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.
Love Makes A Good Man
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetheart, I know should be learning.
But my pockets were full of money.
And I had someone to call my honey.
But it's love that makes a good man.
Yes it's love sweet love that makes a good man.
Something told me it wouldn't last.
Now my honey in the past.
And admit to myself, deep down inside.
Diamonds and pearls, don't you know?,
I've had enough.
But I feel so much better when I'm all dress up in love.
And it's love that makes a good man.
Ziggy Mebratu, I'm so in love with you.
Over in Tubingen, Germany.
I'm in love with you girl.
I want to be your lover, baby.
You're an angel sent from heaven above.
The lyrics to Israel Vibration's song Love Makes A Good Man explore the concept of how love can shape someone into becoming a better person. The opening lines "In the fire, it was burning. Sweetheart, I know should be learning" indicate that the singer has gone through a difficult experience, possibly a failed relationship. The following lines "But my pockets were full of money. And I had someone to call my honey" suggest that the singer was materialistic and focused on superficial qualities in their previous relationships.
However, the chorus "But it's love that makes a good man. Yes it's love sweet love that makes a good man" emphasizes that true happiness and fulfillment comes from genuine love and not material possessions. The singer acknowledges that their previous relationships were temporary and lacked depth, and that love is what truly matters.
The lyrics also mention a specific person, Ziggy Mebratu, who the singer is deeply in love with. This person is described as an "angel sent from heaven above," suggesting that the singer has finally found true love and is willing to change for the better. The song as a whole encourages listeners to focus on love and authentic connections with others, rather than superficial qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
In the fire, it was burning.
The situation was intense and overwhelming.
Sweetheart, I know should be learning.
I recognize that I should be gaining wisdom and insight from this situation.
But my pockets were full of money.
I had material wealth, but it did not bring me happiness.
And I had someone to call my honey.
I had a romantic partner, but that alone did not fulfill me.
But it's love that makes a good man.
True goodness and fulfillment come from love.
Yes it's love sweet love that makes a good man.
Love is the essential ingredient for a fulfilling life.
Something told me it wouldn't last.
I had a feeling that my current situation was not sustainable or lasting.
Now my honey in the past.
My romantic relationship has ended and my partner is no longer with me.
I had to swallow all my pride,
I needed to let go of my ego and accept my situation.
And admit to myself, deep down inside.
I needed to be honest with myself about my true feelings and desires.
Diamonds and pearls, don't you know?,
Material possessions do not bring lasting happiness or fulfill our deepest needs.
I've had enough.
I am no longer interested in seeking happiness through material wealth alone.
But I feel so much better when I'm all dress up in love.
Love brings a sense of fulfillment and happiness that material possessions cannot provide.
And it's love that makes a good man.
Love is the defining factor in becoming a truly good person.
Ziggy Mebratu, I'm so in love with you.
I am deeply in love with a specific person named Ziggy Mebratu.
Over in Tubingen, Germany.
Ziggy Mebratu is located in Tubingen, Germany.
I'm in love with you girl.
I am romantically interested in Ziggy Mebratu.
I want to be your lover, baby.
I desire to have a romantic relationship with Ziggy Mebratu.
You're an angel sent from heaven above.
I believe Ziggy Mebratu is a perfect, angelic person who was sent to me from God.
Contributed by Nolan P. 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