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.
Mr. Taxman
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I wanna be in their direction)
They are here, to tax at all men in the nation
(They wanna be in their direction)
They seeing them trying to solve this situation
(Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo)
But what we only need one day is to find revolution
(Revolution yo!)
(Revolution yo!)
We've got the races and increasing of the prices, all around
(All around)
And the people are protesting against the situation they′re on
(Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo)
Peoples mind going up and down
See them walking in the streets
Their minds just care be at ease
Their minds just care be at ease
Like as the breeze, blow against blow against the trees
There be some, moving along
Trying to find their home
Trying to find their home
Mr Tax, Mr Tax, Mr Taxman
(Mr Taxman)
You're going so high
You never think of coming down low
And your delight is when see your money flow
And your delight is when see your money flow
Mr Tax, Mr Tax, Mr Taxman
(Mr Taxman)
You're going so high
You never think of coming down low
And your delight is when see your money flow
And your delight is when see your money flow
All you richmen, your money shall be conquered
(Conquered)
You will surely gets you answer your hot desire
Just because of your positio, you take an advantage
So in return you are to i go all lost of courage
Whoa!
See them coming, we′ve their temptation
(I wanna be in their direction)
They are here, to tax at all men in the nation
(They wanna be in their direction)
They seeing them trying to solve this situation
(Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo)
But what we only need one day is to find revolution
(Revolution yo!)
Revolution, revolution, revolution
You keep on fighting, fighting, fighting
In "Mr. Taxman," Israel Vibration expresses their frustration with the state of society, particularly the unfairness of the tax system. They see the government as a force that only cares about taxing its citizens, and not actually solving the problems that plague the nation. They express their desire for a revolution that would overturn the existing system and introduce a fairer one. They also acknowledge the struggles of the people, who are protesting against the high prices and income inequality that has gripped the society. They see the only hope for change as a revolution that would upend the existing power structure.
The lyrics are steeped in the reggae tradition of social commentary and protest. Israel Vibration is using music not just as entertainment, but also as a tool for political and social activism. The song stresses the need for meaningful change and encourages listeners to join the fight for justice.
Line by Line Meaning
See them coming, we've their temptation
I want to follow in the steps of those in power
They are here, to tax at all men in the nation
Their aim is to tax every citizen within the country
They seeing them trying to solve this situation
They appear to be making an attempt to alleviate the problem
But what we only need one day is to find revolution
We only require a revolution to bring about change and social transformation
We've got the races and increasing of the prices, all around
We face inflation and price hikes across all sectors
And the people are protesting against the situation they're on
The populace is resisting and protesting against the current state of affairs
Peoples mind going up and down
The people are conflicted and indecisive
See them walking in the streets
There are people walking aimlessly in search of a way out
Their minds just care be at ease
They just want to find peace of mind
Like as the breeze, blow against blow against the trees
They are like leaves swaying in the wind
There be some, moving along
Some are progressing, moving forward
Trying to find their home
Trying to find a sense of belonging
Mr Tax, Mr Tax, Mr Taxman
A reference to those in power who levy taxes
You're going so high
You've become too powerful and influential
You never think of coming down low
You don't consider the plight of those beneath you
And your delight is when see your money flow
You find joy in seeing your cash flow in
All you richmen, your money shall be conquered
The wealth belonging to the wealthy will be seized
You will surely gets you answer your hot desire
You will receive the punishment you deserve
Just because of your position, you take an advantage
You exploit your status and use it to your gain
So in return you are to go all lost of courage
As a result, you will also suffer a loss of morale
Revolution, revolution, revolution
The call for revolution is echoed once again
You keep on fighting, fighting, fighting
The struggle for change will continue, with no end in sight
Writer(s): Lacelle Bulgin
Contributed by Gabriel R. 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