Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica, as were Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey; who both had a great influence on Rodney's life. Garvey in his philosophy, which Burning Spear greatly took to, and Marley in directly helping Burning Spear get started in the music industry. Burning Spear was originally Rodney's group, named after Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President of an independent Kenya. As fame took hold the name of the group gradually became synonymous with Rodney.
Burning Spear is one of the strongest proponents of Marcus Garvey's self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants, thus leading to several album releases in commemoration of the African activist.
In 2002, Burning Spear and his wife, Sonia Rodney who has produced a number of his albums, founded Burning Spear Records.
Burning Spear advocates messages of honesty, peace, and love, which tie in with his religious and political messages of Rasta and black unity.
About Burning Spear
Burning Music
"I don't know how other people see music," reggae legend Burning Spear reflects. "Some people might see it based upon money, some people might see music based upon opportunity and access. But I see music as life. I see music as inspiration."
For more than 35 years, Burning Spear's music-thus, his life-has inspired people on numerous continents. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions.
OUR MUSIC builds upon the Jamaican native's legacy of musical activism. With its inimitable dancing groove, the album percolates and bubbles rhythmically in its call for unity between races, between nations, between individuals and even between business associates.
OUR MUSIC is the second album released on his Burning Spear label, following 2003's Grammy-nominated FREEMAN. In the midst of its expected messages about love, oppression and African history is the title track, a public confirmation that his brand of positivity is tempered with a strong sense of self. "Our Music" is Burning Spear's reclamation of his own artistry-a justification for establishing his record company and a challenge to all artists to commandeer their own future.
"A lot of artists just have no time to really look within the business section of the music business," Burning Spear reasons. "There's no one to really sit them down and give them some of that business understanding before they get into what they get into. So then people walk all over these artists and do things where it's not appropriate and it's not right. It's not in the artist's love."
With his art and his business now firmly in his own control, Burning Spear's OUR MUSIC stands among the most joyful albums of his career. Bolstered by its throbbing basslines, bright horn parts and slinky female background singers, the songs embrace persistence ("Try Again"), self-analysis ("Friends"), love ("Fix Me") and community ("Together") through deceptively simple lyrics that point to deeper issues. It is, in effect, smart music you can dance to.
"It's like art," he says. "You're gonna paint this thing, and people are gonna look at this art and say that it looks like a tree, looks like a car, some people it looks like a flower. People are gonna say different things according to what they see. It's very different, what it looks like to them."
No matter who looks at Burning Spear's career, they have to be impressed. Of his more than 25 albums, nine have earned Grammy nominations, with one of them - 1999's CALLING RASTAFRI - receiving the Academy's Best Reggae Album honor. And he remains one of the few reggae pioneers still working and influencing the people today.
Born Winston Rodney in St. Ann, Jamaica, he was an early fan of Bob Marley. As the legend goes, Rodney bumped into Marley while walking through a field, and the two began talking about music. Marley encouraged him to visit Jamaica's Studio One, where Rodney and a fellow musician recorded "Door Peep." By the time of its release, Rodney had branded the duo Burning Spear, taking the nickname of Jomo Kenyatta, who was jailed by a colonial British government in Africa but rose to become the first president of Kenya.
"I believe in people who are gonna stand up for what they believe in," Burning Spear notes, "not only for themselves, but for themselves and their people, and that was what Jomo was doing."
Even more central to Burning Spears' mission - and it truly is a mission - was the doctrine of Marcus Garvey, a 20th century figure who pushed for a stronger black race through self-reliance. The Jamaican-born Garvey supported freedom and economic strength for all people, but made the African-originated population his focus and published his views in a New York-based newspaper, Negro World. Garvey was jailed in the 1920s and eventually exiled to Jamaica, though he never lashed out at the system that brought him down. His message survived, influencing the likes of Kenyatta, Martin Luther King Jr., Marley and Burning Spear, which titled some of its seminal albums MARCUS GARVEY and MARCUS' CHILDREN.
