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.
Jah Love Me
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you love me yea
I live a Jahful way
Do you love me yea
I grow my Natty Dreadlocks
Do you love me yah
I give Praises so high
Do you love me yea
Dem a grudge me yah
Word a judge me yea
Mind cracking system
But they don't care
We are the victim
The wears and tears yea
I don't mind what the heathen say
Jah Jah love me yah
I don't mind what they su-su say
Jah Jah love me
In Israel Vibration's song Jah Love Me, the lyrics seem to be a combination of self-affirmation and defiance against those who judge and criticize. The opening lines, "Now you see my face, do you love me yea?" suggest that the singer is questioning whether or not he is accepted for who he is, and seeks validation from those around him. However, this need for validation is quickly subsided as the lyrics follow with "I live a Jahful way" and "I grow my Natty Dreadlocks," indicating that the singer finds pride and fulfillment in his Rastafarian lifestyle. He continues to assert his devotion to Jah by claiming "I give praises so high" and "I take arise in love with Jah," expressing his love and gratitude for his faith.
In the next verse, the song takes a more confrontational tone as the singer describes the judgement and persecution he faces from those who do not understand or approve of his way of life. The line "Dem a grudge me yah" suggests that others envy or resent him, while "word a judge me yea" implies that others are quick to criticize and form opinions without truly knowing him. The lyric "mind cracking system but they don't care" highlights the oppressive systems he faces, but the message of the song remains one of resilience and defiance. He states that "Jah Jah love me," asserting that his love and devotion to Jah is what gives him strength and guides him in the face of adversity.
Overall, the song Jah Love Me by Israel Vibration is a powerful affirmation of Rastafarian identity and an assertion of love and devotion to Jah. It is a call to those who may judge or criticize to instead recognize the value and beauty of difference and diversity, and an affirmation of self-worth and strength in the face of persecution.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you see my face
Do you accept me now that you can see me?
Do you love me yea
Will you love me and accept me for who I am?
I live a Jahful way
I live my life in accordance with Jah's teachings.
Do you love me yea
Will you continue to love and accept me?
I grow my Natty Dreadlocks
I choose to wear my hair in the traditional Rastafarian style.
Do you love me yah
Do you still accept and love me, even though I may look different?
I give Praises so high
I express my gratitude and praise to Jah in an enthusiastic and devout manner.
Do you love me yea
Will you still accept and love me, even though my devotion to Jah may seem intense?
I take arise in love with Jah
I find strength and inspiration in my love for Jah.
Dem a grudge me yah
There are those who dislike or resent me for my beliefs and lifestyle.
Word a judge me yea
Some people criticize and condemn me for the way I live my life.
Mind cracking system
The oppressive societal and political systems are overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
But they don't care
Those in power are indifferent to the struggles of those they oppress.
We are the victim
The marginalized and oppressed are the ones who suffer under the current system.
The wears and tears yea
The toll of the struggle is visible in our physical and emotional exhaustion.
I don't mind what the heathen say
I am not bothered by the opinions of those who do not share my faith.
Jah Jah love me yah
I am secure in the knowledge that Jah loves and accepts me.
I don't mind what they su-su say
I do not care about the negative opinions and whispers of those who condemn me.
Jah Jah love me
I am loved and accepted by Jah, and that is enough.
Contributed by John 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