Small Axe
Bob Marley Feat. Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever? Oh no
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity, yeah (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth forever
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down (well sharp)
Ready to cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper, oh no they can't!
And whosoever diggeth a pit, Lord
Shall fall in it, shall fall in it
Whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down
Ready to cut you down
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
If you are the big, big tree
We have a small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree, let me tell you this
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
Sharpened to cut you down
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
The lyrics of Bob Marley's Small Axe can be interpreted as a message of power to the oppressed. The song addresses those who boast about their superiority and intelligence while neglecting to cultivate wisdom or honor their innate goodness. It is a call to dismantle oppressive systems and topple those who have unjustly positioned themselves as the "big tree."
Marley uses the metaphor of a tree and a small axe to convey this message. The "big tree" represents those who hold power and oppress others. The "small axe" signifies the oppressed, who, though they may seem insignificant, have the potential to bring about change and dismantle power structures. The lyrics suggest that those who dig pits to trap others will eventually fall into their own trap.
This song can be interpreted as a powerful anthem for marginalized groups, who, though they may seem to be at a disadvantage, actually hold tremendous power to bring about change. It encourages listeners to stand up against injustice and to use their power to bring about a more equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
Why boasteth thyself
Why are you bragging?
Oh, evil men
Those who do bad things
Playing smart
You think you're clever
And not being clever? Oh no
But you're actually not smart at all.
I said, you're working iniquity
You are doing evil deeds
To achieve vanity, yeah (if a-so a-so)
To get something worthless
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
Goodness of God
I-dureth forever
Enduring forever
If you are the big tree
If you're powerful
We are the small axe
We are less powerful but can still do damage
Sharpened to cut you down (well sharp)
Prepared to bring you down
These are the words
These are the teachings
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
Of my leader who guides me
No weak heart
People who are not strong
Shall prosper, oh no they can't!
They will not succeed
And whosoever diggeth a pit, Lord
Those who harm others
Shall fall in it, shall fall in it
Will face consequences
Shall bury in it, shall bury in it
Will suffer from their own actions
If you are the big, big tree
If you are very powerful
We have a small axe
We still have the capability to bring you down
If you are the big tree, let me tell you this
If you think you are powerful
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
We are ready to bring you down
Sharpened to cut you down
We have prepared ourselves to bring you down
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zulu369
Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever?
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth forever
So if you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
If you are the big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe, sharp and ready
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, tellin' me that
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, uh, bury in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, uh (bury in it)
If you are the big, big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
If you are the big, big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
Sharpened
@ninjah3952
TRADUCTION EN FR
De quoi vous vantez-vous, รด hommes mรฉchants
Feignant lโintelligence que vous nโavez pas ?
Je dis que vous ลuvrez dans lโiniquitรฉ
Pour assouvir des vanitรฉs
Mais la bontรฉ de Jah Jah dure ร jamais
Si vous รชtes un gros arbre
Nous sommes la petite hache
Taillรฉe pour vous abattre
Bien affรปtรฉe pour vous abattre
Voici les mots de mon maรฎtre
Qui mโa enseignรฉ
Quโaucun cลur faible ne peut prospรฉrer
Et quiconque creuse une fosse
Tombera dedans
Quiconque creuse une fosse
Sera enseveli dedans
Alors si vous รชtes un gros arbre
Nous sommes la petite hache
Taillรฉe pour vous abattre
Bien affรปtรฉe pour vous abattre
Et quiconque creuse une fosse
Tombera dedans
Quiconque creuse une fosse
Sera enseveli dedans
Alors si vous avez un gros arbre
Nous avons la petite hache
Taillรฉe pour lโabattre
Bien affรปtรฉe pour lโabattre
@MichaelSanchez-qz2ro
EASILY one of The Wailers best song ever. Personally speaking this one and One Drop are my faves!
@davidbeckman7925
That's good taste in BM songs ๐ถโค๏ธโ๐ฅ
@emiliothepoet
Yes! Incredible!
@jessboomen
Couldnโt agree more just heard this tonight cooking supper and thought โthis is the perfect songโ
@Mr211083
The story behind it makes it even better ... I absolutely love it
@WhitLong-me6kr
Easily one of the best songs ever โค
@WILODSM
All the versions are great but this is the one I put everyday!!!!! How great must have been listening to this while they were recording
@guerreropac
The OG one was my fave for many years until I heard this one, love it so much, those back up vocals melt me
@nyashachikomwe839
@J Guerrero I don't if it's Peter and Bunny but they were on fire
@arjuna_dasa
Yes it is peter and bunny. An upful heartfelt spiritful vocal harmony trio. Yes iya!