"Those men wasn't preachin' any violence," Burning Spear says. "They were preachin' about Oneness and the struggles of black people about where they can live and having their voices heard. I don't see anything wrong with his plan and his direction. I think he opened a lot of eyes and opened a lot of mouths so those people could really talk and their voices could be heard. I think the time is right now to clear his name up and set his record free."
Burning Spear's mission remains rather unchanged today, though the act and the music have undergone some alterations. The duo grew into a trio, but has long since morphed into Burning Spear, a solo artist. And while his music has always been a vehicle for social change, his songs are now increasingly melodic, developed with catchy hooks that use short phrases and point more subtly to internal truths for those willing to go through self-exploration.
The music survives in a much different musical era. The reggae genre, once a distinct idiom unto itself, has been co-opted by artists throughout the years and melded with other pop forms. Artists such as Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Stevie Wonder and UB40 combined it with pop and rock during the '70s and '80s, while Shaggy and Sean Paul have blended it with hip-hop textures in more recent years. Even country man Willie Nelson put together a hybrid album involving Toots Hibbert, of The Maytals.
Those efforts have called attention to the genre, and specifically to those who helped bring reggae to the world in the '70s, including Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Hibbert and Marley. In his time, Marley gave Burning Spear his personal seal of approval, and the Spear continues to maintain a devotion to reggae's roots while continuing his service to Jah.
"I think people have to remember the originals," Burning Spear suggests. "So to be honest, I don't really feel no way about it when people put reggae in a different form. Regardless who's gonna do what with the music, I don't think they interfere with Burning Spear."
OUR MUSIC relies heavily on the roots of the reggae movement.
"What I tried to do with this album, musically and lyrically, is to go back to the '70s, when we were singin' about the history and the culture and the lifestyle of these people," Burning Spear observes. "A lot of Burning Spear songs of that earlier times, people would see as political. To me, it's just a natural thing. As an artist, I just expressed that."
Burning Spear continues his mission of expressing his heart, of entertaining and educating the masses. He cleverly accomplishes that by winning over his listeners' bodies before he impacts their minds. He witnesses that process each time he takes the stage.
"You see the head start to nod, you start to see one movement from one of these legs down here and another one, 'til the whole body just gets involved in the whole thing," he laughs. "You have to think about that when you're creatin' the music-you're not just creatin' the music for people to sit back and listen, 'Oh, that's all good and that's bad.' You need people to shake a leg."
As they listen at home and shake legs to OUR MUSIC, listeners will also be swept up with the headiness of Burning Spear's message. The political statements are still there, most obviously in the continued references to Marcus Garvey ("One Marcus" and "Little Garvey").
But OUR MUSIC also contains deeper ideas that penetrate quietly, subtly into the mind before they reach clarity. The bouncy "Friends" asks rather simplistically, "Are you my friend, my neighbor or my enemy?/Who are you? Who are you?" On further reflection, it's obvious that the question is a complex one about societal roles and provocative self-evaluation. "Together" recalls the image of African slaves, shackled together at the ankles, while suggesting that contemporary blacks can still link together figuratively at the elbow in the continued quest for equality. And "Fix Me" embraces the power and essence of love, which Burning Spear sees as the ultimate goal of humanity.
"Love," he says, "is a harmony thing, it's a communication. Love is a link."
Burning Spear's link is a pure one in 2006. Unfettered by someone else's record company, still linked to the roots of reggae and to the ideals of its forefathers, OUR MUSIC points to a better world for those who are oppressed, and for those who simply believe a better world is possible.
"Music," Burning Spear maintains, "is a very important thing. We have to remember that no force is stronger than the music."
