Rise & Shine
Bunny Wailer Lyrics

This is the cry of a people
These lyrics are a plea from a group of people.

Who were robbed and raped from their homeland
The group of people were taken from their homes against their will.

And their loved ones.
They were separated from their families and the people they cared about.

A people stripped of their culture,
The kidnappers wanted to erase the group's traditions and ways of life.

Their dignity, their liberty and their rigths
As well as their self-respect, freedom and basic human entitlements.

And by the cruel and presumptuos
The group of people were treated unfairly and unjustly.

Hands of the colonial and imperialistics slavers
This happened as a result of oppression from colonial and imperialist oppressors.

Were cargoed into the west,
The group of people were transported to the Western world like cargo.

Where for over 400 years they have toiled and laboured,
The group of people were used for manual labor for centuries.

And with their blood, their sweat, them tears and hands
These people worked hard using everything they had, but not always by choice.

They have built the great city of Babylon,
Despite their struggles, they contributed to the development of Babylon.

Only to be paid with the wages of the taskmaster's Whip,
However, they were not fairly compensated for their hard work and received punishment instead.

Torture and death.
These people suffered a great deal and many were killed.

We've been down in the valley much too long.
The oppression and suffering lasted too long.

We've been down in captivity oh so long.
They were held captive for years and years.

We've been down in humillity much too long.
They experienced shame and humiliation unnecessarily.

We've been down in slavery oh so long.
They were forced into slavery and it lasted an unbearable amount of time.

But we're gonna rise and shine!
However, the people are now determined to overcome their struggles.

And win our liberation,
They will fight for their freedom and justice.

For now is the time
The people believe that the time is now for change and improvement.

When all nations must be free.
They want all people in all nations to be free from oppression.

So rise and shine!
They urge everyone to rise and overcome their struggles.

Restore your strength and power,
The people must regain their vitality and energy to fight for their rights.

Waste no more time,
They must act quickly and not let time go by without change occurring.

Remember your history.
The people must never forget where they came from and what they have been through.

We've been down in a sufferation much too long.
The people have suffered long enough and it must stop.

We've been down in a condemnation oh so long.
They have been unfairly judged for too long.

We've been down in a segregation much too long.
They were separated and kept apart from the rest of the world for too long.

We've been down in humilliation oh so long.
The people were made to feel ashamed unnecessarily for too long.

As the morning sun that surrounds you,
They will rise like the sun and surround those who oppose change.

It's international morality time,
People around the world must reevaluate their choices and actions towards others.

Where mankind must be born anew.
Everyone must have a fresh start that prioritizes equality and humanity.

For the sake of the younger generations,
Change must occur so that the future is brighter for the next generations to come.

Putting hearts and minds,
The people must think carefully and dedicate themselves entirely to the cause.

To brotherhood and unity.
They must strive for togetherness and peace among all people.

Remember the slavemaster's ship!
The people must always remember the terrible history of slavery and oppression.

Remember the taskmaster's whip!
They must never forget the pain and suffering that their ancestors endured.

Yes we're gonna rise and shine!
The people are determined to overcome their struggles and succeed no matter what it takes.