Small Axe
Bob Marley feat. The Wailers Lyrics
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Playing smart and-a not being clever!
I said you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so, a-so),
But the goodness of Jah - Jah
Endureth for ever
So if you are the big tree,
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words of my master
Keep on tellin' me: no weak out shall prosper
Eh! 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
Sharpened ready ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down.
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down,
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down)
These are the words of my master
Tellin' me that: no weak out 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
The lyrics of Bob Marley's "Small Axe" speaks of the power of the oppressed to overcome the oppressor. Marley begins by calling out the arrogance and lack of intelligence of those in power, the "evil men," who boast of their smartness but are not clever. He accuses them of working iniquity and vanity, but reminds them that the goodness of Jah endures forever. The use of the word "Jah" is a reference to God, which suggests that the fight against injustice is righteous and justifiable. He then asserts that the small and seemingly powerless can bring down the mighty, using the analogy of a tree and an axe. If the oppressor is a big tree, then the oppressed are the small axe ready to cut them down.
Marley also incorporates a biblical reference in the lyrics. He recalls the scripture that "whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it," emphasizing that those who plot evil against others will eventually face the consequences of their actions. The repetition of this idea, "fall in it," highlights the inevitability of justice. He proclaims that no weak person shall prosper, and in the end, justice and righteousness will triumph. The metaphorical use of the axe denotes the power of the oppressed to overthrow their oppressor, and that the reign of terror will come to an end.
Overall, "Small Axe" is a song that inspires the oppressed to stand up and fight against injustice. Marley uses imagery and metaphors to convey a powerful message of hope and determination to the downtrodden to rise up and bring about justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Why boasteth thyself, O evil men
Why are you so proud of yourselves, you wicked individuals?
Playing smart and-a not being clever!
You may act intelligent, but in reality, you are not wise.
I said you're working iniquity
I am acknowledging that you are committing sinful acts.
To achieve vanity (if a-so, a-so),
Your wrongdoing is ultimately futile and will only lead to emptiness.
But the goodness of Jah - Jah
However, God's goodness and righteousness endure forever.
Endureth for ever
God's goodness and righteousness will always exist.
So if you are the big tree,
If you hold great power and status,
We are the small axe
We may seem insignificant, but we hold the power to bring you down.
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
We are fully prepared to take action against you with precision.
These are the words of my master
This message comes from God, the ultimate authority and leader.
Keep on tellin' me: no weak out shall prosper
God has assured me that those who are weak and vulnerable will ultimately triumph over those who oppress them.
Eh! Whosoever diggeth a pit
Listen up! Anyone who tries to harm others will only bring harm upon themselves.
Shall fall in it - fall in it
Their own actions will lead to their downfall.
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Again, anyone who seeks to hurt others will only hurt themselves.
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
They will stumble into their own trap.
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
I want to make it clear that despite our size, we are a powerful force to be reckoned with.
To cut you down.
We are ready and willing to bring you to justice.
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down,
This chorus further emphasizes our determination to hold you accountable for your actions.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down)
We will not rest until justice is served.
Shall fall in it, uh! bury in it!
Again, those who seek to harm others will only harm themselves, and their actions will lead to their own downfall.
If you are the big, big tree,
If you are a powerful figure,
We are the small axe
We, the oppressed and marginalized, have the potential to bring you down.
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
I want to make it crystal clear that despite our perceived weakness, we have the strength to fight back.
To cut you down, (well sharp)
We are fully prepared and equipped to bring you to justice.
To cut you down
We will not let you get away with your oppressive and wicked behavior.
Lyrics ยฉ 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!