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Bunny Wailer was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, born Neville O'Riley Livingston on April 10, 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was founder and an original member of ska, rocksteady and reggae group The Wailers (formed 1963) along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The young Livingston spent his earliest years in the village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish. It was there that he first met Bob Marley, and the two toddlers became fast friends. The boys both came from one parent families; Livingston was being brought up by his father, Marley by his mother. Later, Bunny's father Thaddeus "Toddy" Livingston lived with Bob Marley's mother Cedella Booker and had a daughter with her named Pearl Livingston. Peter Tosh had a son, Andrew Tosh, with another of Bunny's sisters, Shirley, making Andrew his nephew
Livingston was underused as a writer and lead vocalist in The Wailers compared with Marley and Tosh. When Wailers regularly changed producers during the early reggae years in the late 1960s, Livingston continued to be a key part of the group's distinctive harmonies. He sang however lead on "Dreamland" (a cover of El Tempos' My Dream Island, which soon became Bunny's signature song), "Riding High", "Brainwashing" and on one verse of the Wailers' Impressions-like "Keep On Moving", both produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. In 1971, he recorded the original version of Pass It On
Bunny Wailer toured with the Wailers in England and the United States, but soon became reluctant to leave Jamaica. He and Tosh became more marginalized in the group as the Wailers became an international success, and attention was increasingly focused on Marley. Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh subsequently left the Wailers to pursue solo careers. They were replaced by the I Threes, a move to broaden the base of success for the Wailers in the non-Jamaican market.
After leaving the Wailers, Bunny became more focused on his spiritual faith. He identified with the Rastafari movement, as did the other Wailers. He self-produced a number of his recordings after striking out on his own. He has also written much of his own material as well as re-recording a number of cuts from the Wailers catalogue. Bunny Wailer has recorded primarily in the roots style, in keeping with his often political and spiritual messages. The album "Blackheart Man" is a good example of his roots reggae style and the dub version,Dub d*sco vol 1 equally magnificent if hard to find. "Sings the Wailers" successfully reworks many of The Wailers songs with the backing of top Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie. He has also had success recording in the typically apolitical, more pop dancehall style. He has outlived his contemporaries in a culture where death by violence is commonplace.
Bunny Wailer has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1990, 1994 and 1996.
Bunny Wailer died on 2 March 2021.
ALBUMS WITH ORIGINAL MATERIAL
* ''Blackheart Man'' (1976) [[Island Records|Island]]/Solomonic
* ''Protest'' (1977) Island/Solomonic
* ''Struggle'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.1'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''In I Father's House'' (1979) Solomonic
* ''Bunny Wailer Sings the Wailers'' (1980) Island/Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.2'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Rock 'n' Groove'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Tribute'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Hook Line & Sinker'' (1982) Solomonic
* ''Roots Radics Rockers Reggae'' (1983) [[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]]
* ''Live!'' (1983) Solomonic
* ''Marketplace'' (1985) Solomonic
* ''Rootsman Skanking'' (1987) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Rock And Groove'' edited version plus 3 extra tracks)
* ''Rule Dance Hall'' (1987) Shanachie
* ''Liberation'' (1989) Shanachie
* ''Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley'' (1990) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Tribute'' + 2 extra tracks)
* ''Gumption'' (1990) Shanachie
* ''The Never Ending Wailers'' (1991)
* ''Dance Massive'' (1992)
* ''Just Be Nice'' (1993) [[RAS Records|RAS]]
* ''Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary'' (1996) RAS
* ''Communication'' (2000) Solomonic/Tuff Gong
* ''World Peace'' (2003) Solomonic
* ''Rub A Dub'' (2007) Solomonic
* ''Cross Culture'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Combinations Vol.1'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Blackheart Man (Remastered & Extended)'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Reincarnated Souls'' (2013), VP - 3CD + 2DVD set
Amagideon
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taking place inna I-ration, inna I-ration
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration
In the beginning there was but one concept
And that's the concept of I
Then arose Apollyon the devil (Satan! Satan!)
And from that day on, there is trouble
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
From that day on
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
We've got wars and rumours of wars
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
Nations rising up against nations
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
Mother against daughter
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
Father against son
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
Little children having children (trouble! trouble!)
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration, inna I-ration
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration
I see light fighting against darkness
Righteousness against evil
Right battling against wrong
Here comes bondage, struggling for freedom
But have patience I I-dren have patience!
Don't be burdened by reasons of tribulations
Have patience I I-dren have patience!
Remember the call of redemption
It says: Blessed art the poor
(They shall inherit the earth)
Blessed art the meek
(They shall have a birth)
Them that hunger and thirst after righteousness
Them alone shall be called blessed
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration, inna I-ration
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration
Walk beyond to the pastors that lead my sheep astray
Everyone, everyone shall get his pay, yes
For the gates of hell just could never prevail
I'd like to say: Babylon failed
There is one like unto a place of fire
His name I can tell
He is conquering and to conquer
The gates of doom and hell
And life, long life, is His reward
To them that are good
As for the heathen, as for the heathen
In their hearts His name is terrible and dreadful
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration, inna I-ration
It's the Amagideon!