Statue of Liberty
Burning Spear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seventies
American strechted forth her hands
And welcome us all
Yes we built and now they refuse us
Yes we can clean it and now they refuse us
Yes they mark us, they su su su
Yes we been there with good intention
Intention
Yes we been there with a educational
Intention
Yes we been there
So many different nationalities been
There too
Never been treated like we do
Never been handled like we do
Never been talked about like we do
We have a no intention to bomb threat
No intention to hijacking
No intention to hostage holding
Chorus:
Statue of Liberty light up your torch
So we can see
If it is a international problem
We want to see
It it is a political problem
We want to see
If it is a island problem
We want to see
If it is a continental problem
We want to see
Chorus
If I am right than I should be right
If I am wrong no argument
Remember people the statue stand
For equal rights and justice
Chorus
We were picking apples many years ago
Picking grapes many years ago
Hospital workers many years ago
Housekeepers many years ago
Chorus
It's not like we begging or demanding
Anything
It's not like we begging or demanding
Anything
It's just an example
It's just an example
Chorus
Chorus
In the forties and the fifties no one
Was fair
In the sixties people start to share
In the seventies we were there
In the nineties immigration get scared
The lyrics to Burning Spear's song "Statue of Liberty" showcase the struggles faced by immigrants in the United States despite being welcomed by the country in the past. The opening lines of the song refer to the time period of the 1950s to the 1970s when America had extended its hand in welcome to immigrants from all over the world. However, the latter part of the song talks about how these immigrants are now being refused, marked, and treated poorly in the present day. Burning Spear sings about how these individuals came to the country with positive intentions such as building, cleaning, and working with good intentions, but are still being treated unfairly.
The repeated chorus of the song, "Statue of Liberty light up your torch so we can see", references the famous statue in New York City that symbolizes freedom and opportunity for immigrants. Burning Spear sings that if there is an issue that is preventing immigrants from receiving equal treatment and justice, then they want to see it. The lyrics also mention how immigrants have contributed to American society in various roles such as apple pickers, grape pickers, hospital workers, and housekeepers, all of which were done many years ago.
The overall message of the song is that immigrants are not demanding or begging for anything but rather just want to be treated fairly and with respect. The song highlights the importance of unity, equal rights, and justice for all.
Line by Line Meaning
In the early fifties and sixties and
Seventies
American strechted forth her hands
And welcome us all
During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, America opened its arms and welcomed immigrants from all around the world.
Yes we built and now they refuse us
Despite helping build the nation, immigrants are now being refused entry.
Yes we can clean it and now they refuse us
Immigrants are being refused even though they have the ability to clean the nation.
Yes they mark us, they su su su
Immigrants are being marked and discriminated against.
Yes we been there with good intention
Yes we been there with a working
Intention
Yes we been there with a educational
Intention
Yes we been there
Immigrants have always come to America with the intention of working hard and receiving education.
So many different nationalities been
There too
Never been treated like we do
Never been handled like we do
Never been talked about like we do
Although many nationalities have migrated to America, none have been treated, handled or talked about as badly as immigrants are now.
We have a no intention to bomb threat
No intention to hijacking
No intention to hostage holding
Immigrants have no intention to commit violent acts or terrorist activities.
Chorus:
Statue of Liberty light up your torch
So we can see
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of justice and equality, and immigrants need its light to shine upon them again.
If it is a international problem
We want to see
It it is a political problem
We want to see
If it is a island problem
We want to see
If it is a continental problem
We want to see
Immigrants want clarity on whether there is an international, political, island or continental problem that is preventing them from being accepted into America.
Chorus
If I am right than I should be right
If I am wrong no argument
Remember people the statue stand
For equal rights and justice
Immigrants just want to be treated fairly and justly according to the values embodied by the Statue of Liberty.
We were picking apples many years ago
Picking grapes many years ago
Hospital workers many years ago
Housekeepers many years ago
Immigrants played important roles in the history and development of America, including picking apples, grapes, working in hospitals and as housekeepers.
Chorus
It's not like we begging or demanding
Anything
It's not like we begging or demanding
Anything
It's just an example
It's just an example
Immigrants aren't begging or demanding anything, they just want to provide an example of how they should be treated fairly.
Chorus
Chorus
In the forties and the fifties no one
Was fair
In the sixties people start to share
In the seventies we were there
In the nineties immigration get scared
During the 40s and 50s, there was little fairness towards immigrants. However, in the 60s people started to share more opportunities. By the 70s, immigrants had arrived, but in the 90s, immigration policies became more restrictive, leaving immigrants feeling afraid.
Contributed by Cameron I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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