- - -
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
Rule This Land
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baton sticks get shorter, the youth them get taller.
Can't fight against the youth now, 'cause that's wrong,
Youth a good, good rootsy.
Can't fight against the youth now, 'cause that's wrong,
Youth a good, good rootsy.
Then peego a go lingua, them a roots, roots peego.
Shake her one time for me, sir, (around the world)
She's a roots, roots peego.
Rock her one time for me, sir, (around the world)
She's a roots, roots peego.
We're gonna rule this land, common children.
We're gonna rule this land.
We're gonna rule this land, common children.
We're gonna rule this land.
Can't fight against prediction, right now, youth a good, good rootsy.
Can't fight against prediction, right now, youth a good, good rootsy.
What has been hid from the wise and the prudent,
Has been revealed to babes and sucklings.
Rootsy, rootsy be wise.
Rootsy, rootsy, rootsy, be wise.
Then jailhouse gets empty, the youth them get plenty.
Baton sticks get shorter, the youth them get taller.
Can't fight against the youth now, 'cause that's wrong,
Youth a good, good rootsy.
Can't fight against the youth now, 'cause that's wrong,
Youth a good, good rootsy.
We're gonna rule this land, common children.
We're gonna rule this land.
We're gonna rule this land, common children.
We're gonna rule this land
The song "Rule This Land" by Bunny Wailer is delivered as a rallying call to the youth of Jamaica to rise and rule their land. The lyrics depict a societal shift in which the old order is reversed and the youth become the dominant force. According to Wailer, "Jailhouse gets empty, the youth them get plenty/Baton sticks get shorter, the youth them get taller" implying that the youth are taking over and the old oppressive system is fading away. The use of the term "rootsy" emphasizes the Rastafarian ideology of the song - that the youth are the righteous force that will lead the country to a better future.
The lyrics go on to state that "Can't fight against prediction, right now, youth a good, good rootsy/What has been hid from the wise and the prudent, has been revealed to babes and sucklings." These lines suggest that the youth are the bearers of a divine revelation, and that it is futile to go against them. In the song, the youth are not just a political force, but also a spiritual one. The song urges people to be "rootsy, rootsy, rootsy, be wise" - meaning to adopt the rootsy, Rastafarian philosophy and embrace the youth as the future leaders.
Overall, the song "Rule This Land" serves as a powerful call to action for the youth to take control of their country and shape its future in the image of righteousness and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Jailhouse gets empty, the youth them get plenty.
As more and more people are freed from prison, the young population grows larger and stronger.
Baton sticks get shorter, the youth them get taller.
The weapons police use to subdue young people become less effective as the youth become more resilient and resistant to oppression.
Can't fight against the youth now, 'cause that's wrong,
Youth a good, good rootsy.
One cannot continue to fight against young people because it is morally incorrect, as the youth are a source of strength and positivity in society.
Then peego a go lingua, them a roots, roots peego.
The youth continue to grow and evolve, becoming more deeply entrenched in their roots and traditions.
Shake her one time for me, sir, (around the world)
She's a roots, roots peego.
Celebrate and honor the strength and resilience of young people worldwide, as they are deeply connected to their cultural traditions.
We're gonna rule this land, common children.
Young people will soon take over and lead society in a better direction.
Can't fight against prediction, right now, youth a good, good rootsy.
It is inevitable that young people will continue to grow and thrive, as they are connected to their cultural heritage and traditions.
What has been hid from the wise and the prudent,
Has been revealed to babes and sucklings.
Rootsy, rootsy be wise.
Rootsy, rootsy, rootsy, be wise.
Young people are often more aware of the truth than older, wiser individuals who have been blinded by power and privilege. Therefore, young people must continue to be wise and true to their roots.
Contributed by Tristan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@koffiremi3098
Jailhouse gets empty
Di youth-dem get plenty
Baton stick get shorter
Di youth-dem get taller
[Chorus]
Can't fight against di youth now, 'cause they are strong
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
Can't fight against di youth now, 'cause they are strong
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
[Verse 2]
Them peego are go lingua (Right now)
Them are roots-roots peego
Them peego are go lingua (Right now)
Them are roots-roots peego
Shake her one time for me, sir (Right now)
She's a roots-roots peego
Shake her one time for me, sir (Right now)
She's a roots-roots peego
[Chorus]
We're gonna rule this land (Come on, children)
We're gonna rule this land
We're gonna rule this land (Come on, children)
We're gonna rule this land
[Verse 3]
Can't fight against prediction (Right now)
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
Can't fight against prediction (Right now)
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
[Bridge]
What has been hid from the wise an' the prudent
Has been revealed to babes and suckling
Rootsy-rootsy, be wise
Rootsy-rootsy-rootsy, be wise
[Verse 4]
Them jailhouse gets empty
Di youth-dem get plenty
@iman58
Old school rule seriously brothers and sisters stay strong Jah bless.
@newtonbrown344
A unique Musician.His music is forever and Ever.
@jakeraisanen1104
This song came out in 1981. Seven years before Sublime even released their first album.. I don't know why people are saying Sublime brought them here. Bradley is known to have gotten a lot of his inspiration from reggae he listened to growing up. Do a little research for pete's sake.
@danielfranklin797
Dis song come out 1969 fe all ye new soundbwoi!!!!!! Original Wailers Respect!!!
@subg8858
This version from 81 though is clearly the one Sublime modeled their cover on though.
@subg8858
I dont think anyone thought Bunny was covering Sublime
@doudleimpact01
"never had a battle with a bullet proof vest is a Lauryn Hill lyric" Bradley had great taste
@nalveyna
Theres a couple other sublime tracks u can trace to its original but i cant find like the "pawn shop" song comes from "wailing souls. War round a john shop" reggae is so diverse i love it
@koffiremi3098
Jailhouse gets empty
Di youth-dem get plenty
Baton stick get shorter
Di youth-dem get taller
[Chorus]
Can't fight against di youth now, 'cause they are strong
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
Can't fight against di youth now, 'cause they are strong
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
[Verse 2]
Them peego are go lingua (Right now)
Them are roots-roots peego
Them peego are go lingua (Right now)
Them are roots-roots peego
Shake her one time for me, sir (Right now)
She's a roots-roots peego
Shake her one time for me, sir (Right now)
She's a roots-roots peego
[Chorus]
We're gonna rule this land (Come on, children)
We're gonna rule this land
We're gonna rule this land (Come on, children)
We're gonna rule this land
[Verse 3]
Can't fight against prediction (Right now)
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
Can't fight against prediction (Right now)
Youths are good-good roots, seen?
[Bridge]
What has been hid from the wise an' the prudent
Has been revealed to babes and suckling
Rootsy-rootsy, be wise
Rootsy-rootsy-rootsy, be wise
[Verse 4]
Them jailhouse gets empty
Di youth-dem get plenty
@jacquelinejjoseph
Thoroughly diggin’ this in from the time it was released in the 80’s until now…2023!