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.
Jericho
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gave a great speech, yeah
Then you kill them with your promises.
Sufferation to the max is
The only thing that increases.
How long you gonna hold the veil
Over my people?s eyes ?
How long you gonna sit over there and tell your bag a bull lies ?
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went?
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent?
It takes a revolution sometimes to mend a solution,
And it?s my conclusion it is the only solution
You sit up in your high rise yeah
Inna your jacket and your neck tie
You don't care about the sufferer?s cry.
It?s time you realize.
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent
How long you think you can hold the veil
Over the children eyes ?
How long can you sit over there and tell them a bag a bull lies ?
You sit up in your high rise yeah
Inna your jacket and your neck tie
You don't care about the sufferer?s cry.
It?s time you realize.
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent
A fateful promise, yeah, is just a comfort to a fool.
How long you gonna sit over there and tell your bag a bull lies ?
Israel Vibration's song "Jericho" speaks to a common theme in reggae music - the struggle against oppression and the fight for justice. The lyrics of this particular song are a scathing indictment of those in power who make promises they don't keep, while the poor suffer and struggle to survive. The opening line establishes the tone for the rest of the song - "A faithful promise, yeah, is just a comfort to a fool." The singer is warning against putting too much trust in promises made by those in power, suggesting that it is foolish to believe in the sincerity of those who would make promises they do not intend to fulfill.
The song then goes on to describe the suffering of the people, and the frustration of those who see the injustices but are powerless to do anything about it. The repeated refrain of "Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went" and "Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent" suggests that the people are rising up against the powers that be, and that a revolution is on the horizon. The lyrics suggest that this revolution is necessary to bring about change, and that it is the only way to address the deep-rooted issues that have led to such widespread suffering.
Overall, "Jericho" is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to seek justice and to stand up against oppression. The lyrics are filled with anger and frustration, but also with hope and the belief that change is possible. It is a song that has resonated with generations of reggae fans, and that continues to be relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
A faithful promise, yeah, is just a comfort to a fool.
Making promises to the gullible only serves to comfort them momentarily.
You gave a great speech, yeah
You may speak convincingly.
Then you kill them with your promises.
But your promises are not backed up by your actions.
Sufferation to the max is
Those who suffer are suffering to the maximum degree.
The only thing that increases.
And their suffering is only getting worse.
How long you gonna hold the veil
How much longer will you deceive the people?
Over my people?s eyes ?
How much longer will you keep them blind to the truth?
How long you gonna sit over there and tell your bag a bull lies ?
How much longer will you keep lying to the people?
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went?
In Jericho, the children of Jah went forth.
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent?
In Jericho, African people opposed the powers that be.
It takes a revolution sometimes to mend a solution,
Revolution can be necessary to bring about meaningful change.
And it?s my conclusion it is the only solution
It is the artist's conclusion that revolution is the only way.
You sit up in your high rise yeah
You are comfortable in your luxury apartment.
Inna your jacket and your neck tie
You dress in expensive clothes.
You don't care about the sufferer?s cry.
You are indifferent to the cries of the oppressed.
It?s time you realize.
It is time for you to acknowledge the suffering around you.
How long you think you can hold the veil
How long do you plan on continuing your deceit?
Over the children eyes ?
How long will you keep the youth blind to the truth?
You sit up in your high rise yeah
You continue to live in luxury.
Inna your jacket and your neck tie
Dressing expensively has not changed.
You don't care about the sufferer?s cry.
You remain indifferent to the oppressed.
It?s time you realize.
It is time for you to see the suffering around you.
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, Jah children went
In Jericho, the children of Jah marched forward.
Ho Ho Ho Jericho, African dissent
In Jericho, African people opposed the powers that be.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID HARRIS, MALIK SPENCE, RICHARD TOLBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Sit up in your high rise with your jacket and your neck tie.