He started out in the mid-1980s deejaying on various sound systems and even recording the occasional track under the moniker "Little Bimbo". By the first part of the 90s, his locks had grown out and he went from deejay to singer, changing his name to Garnett Silk.
Silk was born Garnett Daymon Smith (2 April, 1966) in the Brumalia district of Mandeville, Jamaica. He was taken under the wing of Rasta deejay Tony Rebel and introduced to Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system, which had a hand in recruiting many young acts who later became international stars.
Along with Rebel, Silk reintroduced Rastafarianism into a dancehall scene which by 1992 had become nearly overwrought with X-rated and violent lyrics. He burst on the scene recording many hit tunes and albums, including "Nothing Can Divide Us", "It's Growing" and "100% Silk".
Tragically a fire at his mother's house on 9 December 1994 killed both Garnett and his mother (with Garnett first escaping then giving up his own life trying to save his mother's). The Jamaican reggae scene was shocked by his death and it is a testament to his talent and his amazing voice that his music is still selling worldwide today, possibly stronger now than it did before his untimely demise.
Babylon Be Still
Garnett Silk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon be still.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without
him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light
of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not...
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came
power to become the sons of God...
Jah Rastafari, Haile Selassie the First.
Who was born not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of the will of God.
Full of grace and truth. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among I and I and I and I.
And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.
King Haile Selassie I
King Haile
Oh God, he is Christ
Christ in his kingly character
Christ in his kingly character
Tell...
There is no other
There is no other
There is no other
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord God Jah the Almighty loveth the gates of
Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of
God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold
Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said,
This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord
God Jah the Almighty Haile Selassie, our Father's chanted redeemer shall count, when he
writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the
players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
Oh well now...
Babylon be still while I blow this trumpet.
Babylon be still while I blow this trumpet.
Bobalon be still.
Can't give I your pill.
Want to see I be killed.
Oh well now...
Give thanks and praise to the Most High always!
And I know Jah will help in your days.
This is no time to gaze.
No, no, no.
No time to gaze.
Play rasta song
All the day long
And you'll be strong
To carry on, yes...
The song Babylon Be Still by Garnett Silk is a powerful message to the Babylon system, which in Rastafarian culture refers to the oppressive, corrupt structure of society that keeps black people down. The opening line calls on Babylon, or the corrupt system, to be still while the trumpet is blown, symbolizing a call to awaken to the truth. The lyrics then move to a recitation of the biblical passage from John 1:1-14, which speaks of the Word of God becoming flesh and living among humanity. Silk connects this to Haile Selassie, the former Emperor of Ethiopia who many Rastafarians believe to be a messianic figure who will lead them to liberation.
Line by Line Meaning
Babylon be still while I blow this trumpet.
Be quiet, Babylon, and listen to me as I speak the truth.
Babylon be still.
Be quiet and listen, Babylon.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word of God existed at the beginning of time and was equal to God himself.
The same that was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without
him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light
of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not...
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came
unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God...
The Word created everything and was the source of life and light in the world, but many people didn't recognize him. However, those who did recognize and accept him were given the power to become children of God.
Jah Rastafari, Haile Selassie the First.
Blessed be the name of Jah, also known as Haile Selassie the First.
Who was born not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of the will of God.
Full of grace and truth. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among I and I and I and I.
And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.
Jesus Christ was born through the will of God, and he was full of grace and truth. He came to live among us and we saw his glory, as though he were God's one and only son.
King Haile Selassie I
Haile Selassie the First was the king of Ethiopia.
King Haile
Haile Selassie the First was a king.
Oh God, he is Christ
Haile Selassie the First was believed by Rastafarians to be the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Christ in his kingly character
Like Jesus Christ, Haile Selassie the First was seen as a king among men.
Christ in his kingly character
Haile Selassie the First was seen as both a king and a Christ-like figure.
Tell...
What message do you have to share?
There is no other
There is no one else like Haile Selassie the First.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord God Jah the Almighty loveth the gates of
Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of
God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold
Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said,
This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord
God Jah the Almighty Haile Selassie, our Father's chanted redeemer shall count, when he
writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the
players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
God's holy city is important to him, and Haile Selassie the First was born in Ethiopia, which is just as important. Everyone who praises God, including musicians, will be there.
Oh well now...
Now listen closely.
Can't give I your pill.
You can't control me or change my beliefs.
Want to see I be killed.
Some people want me to die because of my beliefs.
Give thanks and praise to the Most High always!
Always give thanks and praise to God.
And I know Jah will help in your days.
I believe that God will help you in your time of need.
This is no time to gaze.
Don't waste time, there's too much work to be done.
No, no, no.
Absolutely not.
No time to gaze.
It's time to act, not just sit and watch.
Play rasta song
All the day long
And you'll be strong
To carry on, yes...
Listening to reggae music, which often has Rastafarian themes, can give you the strength you need to keep going through difficult times.
Writer(s): Garnett Smith Copyright: Df & A Publishing
Contributed by Elizabeth D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Namisa Ra
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6 The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
Psalm 87:1
Boss Bxtch Vanderquez
One of the greatest artist .. His songs send out positive messages. I'll Garnett Silk S.I.P
davio2k0
I still get tears in my eyes for this brother. We love and miss u... Immortality is yours for the keeping...
Yvonne Dixon
Jah bless, may Garnet Silk soul rest in peace - greetings and salutation to the most high. Much love ❤😊
Jenelle Garraway
My question is... Did he know he would be a prophet to The People of The World? So sad Garnett had to be taken away in such a horrible way. Blessings to his family and he is saving souls all over the world. Blessings for this upload.
Wesley Miller
I call him the Spiritual being..This man only speak of greatness ...His works lives on
Anka Brown
Happy Birthday Dennis Brown...1st February 2020..The Undisputed King of Reggae... The greatest classical music ever presented to the world..by a People born out of brutality..hatred..and greed..and look how we paid them back.. with amazing music and endless Blessed Love. Thank you for sharing.
T Jones
You are so so right. Selah. Beautiful prayer
meditation1able
Deeply moving and UPLIFTING.
Jemiah
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Praise the one and only true living God !!
beverley brathwaite
Keep Rising Jah People 🌹👑❤️💫🐝