Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley (born July 21, 1978 in Kingston, Jama… Read Full Bio ↴Damian Robert Nesta "Jr. Gong" Marley (born July 21, 1978 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian Marley is the youngest son of reggae legend Bob Marley.

Damian was two years old when his father Bob died; he is the only child born to Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976. Damian's nickname Junior Gong is derived from his father's nickname of Tuff Gong. Damian has been performing since the age of 13 and released his first album in 1996, at the age of 18. He shares, along with most of his family, a full-time career in music. Unlike his brothers and sisters, however, his musical specialty is "toasting", a Jamaican vocal technique that is a predecessor to rapping.

Damian has 3 records to date, including the highest placed reggae album in the USA billboard album charts with Welcome To Jamrock, and the highest place reggae song in the UK Top 40 with Welcome to Jamrock.

Like his father before him and the rest of the Marley family, he is a Rastafarian and his music reflects the Rastafari guiding principles of love and political freedom.

Carnal Mind
Damian Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Zion, Holy mount Zion, Zion
Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Me say dash your badness, and your bad mind,
The carnal mind, have to stay behind,
So honor your mamma and your father,
Or else your days will feel longer,
Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,

Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Oh, when me constantly can't, then
You can't go to Zion with no carnal mind, Carnal mind have to be left back behind,
Can't go to Zion with no chain and ring, Your chain and ring have to go to the mountain,
You can't go to Zion with no portable phone, portable phone have to be left back…
You can't go to Zion with no big rusty nine, Big rusty nine have to be left back behind.
Emperor Selassie so pure and divine, emperor Samiga splendid all the time,
Look into the scripture and see what you find, Look at the Revelations Chapters five verse five,
Same root of David is Salomon line, Salomon seed, and Salomon Spine, of ancient receipts of cure rude swine,
And come down the humans say one more time,
Owww.
The prophet has raised again,
Aww..
Owww.
The prophet has raised again,
Awww.
Ah when me constantly can't then you can't go to Zion with no carnal mind, Carnal mind have to be left back behind,
Can't go to Zion with no chain and ring, Your chain and ring have to go to the mountain,
You can't go to Zion with no portable phone, portable phone have to be left back…
You can't go to Zion with no big 45, the big 45 have to be left back behind.
The eagle and the bear, and all the dragon combined, implied jizabell, and them
Grow concubine, can't see the truth them must be blind, them blind.
Just read about the news in Revelations Nine, and ell me how you feel about the black star line,
Better pack your bag for a mountain climb, and all of them playaz and still them rewind.
You walk with your nine keep one thing in mind
Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,

You see, no either … and make your life more comfortable chapter a day keep all evil away, and listen to the prophet and hear what him say, Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire, Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
You can't go to Zion with no carnal mind, Carnal mind have to be left back behind,
Can't go to Zion with no chain and ring, Your chain and ring have to go to the mountain,
You can't go to Zion with no portable phone, portable phone have to be left back at home
You can't go to Zion with no big rusty nine, Big rusty nine have to be left back behind.
Give me the microphone and burn down Rome, and all of them Churches which cast them stone,

And fight against the lion of the royal throne,the Vatican city become the danger zone, the world become a graveyard of skulls and bones and mount Zion is the the safest crown. Upon a holy mountain the city was found, that's where the most high choice to wear him crown.
The prophet has rised again

Overall Meaning

Damian Marley's song "Carnal Mind" is a call to embrace spirituality and let go of material possessions and negative thoughts that could lead to destruction. The lyrics stress the importance of going to Zion, a biblical reference to a place of spiritual elevation, instead of burning in the fire. Marley urges listeners to let go of their "badness" and "bad mind" and honor their parents. The lyrics also highlight the need to leave behind physical possessions like chains, rings, portable phones, and guns, and focus on the spiritual journey towards Zion.

The song also makes references to biblical figures like Emperor Selassie, King David, and King Solomon, who are seen as models of spiritual purity and wisdom. Marley warns against the dangers presented by the "eagle and the bear" and "all the dragon combined" which represent political and economic systems that undermine spiritual growth. He advocates for a return to a simpler way of life, one that is rooted in spirituality and community.

Overall, "Carnal Mind" is a powerful call to action that challenges listeners to examine their values and priorities and embrace spirituality as a means to achieve true freedom and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Zion, Holy mount Zion, Zion
Referring to a holy place that one should aspire to go to

Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Going to Zion is preferable to facing the consequences of bad deeds

Me say dash your badness, and your bad mind,
Getting rid of negative thoughts and actions is necessary for spiritual growth

The carnal mind, have to stay behind,
Worldly desires and behaviors should be left behind when seeking spiritual growth

So honor your mamma and your father, Or else your days will feel longer,
Respecting parents is important for a happy life

Oh, when me constantly can't, then You can't go to Zion with no carnal mind, Carnal mind have to be left back behind,
You cannot reach spiritual growth with a worldly mindset

Can't go to Zion with no chain and ring, Your chain and ring have to go to the mountain,
Material possessions should not be taken on a spiritual journey

You can't go to Zion with no portable phone, portable phone have to be left back…
Distractions such as technology should be left behind when seeking spiritual growth

You can't go to Zion with no big rusty nine, Big rusty nine have to be left back behind.
Weapons and violence should not be a part of a spiritual journey

Emperor Selassie so pure and divine, emperor Samiga splendid all the time,
Referencing religious figures as positive examples

Look into the scripture and see what you find, Look at the Revelations Chapters five verse five,
Encouraging the study of religious texts

Same root of David is Salomon line, Salomon seed, and Salomon Spine, of ancient receipts of cure rude swine,
Referencing biblical figures and their lineage while making a metaphorical statement about curing negative behavior

And come down the humans say one more time,
Repeating the message for emphasis

The prophet has raised again,
Referencing a religious leader

The eagle and the bear, and all the dragon combined, implied jizabell, and them Grow concubine, can't see the truth them must be blind, them blind.
Referencing negative influences and stating that they may be blinded to the truth

Just read about the news in Revelations Nine, and ell me how you feel about the black star line,
Encouraging the study of religious texts and discussing personal interpretations

Better pack your bag for a mountain climb, and all of them playaz and still them rewind.
Preparing for a spiritual journey while others remain stagnant

You walk with your nine keep one thing in mind Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
A warning against violence and a reaffirmation that spiritual growth is more important than temporary pleasures

You see, no either … and make your life more comfortable chapter a day keep all evil away, and listen to the prophet and hear what him say, Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire, Better to go to Zion, More then burn in a fire,
Encouraging self-improvement and following the teachings of religious leaders

Give me the microphone and burn down Rome, and all of them Churches which cast them stone,
Using metaphorical language to express the desire to eliminate institutionalized religion and oppression

And fight against the lion of the royal throne,the Vatican city become the danger zone, the world become a graveyard of skulls and bones and mount Zion is the the safest crown.
Referencing negative aspects of religious institutions and reinforcing the idea that spiritual growth is necessary for safety

Upon a holy mountain the city was found, that's where the most high choice to wear him crown.
Referencing a holy place where spiritual growth can be found and respected

The prophet has rised again
Repetition of previous lyrics

Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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