Calling Rastafari
Burning Spear Lyrics


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Calling Rastafari
Calling Rastafari
Sons and daughters of His Majesty

Rastafari want one executive body
To represent all Rasta man
To represent all Rasta woman
To represent all Rasta people

Chorus

Nyabingi-one Rasta
Shante Shante Shante-one Rasta
Twelve Tribe of Israel-one Rasta
Bobo-one Rasta
African Federation-one Rasta

Chorus

We talk about
Repatriation is a must
It's not physical
It's educational

Chorus

We got talk about the need for
A leadership
To be a leader a big responsability
His Majesty know yes it's true

Jah Jah know we were chanting African
Before His Majesty come to Jamaica

Chorus

We are going around and around
And around
Getting confusing
Action positive action
No disrespect
Remember our plan
Remember our plan

Chorus





Chorus

Overall Meaning

Burning Spear's song "Calling Rastafari" is a call to action for unification and leadership within the Rastafari movement. The song's opening lines, "Calling Rastafari, calling Rastafari, sons and daughters of His Majesty," directly address the Rastafari community and acknowledge their connection to Emperor Haile Selassie I, whom they believe to be the messiah promised in the Bible.


The song then goes on to discuss the need for a single executive body to represent all Rastafarians, regardless of their tribe or group affiliation. This message is reinforced in the chorus, which lists various Rasta groups but emphasizes that they are all united under the banner of Rastafari. Burning Spear also touches on the idea of repatriation, which is a key tenet of Rastafari belief. He suggests that this repatriation should be educational rather than physical, perhaps meaning that the focus should be on learning and teaching rather than relocating to Ethiopia or another African nation.


The final verses of "Calling Rastafari" urge Rastafarians to take positive action and remember their plan, while also acknowledging the responsibility that comes with leadership. The song is a passionate plea for unity within the movement and a rallying cry for positive change.


Line by Line Meaning

Calling Rastafari
Invoking the essence of the Rastafari movement


Calling Rastafari
Continuing to invoke the essence of the Rastafari movement


Sons and daughters of His Majesty
The followers of Rastafari, who consider Emperor Haile Selassie I as a divine figure


Rastafari want one executive body
The Rasta community desires a single governing entity to represent their interests


To represent all Rasta man
This body should represent all male Rasta individuals


To represent all Rasta woman
This body should represent all female Rasta individuals


To represent all Rasta people
This body should represent all people who identify as Rasta


Nyabingi-one Rasta
Nyabingi is a sect of the Rasta movement, and this line acknowledges their presence


Shante Shante Shante-one Rasta
Shante is another Rasta group and is also being acknowledged


Twelve Tribe of Israel-one Rasta
The 'Twelve Tribes of Israel' is a Rasta group and is also being acknowledged


Bobo-one Rasta
The Bobo Shanti is a Rasta group and is also being acknowledged


African Federation-one Rasta
The African Federation is a group that Rastafarians recognize as being important to their movement


We talk about
The following lines will provide discussion on a topic


Repatriation is a must
Rastafarians believe it is crucial to return to Africa, the ancestral homeland from which many slaves were taken


It's not physical
This return is not simply moving bodies from one location to another, but rather involves a spiritual connection to the land and culture of Africa


It's educational
The process of repatriation includes learning about African history and culture


We got talk about the need for
Continuing to discuss the importance of


A leadership
Having a governing body to guide the Rastafari movement


To be a leader a big responsability
Being a leader involves significant duties and obligations


His Majesty know yes it's true
His Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I, understands the importance of strong leadership in the Rastafari movement


Jah Jah know we were chanting African
Rastafarians have been incorporating African culture and history into their musical and cultural practices for a long time


Before His Majesty come to Jamaica
This practice was established long before the Emperor's visit to Jamaica in 1966, which many Rastafarians consider an important moment in their history


We are going around and around
We are discussing a topic in circles


And around
Continuing to discuss this topic without making progress


Getting confusing
The discussion is becoming difficult to follow


Action positive action
We need to take concrete steps towards our goals


No disrespect
We should maintain respect for one another in our discussions


Remember our plan
We need to keep our goals and objectives in mind throughout our discussion


Remember our plan
Reiterating the importance of maintaining focus on our objectives


Chorus
The refrain of the song, repeated throughout several verses




Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@steveperera6974

Sons and daughters of his majesty❤ Greetings from Lynwood Ca.

@matsobaneseloi8

Keep that spear burning..... I really love this old man 's music!!!!!!

@sandranitta6336

remembering all the roots and reggae kings u r the best rockers high salute to you

@albeez1844

nov 29 2018 Jah bless rastaz from east africa tanzania

@ssenyongarogermo6288

Sons and daughters of his Majesty ✊🏾 keep the spear burning 🔥 #NafRespect

@kimutaiboit8516

We were chanting Africa (even) before His (Imperial) Majesty came to Jamaica 🇯🇲

@mambostephen4725

Respect big man outa reggae music... One Jah

@frankhoffa8356

Sijui maana lakini kimsingi huyu mzee alikuwa safisana

@jasondean383

One love bless up

@tednetnetworks6974

sons and daughters of his majesty

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