After going their separate ways, and each converting to the Rastafari movement, they reunited in Kingston and formed a vocal group. Funding for their first album came in the form of a grant from the Twelve Tribes of Israel branch of Rastafari after Hugh Booth, a member of the Twelve Tribes, had overheard the three men singing in a wooded area outside Kingston. Apple and Wiss were living in the area, which they had converted into a home.
Israel Vibration recorded three albums; "The Same Song", "Unconquered People", and "Why You So Craven" before temporarily disbanding in 1981 after recording sessions for the latter were left incomplete. The three men moved to the United States to seek professional health care and escape the growing Dancehall movement in Jamaica. In 1988, Gary "Dr. Dread" Himmelfarb, founder of RAS Records, urged the trio to reunite and record an album. Skelly, Apple, and Wiss were flown to Washington, D.C. to record a new album at Lion and Fox Recording Studios. "Strength of my Life", the group's fourth album and first of 18 CD releases on the RAS label, was met with great praise and is considered one of the few post-golden era touchstones of the roots reggae genre.
In 1997, Apple Gabriel left the group to pursue a solo career. Skelly and Wiss continue to record albums and tour the world as Israel Vibration, backed by longtime associates Roots Radics.
Highway Robbery
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every, every day
Just as the vulture waits on its prey now
For where you find air, you got to obey
Don't you disobey
It's not my wish, I don't wanna stay now
Let me tell you,
And am I gonna have to take it to higher authority
Higher authority
Say highway robberey
Highway robbery
Highway roberry
Highway robbery
Some a dem come like thief in the night
Some a do it on a broad day light
Oh my God, that can't be right tell me, why I'm getting all this fight.
Hey sheriff, deputy come bugging me
And am I gonna have to take it, take it to higher authority
Higher authority
Say highway roberey
Highway robbery
Highway roberry
Highway robbery
I get sticked on a road block
I get sticked on a curfew
And everything that they tried to do
Because it was just a wary school
In Israel Vibration's song Highway Robbery, the lyrics speak to the everyday oppression faced by marginalized communities. The opening lines, "Them prey on my flesh everyday, every, every day," illustrate the constant struggle and exploitation faced by those who are not in positions of power. The comparison of these oppressors to vultures waiting for their prey is a powerful metaphor for those who profit from the suffering of others.
The lyrics also emphasize the necessity of following the rules imposed by those in power, "For where you find air, you got to obey, don't you disobey." This line reflects the belief that survival often means complying with oppressive systems and accepting the injustices that come with them.
The chorus, "Say highway robbery," is repeated throughout the song, and serves as a clear indictment of the systemic oppression faced by the song's narrator. The phrase "highway robbery" is typically used to describe theft or robbery that occurs on the open road, but in this context, the phrase takes on a new meaning. The systematic exploitation of marginalized groups, which robs them of opportunity, equality, and justice, is a form of highway robbery that demands attention and resistance.
Overall, the lyrics of Highway Robbery are a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Them prey on my flesh everyday
Everyday, someone is taking advantage of me.
Every, every day
This happens frequently, there is no relief.
Just as the vulture waits on its prey now
Those who are taking advantage are just waiting for me to slip up.
For where you find air, you got to obey
In order to survive, we must obey the rules of society.
Don't you disobey
Breaking the rules will only lead to trouble.
It's not my wish, I don't wanna stay now
I don't want to continue living under these circumstances.
Let me tell you,
I have a story to share with you.
Hey sheriff, deputy come bugging me
Law enforcement agents are bothering me.
And am I gonna have to take it to higher authority
I may need to escalate this issue to a higher power to address the situation.
Higher authority
I need someone with more power and influence to help me.
Say highway robberey
This feels like a case of being robbed on the highway.
Some a dem come like thief in the night
Some of them are sneaky and take advantage when I least expect it.
Some a do it on a broad day light
Others don't even try to hide their wrongdoing and do it out in the open.
Oh my God, that can't be right tell me, why I'm getting all this fight.
This can't be fair, why am I constantly receiving this kind of treatment.
I get sticked on a road block
I am often stopped by law enforcement on the roadway.
I get sticked on a curfew
I am unfairly punished for being out past a certain time.
And everything that they tried to do
Their tactics are not working to stop me from living my life.
Because it was just a wary school
The reasons for their actions are not justified and are just based on suspicion.
Say highway robbery
This all feels like a blatant act of robbery and mistreatment.
