Exodus
Bob Marley The Wailers Lyrics

Movement of Jah people, oh oh oh, yeah
This song is about the movement of the people who follow Jah, the Rastafarian God, and the struggles they face in a world that opposes them.

Men and people will fight ya down (tell me why)
The singer acknowledges that there will be opposition and violence against those who follow Jah and asks why this is the case.

When ya see Jah light. (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
The singer refers to the spiritual awakening and enlightenment that comes when one sees the truth of Jah and the Rastafarian way of life, symbolized by the light of Jah.

Let me tell you if you're not wrong (then, why?)
If one is not doing anything wrong, then why should they face opposition and violence as they follow Jah?

Everything is all right
Despite the opposition, the artist reassures that everything is alright and encourages people to keep walking forward on the path of Jah.

So we gonna walk, all right, through de roads of creation
The singer encourages people to keep walking on the path of Jah, symbolized as the roads of creation, with confidence and determination.

We the generation (tell me why)
The singer refers to the Rastafarian community as a whole, and asks why they should be opposed or persecuted for following their beliefs.

(Trod through great tribulation) trod through great tribulation
The Rastafarian community has faced great challenges and persecution throughout their history, but they keep moving forward.

Exodus, all right, movement of Jah people
The artist refers to the migration of the Rastafarian community, from Babylon (the oppressive and unjust world) to their own promised land, as the Exodus of Jah people, signifying freedom and hope.

Open your eyes and look within
The artist encourages people to look within themselves and examine their lives and see if they are truly living in accordance with Jah's teachings, and if not to make a change.

Are you satisfied (with the life you're living) uh
The singer questions whether people are truly fulfilled and happy with their lives as they currently are, or if they need to make a change and follow Jah's teachings.

We know where we're going, uh
The artist reassures that the Rastafarian community knows where they are headed and what they believe, helping them remain focused and strong in the face of challenges.

We're leaving Babylon
The singer refers to the Rastafarian community breaking away from the oppressive and unjust world, represented by Babylon, and seeking their own promised land, free from oppression and injustice.

We're going to our Father lan
The Rastafarian community is seeking their own promised land, a place of freedom, justice, and equality that they believe is promised by Jah.

Exodus, all right, oh, oh, oh
The singer reiterates that the movement of the Rastafarian community to their promised land is an Exodus, signifying hope and freedom.

(Movement of Jah people) send us another brother Moses
The artist refers to the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and asks for a new leader to guide the Rastafarian community to their promised land.

(Movement of Jah people) from across the Red Sea
The artist asks for this new leader to come from a place of struggle, symbolized by the Red Sea, representing the challenges the community faces.

Jah come to break down pression
The singer refers to Jah coming to break down the oppression and injustices in the world and to bring about equality and justice for all people.

Rule equality
The singer believes that under Jah's rule, all people will be treated equally and justice will be served for everyone, regardless of race or class.

Wipe away transgression
The artist asks for Jah to wipe away the sins and wrongdoings of people, allowing for forgiveness and new beginnings, just as the Rastafarian community seeks a new beginning and promised land.

Set the captives free
The artist asks for Jah to bring an end to the oppression and injustice that keeps people captive, both literally and figuratively, and to set all people free.

Movement of Jah people, oh, yeah
The song ends with a final reference to the movement of the Rastafarian community and the hope and freedom it symbolizes for those who follow Jah.