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)

Soul Captives
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tra la la la la, tra la la la la, soul captives are free
Tra la la la la, tra la la la la, soul captives are free

When you wake up early in the morning
And you work like devils in the sun
Time slips away without a warning
But freedom day will come

Tra la la la la, tra la la la la, soul captives are free
Tra la la la la, tra la la la la

Overall Meaning

, soul captives are free.

The lyrics of "Soul Captives" evoke the emotion of hope on the horizon for those who are oppressed and bound. The repeated lines of "tra la la la la, tra la la la la, soul captives are free" symbolize the release of the soul from bondage and the joy that comes with liberation. The mention of waking up early in the morning and working like devils in the sun speaks to the daily struggles and burdens that weigh heavily on those who are unjustly captive. Yet, despite the difficulties, the lyrics remind listeners that time will slip away without warning, and the day of freedom will come.

The song was written and recorded in the early stages of Bob Marley's career, during his time with The Wailers in 1967. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the instrumentation is soulful and rhythmic, serving as a precursor to Marley's signature sound that was yet to come.

Line by Line Meaning

Tra la la la la, tra la la la la, soul captives are free
The song repeats the message of soul captives being free in a joyful and celebratory tone.

When you wake up early in the morning
The song begins with an appeal to the listener's daily routine, implying that the message of freedom should be a part of their everyday consciousness.

And you work like devils in the sun
The song acknowledges the hard labor that people have to undertake under unforgiving circumstances and how it can feel like being trapped.

Time slips away without a warning
The song reminds the listener of how time passes quickly and we can lose sight of the bigger picture if we're not paying attention.

But freedom day will come
The song offers hope and optimism that despite the difficulties of the present, freedom is inevitable for those who persevere.

Lyrics © KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ninjah3952

3y↑7

TRADUCTION EN FR
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres
Quand vous vous réveillez très tôt le matin
Et que vous travaillez comme des diables au soleil
Le temps passe sans prévenir
Mais le jour de la liberté viendra
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres
Quand vous vous réveillez très tôt le matin
Et que vous travaillez comme des diables au soleil
Le temps passe sans prévenir
Mais le jour de la liberté viendra
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres
Tralalalalala Tralalalalala
Les captifs dans l’âme sont libres

All comments from YouTube:

@Psychopathicrapdivision

11w↑1

First time I heard this song me and my grandfather were coming back from town he played it looked at me I looked at him we laughed and smiled 😂😂 it's how I knew bob Marley it's my favorite ♥️♥️

@localafh

26w↑1

The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ Proverbs 3:5

@santiagosecchiaroph4400

5y↑7

This song is one of the most happy Bob's songs, I grew up with it. Thanks for all your fight and message, Robert! We love you and remember forever!

@catalinlascu1554

4y↑5

actually the band started to be called Bob Marley and The Wailers only in 1974, after original members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer departed for solo careers