African Postman
Burning Spear Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Son, who is that knocking out there
It's an African postman daddy,
African postman, ye-s a me brother
Woooo a me brother,
This African post man bring I and I and I a telegram
African postman
African postman
African postman
Telegram say

Sons and daughters of His Imperial Majesty,
Haile Selassie
Earth rightful Ruler
Without any apology say
This is the time, when I and I and I and should
Come home, yes Jah
Come hold the fort, come hold the fort
Nay leggo Nay leggo
Heng on, heng on, heng on, heng on, heng on
Come hold the fort we a hold
The fort, we a hold the fort
Give thanks to this African postman
African postman, African postman

The telegram was so interesting and
essential and important to I and I as African
Bless and keep this postman
Guidance be with this postman
Providence, this African postman a Ia Ia Ia Ia I
Brother, African brother
To a brother is a brother,
African postman, African postman, African postman
Who bring Ia Ia Ia I a telegram

Saying that, sons and daughters of His Imperial Majesty
Haile Selassie
Earth rightful Ruler
Without any apology saying
This the time when I and I and I
Should come yes Jah
Come on hold the fort, we a hold
The fort I and I yound
Come hold the fort
Nay leggo heng on Nay leggo heng on
Nay leggo heng on nay leggo
We a hold the fort, come hold the fort
We a hold the fort
Son yes Daddy,
Who is that calling outside,
It's a postman Daddy
What kind of a man is he
Saying that, sons and daughters of His Im
of His Imperial Majesty,
Haile Sel assie
Earth rightful Ruler,
Without any apology say
This is the time, when Ia Ia Ia
Should come home, yes Jah




Come hold the fort
Nay leggo heng on nay leggo

Overall Meaning

The song "African Postman" by Burning Spear is a powerful call for African unity and return to their roots. In the beginning of the song, a son asks his father who is knocking outside, and the father responds that it is an African postman. The postman brings a telegram with a message for all sons and daughters of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie, the Earth rightful Ruler. The telegram urges Africans to come together, hold the fort, and return home.


The African postman is symbolic of the unity and connection that exists between all Africans regardless of their country of origin. The fact that he brings a telegram emphasizes the importance and urgency of the message, which is a call for Africans to recognize their commonalities and strength as a people. The repetition of the phrase "African postman" serves to emphasize the importance of the messenger and the message he brings.


The song is a reminder to Africans that they should not forget their cultural heritage and historical background, but instead embrace it and come together to reclaim their power. The line "Nay leggo heng on" reinforces the need to persevere and hold firm to their beliefs and mission. The song is a powerful anthem that urges unity and strength among Africans, and reminds them of their common roots and goals.


Line by Line Meaning

Son, who is that knocking out there
The singer is asking their son who is making a knocking sound outside


It's an African postman daddy,
The son responds that it is an African postman outside


African postman, ye-s a me brother
The singer considers the African postman as their brother


Woooo a me brother,
The artist is expressing their excitement about seeing their brother


This African post man bring I and I and I a telegram
The African postman delivers an important message to the artist


Telegram say
The singer is about to relay the message they received from the telegram


Sons and daughters of His Imperial Majesty,Haile Selassie
The message is addressed to the offspring of Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia


Earth rightful Ruler
The telegram is acknowledging Haile Selassie as the lawful ruler of the Earth


Without any apology say
The message is delivered without any hint of contrition or regret


This is the time, when I and I and I and should
The message emphasizes that it is the right moment for the artist to take action


Come home, yes Jah
The singer is urged to go back to their ancestral land and reconnect with their roots


Come hold the fort, come hold the fort
The artist is encouraged to hold their ground and remain steadfast


Nay leggo Nay leggo
The singer is exhorted not to let go of their beliefs and principles


Heng on, heng on, heng on, heng on, heng on
The singer is implored to persevere despite any obstacles that may come their way


Come hold the fort we a hold The fort, we a hold the fort
The singer is reassured that they are not alone, and that others are holding the fort with them


Give thanks to this African postman African postman, African postman
The artist expresses their gratitude towards the African postman who delivered the message


The telegram was so interesting and essential and important to I and I as African
The artist underscores the significance of the message they received as an African person


Bless and keep this postman Guidance be with this postman Providence, this African postman a Ia Ia Ia Ia I Brother, African brother
The singer blesses and prays for the African postman who delivered the message, referring to them as a brother


To a brother is a brother, African postman, African postman, African postman Who bring Ia Ia Ia I a telegram
The singer reiterates their familial bond with the African postman, who brought them the telegram


Saying that, sons and daughters of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Earth rightful Ruler Without any apology saying This the time when I and I and I Should come yes Jah Come on hold the fort, we a hold The fort I and I yound Come hold the fort Nay leggo heng on Nay leggo heng on Nay leggo heng on nay leggo We a hold the fort, come hold the fort We a hold the fort
The artist repeats the important message from the telegram that underscores the need for the offspring of Haile Selassie to come together, take action, and hold their ground


Son yes Daddy,
The son confirms that he is listening to the artist


What kind of a man is he
The artist is inquiring about the identity of the African postman who delivered the message




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ZimboChild263


on Nyah Keith

my brothers and sisters,
Let us run away together,
Away, zion I , away,
Away can treat you long,
For we walk to go to the lion,
Where the mill can hold before,
For the wise might knock at your door,
Zion I away,
Zion , i away,
High high high high
Who is higher than high ?
High x4
Who is higher than high
When i am on Zion
Mount zion Has,
All land, Jah Rastafarai

Away can treat you long,
For we walk to go to the lion,
Where the mill can hold before,
For the wise might knock at your door,
Zion I away,
Zion , i away,
High high high high
Who is higher than high ?
High x4
Who is higher than high
When i am on Zion
Mount zion Has,
All land, Jah Rastafarai

Richard maina


on Children

Greetings on of my favorite song, of Rodney

GEORGE MANGANYE


on Appointment With His Majesty

I NAMED MY CHILD RITA MARLEY .EVER SINCE SHE WANT TO MEET THE REAL MOTHER(RITA MARLEY).HOW CAN SHE DO THAT.

GEORGE MANGANYE


on Appointment With His Majesty

IS BROTHER WINSTON RODNEY WATCHING THE XENOPHOBIC ATTACK IN AFRICA.LET HIM COME AND CONVINCE THIS JAH-JAH CHILDREN NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER

GEORGE MANGANYE


on Appointment With His Majesty

I AM INTERESTED IN THE LYRICS(EDUCATION)BY WINSTON RODNEY

Malefu Cathy Motaung


on Loved For Who I Am

I love this song how can i download it pls help

Teba Sinker


on Man In The Hills

Jah Live Jah Guide Jah Protect.

Darren Smith


on Throw Down Your Arms

TOCH MY HEART OH JAH.......JAH RASTAFARI

Darren Smith


on The Invasion

SLAVER DAYS

Hamisi Omari Magala


on Give Me

reggae is like school, you can more thing in the reggae music

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