The album has a very relaxed, laid back sound, lacking much of the militant quality of the Wailers lyrically and musically. They received criticism for 'going soft' as a result of the general sound of the album as well as the theme: songs primarily revolving around love, as well as marijuana.
The album's release coincided with the One Love Peace Concert, heralding Marley's triumphant return to Jamaica from exodus in London. Three of the songs are new versions of tracks from the 1971 album Soul Revolution Part II. Well-known songs from the album include "Is This Love" and "Satisfy My Soul". Kaya reached the top five in the UK album charts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaya_(album)
Time Will Tell
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
Run come crucify the Dread
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
You think you are in heaven, but you living in hell
Back them up, oh, not the brothers
But the ones who set them up
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
You think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell
Mm-mm, mm-mm
Oh, ma
Oh, ma
Oh, ma children are cryin'
Oh, children, weep no more
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
All you have spoke
Oh, children, weep no more
Weep no more, children, weep no more
Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Run come crucify the Dread
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
The lyrics of the song 'Time Will Tell' by Bob Marley & The Wailers are a reflection of the Rastafarian belief that Babylon, which represents the corrupt system that oppresses people, has been ruling the world for centuries. The first line of the song, 'Jah would never give the power to a bald head,' refers to the belief that Babylonians, who are often depicted with bald heads, do not have the spiritual power to rule over the people. The second line, 'Run come crucify the Dread,' calls on the people to reject the societal norms and crucify those who perpetuate these norms.
The chorus of the song, 'Time alone, oh, time will tell, think you're in heaven, but you living in hell,' means that despite the illusion of a perfect life, true life experiences cannot be avoided. The repetition of the line 'think you're in heaven, but you're living in hell' highlights the contrast between the perceived life of luxury and happiness and the harsh realities of living in a corrupt system.
The song also references the struggles of the oppressed people through lines such as 'children are crying' and 'sycamore tree saw the freedom tree.' The song encourages the people to stand up against their oppressors and reject societal norms that perpetuate the corrupt system.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh
The start of the song, no true meaning.
Jah would never give the power to a bald head
God would never give power to those who are corrupt, symbolized by those with bald heads.
Run come crucify the Dread
The corrupt, symbolized by the baldheads, are urged to kill the true Rastafarians, represented by the Dreadlocks.
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Only time will reveal the true nature of things.
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
People may believe they are living in heaven, but in reality they are in a state of suffering.
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Reiteration of the idea that only time will reveal the truth.
You think you're in heaven, but you living in hell
Restate of the idea that people may believe they are living in a good place, but in reality, they are faced with many problems.
Back them up, oh, not the brothers
Do not support those who have set up corrupt leaders to gain power.
But the ones who set them up
Hold accountable those who enable the corrupt leaders to take and keep power.
Mm-mm, mm-mm
An interlude, serving no true purpose.
Oh, ma
An interlude, serving no true purpose.
Oh, ma
An interlude, serving no true purpose.
Oh, ma children are cryin'
Children are in pain/suffering, which could be a result of the corrupt system/heaven turning to hell.
Oh, children, weep no more
Comfort is offered to the children, and they are urged to stop crying.
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree
A metaphor is used in which the sycamore tree is representative of freedom, which was seen as hope for the Rastafarians.
All you have spoke
All the wisdom of the sycamore tree is taken into consideration.
Oh, children, weep no more
Reiteration of urging the children to stop crying.
Weep no more, children, weep no more
Reiteration of the idea that children should not cry anymore.
Jah would never give the power to a baldhead
Reiteration of the idea that those who are corrupt and immoral will never gain true power.
Run come crucify the Dread
Repeated to emphasize that the enemies of the Rastafarians will stop at nothing to destroy them.
Time alone, oh, time will tell
Reiteration of the idea that time will ultimately reveal the truth.
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may believe they are in a good situation, but are, in fact, living in a hellish state.
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may believe they are in a good position, but are actually in a difficult one.
Think you're in heaven, but ya living in hell
Reiteration of the idea that people may be living in unfavorable circumstances without realizing it.
Time alone, oh, time will tell
The conclusion of the song, reiterating that time will uncover the truth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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
on Could You Be Loved
For you Becky :-) xx
Martial Bapst
on Exodus
Only the best!!!
Robi Andi
on Redemption Song
Bob Marley , mantap..!
Rodrîîgo Silva
on Three Little Birds
#suave
Akbar Sulaeman
on Redemption Song
good bob marley ??
Abate Kidus
on Buffalo Soldier
good
Valmir Machado
on Lively Up Yourself
mano o bagulho é loko
Volnei Santos da Silva
on Concrete Jungle (JAD)
bob jungle