Highway robbery
This is an unfair and unjust treatment that is happening on the roadway.
Highway robbery
This is a robbery of my safety, rights, and dignity while travelling on the highway.
Highway robbery
This happens too frequently as if it's planned and done by robbers on the highway.
Writer(s): CECIL SPENCE
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Garvey Ufot
on Friday Evening
Oh may take a while, Rasta
Oh rabam rabam bastira
Give thanks that you can find it in this time
It′s Friday evening, can't even find a dime, yeah
I say I feel like committing a crime, nooo
Still I know Jah will never leave me behind, no way
Pickney deh a-yard, seh dem waan food
(Friday evening) hey, hey (so deceiving)
Wife a cuss landlord, seh dem get rude
(Friday evening) hey, hey (unbelieving)
I man a-find it hard, in a bad mood
Woah, yeah
Give thanks that you can find your fish and bread (Friday evening, yeah)
It′s Friday evening and I man belly well red (seh the system dread)
I man so hungry, I man a-get swell head, yeah
Can't 'member when I've eaten fish and bread, nooo, hey
Stera stera sterara tenam
Stare stera stare tera tena
Stera stera sterara stera
Woah, woah, woah yeh
Pickney deh a-yard, seh dem waan food
(Friday evening) hey, hey (so deceiving)
Wife a cuss landlord, seh dem get rude
(Friday evening) hey, hey (unbelieving)
I man a-find it hard, in a bad mood
Woah oh, woah oh
Give thanks that you can find your fish and bread (Friday evening, yeah)
It′s Friday evening and I man belly well red (seh the system dread)
I man so hungry, I man a-get swell head, yeah
Can't 'member when I've eaten fish and bread, nooo
Friday evening, yeah (Friday evening)
Can′t even find a dime (so deceiving)
Friday evening, yeah (Friday evening)
Can't really get what′s mine (unbelieving)
It's Friday evening, yeah (Friday evening)
I don′t enjoy it, anyway (Natty crying)
Friday evening, yeah (Friday evening)
Man feel like destroy it, hey, hey (nothing eating)
It's Friday evening (Friday evening)
Woah oh, woah oh, oh, oh, oh (so deceiving)
It's Friday evening (Friday evening)
Woah oh (unbelieving)
It′s Friday evening, yeah (Friday evening)
Weche
on back staba
You skin up your teeth with I and you don't like the rasta dreadlocks
Jacob said we inna tenament yard a bagga wolf de amongst the dread
Licky Licky laba laba susu susu
Demma backstabba
Me back bigger than your dartboard, ooh
You wet your mouth like I told u so
..........
Bredda Michael
on Ball Of Fire
Ahhh-ah-ah,
Ahh-ah,
Ahh-ah.
Say, say, say, now.
(CHORUS) 2X
Ball,
Ball of fire,
Ball of fire,
Gonna…
Clap up inna Babylon.
Ten thousand
Careless Ethiopians,
Went down…
Down inna ground…
Hey-hey,
Hey, Big man,
Your ‘ealth, nor your wealth can save you now (cyan’ save you)
Drivin' in your big limo trap,
Chauffeur-driven an’ you sittin' in di back (when you wake up in fire).
Inna dem a-time, I know,
Fire gonna burn mi den… (gonna burn mi easy).
I-a congo natty rastaman know
That it-a gonna be dread.
(CHORUS)
You can seh yuh know…
Ten thousand
Careless Ethiopians,
Went down…
Down inna ground…
Hey, Big Man
Your ‘ealth, nor your wealth can save you now. (cyan’ save you)
Drivin' in your big Cadillac,
You’re chauffeur-driven an’ you jammin' in di back (when you wake up in fire)
Where ya gonna run?
When this-a fire start to burn? (gonna burn mi easy).
Ten thousand careless Ethiopians,
Went down with Babylon.
(CHORUS)
Where ya gonna run? Where ya gonna run?
When this-a fire, this-a fire start to bu’n?
Ten thousand careless Ethiopians
Clap up inna Babylon.
To di rock,
Waan di Christ for ‘imself
When a fire isn’t the worst, it’s something else
Weh ya gonna run? Weh ya gonna run?
When this-a fire, this-a fire start to bu’n?
James Bouryiotis
on Why Worry
these are entirely different lyrics!
Paul Salcido
on I'll Go Through
These are not the lyrics!!!!
Mitchell Nobles
on Red Eyes
i love the music everything i go in the street..
Eh Shehu
on My Master's Will
good weed boy