!
Do do do do-do do do!
I rebel music;
I rebel music.)
Why can't we roam (oh-oh-oh-oh) this open country? (open country)
Oh, why can't we be what we wanna be? (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
We want to be free. (wanna be free)
3 o'clock roadblock - curfew,
And I've got to throw away -
Yes, I've got to throw away -
A yes-a, but I've got to throw away
My little herb stalk!
I (rebel music) - yeah, I'm tellin' you! -
(I) I rebel music (rebel music). Oh-ooh!
Take my soul (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
and suss - and suss me out (suss me out). Oh-ooh!
Check my life (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh),
if I am in doubt (I'm in doubt); I'm tellin':
3 o'clock roadblock - roadblock - roadblock,
And "Hey, Mr. Cop! Ain't got no - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
(What ya sayin' down there?) - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now."
[Instrumental break]
(I rebel music)
(I rebel music)
(oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
(open country)
(oh-oh-oh)
(Do do do!)
I (rebel music) - yeah, I'm tellin' you! -
(I) I rebel music (rebel music).
Oh-ooh! Take my soul (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
and suss - and suss me out (suss me out). Oh-ooh!
Check my life (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh),
if I am in doubt (I'm in doubt); I'm tellin':
3 o'clock roadblock - roadblock - roadblock,
And "Hey, Mr. Cop! Ain't got no - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
(What ya sayin' down there?) - (hey) hey! (hey, Mr Cop) -
Ain't got no birth certificate on me now."
@fistux
bob marley is not just weed brother.......he brought peace to Jamaica and throughout the world....the weed is secondary.....peace man
@guitarraflamenca8810
This music it is not just a marijuana but a deep philiosophical and religious reflection of life ... Marley is a good man ...
@the__void__spaghetti__girl
+GUITARA FLAMENCA I thought it was just about being stopped by the cops on the road.
@guitarraflamenca8810
+Profajl Nejm police Brutality... Peter Tosh talk about this...
@brunomoreiralima1296
+GUITARA FLAMENCA Marley is a prophet!
@moamen2381
Exactly what I thought. Brilliant message.
@benrow5472
hes a prince of the universe. he is immortal, he has inside him blood of kings.he has no rival, no man can be his equal, Fighting and Free He was Born to be a Prince of the Universe.
@zachmckeever5925
Bob's music is best heard in the early morning as the sun is slowly rising. And also at 145 PM in the rainy cold winter night with no moon in sight. It's good at any moment. Listen closely and you'll hear the purity enmeshed in his messages. We are blessed that he was here the short little time he was here to kindly spread his music, his thoughts, his soul with us. I personally believe he was a prophet. A gifted and perfectly selected soul to impart music which comes straight from God, or Jah, or Buddha, or whatever you feel like calling the great spirit who designed this vast universe. Bob had a mainline connection to that spirit. And he opened a window for us, into the heart and soul and kindness and also harshness that makes up our Creator. I can only praise God for being so kind as to send us a prophet. Because every time I listen to Bob, I understand God a little bit more.
@lanceahsam3196
Zach McKeever ..give thanks and praze! to the most high!...we'll said my brother! very strong! ! ! Jah love!
@busyboysonedollarcircus6601
oh there's no doubt this man is a prophet.