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.
Same Song
Israel Vibration Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we all going to sing the same song
we all going to sing the same song
we all going to sing the same song
oh whether youโre a bobo
(bo-bo-bo-bo)
or whether youโre an orthodox
(order of the bingy)
(bingy natti dred)
or whether youโre a 12 tribe of israel
weโre all going to sing the same song
we all going to jam the same jam
(uh!)
we all going to chuck the same chuck
(chuck!)
so if you hold your fuss & fight
(damn right)
giving hypocrites the right to say
that we canโt unite
(my god)
if we did not fight
(i know)
weโre all going to sing the same song
we all going to jam the same jam
jah man
we all going to chuck the same chuck
[break]
take us out of a homeland,
take us down there in babylon
wanted us to sing that same song
you wanted us to sing that same song
wanted us to sing that same song
(and I know)
weโre all going to sing that same song
we all going to jam the same jam
we all going to chuck the same chuck
so if you hold your fuss & fight
(damn right)
giving hypocrites the right to say
that we canโt unite
(my god I know)
if we did not fight
we all going to sing the same song
we all going to jam the same jam
we all going to chuck the same chuck
(chuck)
we all going to chuck the same chuck
we all going to jam the same jam
we all...
Israel Vibration's song "Same Song" is a powerful message of unity and brotherhood. The lyrics describe how people of all backgrounds and beliefs should come together and sing the same song, emphasizing that regardless of our differences, we all share the same human experience. The song is a call to action to end the fighting and disagreements, and work towards a better future.
The lyrics mention different groups, such as "bobo," "orthodox," "bingy natty dred," and "12 tribe of Israel," to name a few. These are all different branches of the Rastafari movement. The song acknowledges that despite their differences, they are all going to sing the same song. The use of Jamaican patois adds a unique cultural aspect to the song, making it relatable to people who share this same culture.
The song also touches on the theme of oppression and being taken away from one's homeland. The line "take us out of a homeland, take us down there in babylon" refers to the forced migration of Africans during the slave trade. The song highlights the importance of holding on to one's culture and identity despite being taken away from their homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
wo yoy, wo yoy yoy yoy
An invocation to the ancestral spirits for guidance and a sense of unity
we all going to sing the same song
We are all united in the same purpose and have the same message to share
oh whether youโre a bobo
(bo-bo-bo-bo)
Whether you belong to the Bobo Shanti sect of Rastafari or not
or whether youโre an orthodox
(order of the bingy)
Or if you are following the Binghi order of Rastafari theology
or whether youโre a bingy natty dred
(bingy natti dred)
Or if you have adopted the Rastafari lifestyle of growing your hair in natural dreadlocks
or whether youโre a 12 tribe of israel
Or if you are part of the Twelve Tribes of Israel movement within Rastafari
weโre all going to sing the same song
We will all be united in our message and purpose
we all going to jam the same jam
(uh!)
We will all be united in our musical expression and enjoyment
we all going to chuck the same chuck
(chuck!)
We will all be united in our dance and movement
so if you hold your fuss & fight
(damn right)
If you continue to argue and create conflict among us
giving hypocrites the right to say
that we canโt unite
(my god)
It gives our enemies ammunition to claim that we are incapable of unity
if we did not fight
(i know)
If we did not engage in conflict among ourselves
weโre all going to sing the same song
We would all be united in our message and purpose
jah man
An expression of faith and belief in Rastafari
take us out of a homeland,
take us down there in babylon
wanted us to sing that same song
Referring to the historical oppression of the Rastafari and their displacement from their homeland of Ethiopia into Babylon, where they were expected to conform to the dominant culture
you wanted us to sing that same song
(and I know)
Our oppressors wanted us to assimilate and abandon our beliefs and culture
weโre all going to sing the same song
But despite that pressure, we remain united in purpose and message
we all going to jam the same jam
We will all be united in our musical expression and enjoyment
we all going to chuck the same chuck
We will all be united in our dance and movement
so if you hold your fuss & fight
(damn right)
If you continue to argue and create conflict among us
giving hypocrites the right to say
that we canโt unite
(my god I know)
It gives our enemies ammunition to claim that we are incapable of unity
if we did not fight
If we did not engage in conflict among ourselves
we all going to sing the same song
We would all be united in our message and purpose
we all going to jam the same jam
We will all be united in our musical expression and enjoyment
we all going to chuck the same chuck
(chuck)
We will all be united in our dance and movement
we all going to chuck the same chuck
We will all be united in our dance and movement
we all going to jam the same jam
We will all be united in our musical expression and enjoyment
we all...
An expression of the ongoing unity and unbroken chain of Rastafari community and culture
Writer(s): Cecil Spence
Contributed by William B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@IsaacW171
Rest in peace Skelly, thanks for leaving so much beauty behind which I know myself and others will continue to appreciate until our own time comes โค
@orbislinguarum5562
My Jamaican Nyabinghi brothers have been producing such heavenly sounds for decades. All praises to Jah!! Greetings from Brazil.
@petersimao3662
Popped into my head today . 2024 still a tune
@lesbourngrant5635
THIS SONG WAS GREAT ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ BACK IN THE DAYS AND IS STILL GREAT ๐๐๐๐๐ TODAY STILL SOUNDS GOOD ,GOOD MUSICS NEVER DIES
@NaomiNay-ei4jv
Oh gosh my freind, i have this beautiful record, Thankyou B D, my late man left me this paula โค X thankyou x
@naturalyawd7814
One of my favorite Roots reggae song from one of my Favorite Bands. I never knew that Skelly had Passed. love forever.
@erosionhead420
Itโs April 13 / 2022. ๐
I had this in my head. Thanks.
@danielfleming3337
Izzy Vibes !!! Love it and I love why you so craven album
@chisangadaniel4952
Much respect to RASTAFARI people for spreading strong music with much wisdom, truth and facts.Let also carry the duty to teร ch them even to the little childrens, for Jah will grant us more and more in the coming new future,RULED by the LION of JUDAH,
@irwinashby-im9ft
I man know allll of israel vibration music an lyrics word for word.......my heart goes out to skelly passing we will never forget you me parre israel vibration still live...big up everytime.