nuh build great man
Fantan Mojah Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Intro:)
If you had the power to change just one thing what would it be?

well change the system me see my self as a bless of art of and a mission because i come see it one way (why me Jah Jah)

(Jah Cure:)
Da Da Da Di Di Doe NaNa Na Nea
A whoa yeah, a whoa yeah

(Chorus:)
Dem nuh build great man,
dem only kill great man
Babylon be still ah nuh underate man
some a ball satan, an ah work fi Pope John
Can't let them overcome (x2)

(Verse 1: Jah cure)
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Umandel free I tin-a-so
Nitty Gritty, Poppa Richie yeah,
Can't let them get you down iniquity
country and town it nuh pretty,
Mankind will take your crown cuz dem living shitty, a lucky ting seh rasta nuh licky licky,
Babylon caan let the streets nar trick we yeah
nooo yeah.

(Chorus:)
Dem nuh build great man
dem only kill great man,
Babylon be still ah nuh underate man
some a ball satan, an ah work fi Pope John
Can't let them overcome

Dem nuh build great man,
they only kill great man,
Babylon be still ah nuh underate man
some a ball satan, sayin so de ton,
all a dem work fe Pope John.

(verse 2: Fantan Mojah)
(Oh no no no no)
The more youths dem kill see another one rise and give babylon a surprise...
Bose I, Bose I, Bose I, Bose I, a poverton I children cry.
I pray for equal rights and justice for my people everyday,
Forbidden fruit in the garden,
we have to weed a bound weed a bound
Forbidden fruit in the garden,
we have to weed dem out weed dem out.

(Jah Cure:)
Dem kill Malcom X and Martin Luther King,
a di same ting dem bring off on Rodney King,
Millions vex, still dem couldn't do nothing, king Selassie mi sing yeah.
Some a fling fiya bolt some a flash lightning, king selassie mi king yeah.
Dem caan break the joys or my love within, Selassie I pickney sing yeah.
World a cry for the love we bring an...
(Fantan Mojah)- Rastafari is everyting yeah.
To the powers I will ask the king,
Dem can't do the rasta man a thing.

(Chorus:)
Dem nuh build great man,
they only kill great man,
Babylon be still ah nuh underate man
some a ball Satan an a work fi Pope John
can't let them overcome (x2)

(Verse 3: Jah Cure)
Great is great, should not be underate,
great is great, should be appreciate.
See a birth of greatness try your best to endorse it, don't play bad mind and pass it.
Working dem tricks beg u water in ah basket,
king selassie mi ask this,
Fiya roots and yuh culture dem do not ask this Rasta come fi endorse this yeah... ohhhhh ahhaaaa
Endorse this.... yeah yeah
Babylon dem nuh build we...,
From dem see how we great dem a try hard fi kill we..
But still I'm surviving, Jah Cure Stay alive in yeah...

(Chorus:)
Dem nuh build great man,
they only kill great man
babylon be still ah nuh underate man




some a ball satan an a work fi Pope John,
Can't let dem Overcome...

Overall Meaning

The song 'Nuh Build Great Man' by Fantan Mojah feat. Jah Cure is a powerful commentary on the struggle of great men against oppressive systems that seek to undermine them. The song opens with a thought-provoking question about the power to change one thing, indicating a deep desire for change. The chorus 'Dem nuh build great man, dem only kill great man' refers to the suppression of powerful and influential individuals who challenge the status quo. The authors point out that it is not just individuals who are complicit, but also institutions like Babylon that play a role in the suppression of great men. The verses illustrate how this is happening around the world, with iconic figures like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. being killed, while lesser people thrive. This theme of suppression that turns to violence is further emphasized when the authors mention 'ball satan' and working for 'Pope John.'


The second verse is a plea for youth to rise, as their numbers cannot be stifled so easily. The authors then use the metaphor of forbidden fruit, indicating that it is necessary to weed out the harmful elements that prevent growth. The song, at this point, turns to Selassie, asking him to help protect the Rastafarian movement. Jah Cure further points out how oppressive systems use violence to prevent challenges to their power, calling out Rodney King's brutalization. The third verse is a message of hope and encouragement, calling on people to appreciate greatness and endorse it. The authors suggest there is power in numbers and that the survival of great people depends on their ability to move past the roadblocks.