Taking place inna I-ration
The night is passed the day is come
I see Jah shining in the shining sun
The song "Amagideon" by Bunny Wailer is a powerful message about the battle between good and evil. The Amagideon is the ultimate showdown between righteousness and evil, taking place within the I-ration, or the divine realm. The song draws from biblical themes, with Apollyon, the devil, claiming to be equal to God and causing chaos in the world. The lyrics describe the violence and discord that has plagued humanity since the devil's rebellion, such as wars between nations and family conflicts. But the song also offers hope in the form of a call to patience, redemption, and faith in Jah. The meek and righteous will inherit the earth, and those who follow Jah will receive everlasting life.
The song has a powerful message, and the lyrics are filled with symbolism and references to biblical themes. Bunny Wailer draws from his Rastafarian beliefs to express his views on the state of the world and the struggle between good and evil.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the Amagideon!
The Amagideon is happening!
Taking place inna I-ration, inna I-ration
It's happening in the midst of the Rastafari community.
In the beginning there was but one concept
At the start, there was only one idea.
And that's the concept of I
That idea is the concept of the self.
Then arose Apollyon the devil (Satan! Satan!)
Then came the devil claiming that it's not just about the self, but about him as well.
Claiming that it's you and I
The devil says that it's about both of us.
And from that day on, there is trouble
Ever since then, there has been chaos.
(Trouble in the world and the world gone astray)
The world is in disarray.
We've got wars and rumours of wars
There are many conflicts and potential conflicts.
Nations rising up against nations
Countries are fighting each other.
Mother against daughter
Even families are divided.
Father against son
Family members are fighting against each other.
Little children having children (trouble! trouble!)
Even young people are having to deal with adult situations.
I see light fighting against darkness
There is a battle between good and evil.
Righteousness against evil
There are people fighting for what is right and just.
Right battling against wrong
The forces of good are fighting against the forces of evil.
Here comes bondage, struggling for freedom
People are fighting against oppression and trying to gain their freedom.
But have patience I I-dren have patience!
Be patient, my brothers and sisters.
Don't be burdened by reasons of tribulations
Don't let the troubles you face hold you down.
Remember the call of redemption
Remember the message of salvation.
It says: Blessed art the poor
The poor are blessed.
(They shall inherit the earth)
They will receive great blessings.
Blessed art the meek
Those who are gentle and humble are blessed.
(They shall have a birth)
They will receive a great reward.
Them that hunger and thirst after righteousness
Those who strongly desire what is right and just.
Them alone shall be called blessed
They are the truly blessed ones.
Walk beyond to the pastors that lead my sheep astray
Go beyond the religious leaders who are leading people away from the true path.
Everyone, everyone shall get his pay, yes
Everyone will receive what they deserve.
For the gates of hell just could never prevail
The forces of evil will ultimately fail.
I'd like to say: Babylon failed
The oppressive forces of Babylon have failed.
There is one like unto a place of fire
There is someone who is like a fiery place.
His name I can tell
I can tell you His name.
He is conquering and to conquer
He is victorious and always will be.
The gates of doom and hell
Even the forces of death and destruction cannot stop Him.
And life, long life, is His reward
Those who follow Him will receive eternal life.
To them that are good
Those who are righteous.
As for the heathen, as for the heathen
As for those who are not believers.
In their hearts His name is terrible and dreadful
They fear and are in awe of His name.
The night is passed the day is come
The darkness is gone and the light has returned.
I see Jah shining in the shining sun
I see God's presence in the sun's bright light.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NEVILLE LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nrrbull
Here comes bondage, struggling for freedom, But have patience! I Idren, have patience! Don't be burdened by reasons of tribulations. Have patience! Idren, have patience! Remember the call of redemption. It says: Blessed art the poor, They shall inherit the earth. Blessed art the meek, They shall have a birth. Them that hunger and thirst after righteousness Them alone shall be called blessed,
Matthew 5
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
@shevonroach6320
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇧🇴 greetings from Trinidad 🇹🇹
@ericwade9418
Those kind of music that raised me up through my father
@barroncampbell6699
48 years old now, grew up with dem tune ya. How relevant today the lyrics. Don’t forget your roots.🙏🏾❤️🌈
@alfonzopryor78
I'm from St.Ann , and this tune is still applicable till this day , it's going on r right now
@quintinsimms2446
Yes si!!
@PatienceAndrews
One of the best songs ever composed! The bass line is phenomenal, the backup vocals perfect, background instruments amazing! Bunny Wailer was a genius! R I P💕
@wanyecaleb-hh8fs
F, kk
@quintinsimms2446
1976 was a special year for reggae. I could not understand how this brother was on a couple of albums.
@candosciousb2642
One of my FAVORITE songs. Rest easy King Wailer 👑🇯🇲 forever a TRUE LEGEND
@atwa4life
RIP BUNNY WAILER, enjoying spliffs with Bob and Peter now in a mystical place, thank you for everything and your works king.