Line by Line Meaning

If you had the power to change just one thing what would it be?
Asking what would be changed if there was the power to change one thing.


well change the system me see my self as a bless of art of and a mission because i come see it one way (why me Jah Jah)
Changing the system can bless and guide someone in their mission, as they have a specific perspective on it.


Da Da Da Di Di Doe NaNa Na Nea A whoa yeah, a whoa yeah
Repeating syllables and sounds for emphasis and affect.


Dem nuh build great man, dem only kill great man Babylon be still ah nuh underate man some a ball satan, an ah work fi Pope John Can't let them overcome (x2)
The system does not create great people, but destroys them. It is important to not underestimate anyone, as some are working for those who are against justice and equality. It's crucial to not let them win.


Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Umandel free I tin-a-so Nitty Gritty, Poppa Richie yeah, Can't let them get you down iniquity country and town it nuh pretty, Mankind will take your crown cuz dem living shitty, a lucky ting seh rasta nuh licky licky, Babylon caan let the streets nar trick we yeah nooo yeah.
Referencing several influential musicians who were oppressed and shouldn't be brought down by the iniquities of the world. Mankind will try to take away someone's greatness because they live in a bad environment. It's fortunate that Rastafarians don't adhere to unhealthy behaviors. The system shouldn't trick them.


The more youths dem kill see another one rise and give babylon a surprise... Bose I, Bose I, Bose I, Bose I, a poverton I children cry. I pray for equal rights and justice for my people everyday, Forbidden fruit in the garden, we have to weed a bound weed a bound Forbidden fruit in the garden, we have to weed dem out weed dem out.
The more the system oppresses the youth, the more of them will rise and surprise the oppressors. Praying for justice and equal rights everyday. Referring to the biblical garden and the removal of unhealthy influences.


Dem kill Malcom X and Martin Luther King, a di same ting dem bring off on Rodney King, Millions vex, still dem couldn't do nothing, king Selassie mi sing yeah. Some a fling fiya bolt some a flash lightning, king selassie mi king yeah. Dem caan break the joys or my love within, Selassie I pickney sing yeah. World a cry for the love we bring an... (Fantan Mojah)- Rastafari is everyting yeah. To the powers I will ask the king, Dem can't do the rasta man a thing.
Referencing the killing of influential people who fought against oppression. People may be rightfully angry, but the oppressors can't do anything about it. Referring to the strength of love and joy within. Rastafari is important. Affirming that the oppressors cannot harm Rastafarians.


Great is great, should not be underate, great is great, should be appreciate. See a birth of greatness try your best to endorse it, don't play bad mind and pass it. Working dem tricks beg u water in ah basket, king selassie mi ask this, Fiya roots and yuh culture dem do not ask this Rasta come fi endorse this yeah... ohhhhh ahhaaaa Endorse this.... yeah yeah Babylon dem nuh build we..., From dem see how we great dem a try hard fi kill we.. But still I'm surviving, Jah Cure Stay alive in yeah...
Greatness should not be underestimated and should be appreciated. When seeing a birth of greatness, one must try to support and not be against it. The system tries to take away from those who possess greatness, but they are still surviving and staying alive.




Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@oneikadoll8172

😂😂 I remember as a child that I was in a music video in Tivoli Garden but didn’t know which one, at 24 today age I found it. I’m the little girl in the white dress, lol this brings back so much memories 🤣🔥🔥

@iribblack2067

😤

@webbawebba8833

That is such a beautiful life growth experience
Thanx for sharing

@reppintrini3576

Blessings empress.jah bless

@wendymahadeo8547

Nuff respect ❤❤

@apollonialightfoot3945

Hwh
sjevsb s s

13 More Replies...

@josephkabange6316

Jah cure put everything in this tune, his soul, his hunger his frustrations and his gift. Gifted

@unknownannouncement394

Real chat

@jamwashjoni2355

That's for sure

@ibbaisie6900

2023 still listening 🇸🇷

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