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.
The 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 you?re a bobo
(bo-bo-bo-bo)
(order of the bingy)
or whether you?re a bingy natty dred
(bingy natti dred)
or whether you?re a 12 tribe of israel
we?re 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 can?t unite
(my god)
if we did not fight
(i know)
we?re 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)
we?re 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 can?t 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...
The lyrics to Israel Vibration’s “The Same Song” are a call for unity and solidarity within the Rastafarian community. The chorus repeats the phrase “we all going to sing the same song” as a unifying theme, emphasizing the importance of coming together and setting aside differences. The verses mention various branches of Rastafarianism, including Bobos (a conservative branch), orthodox Rastafarians, Bingy (a more open-minded branch), and the 12 tribes of Israel. Despite these differences, the song suggests that everyone can come together to sing, jam, and “chuck the same chuck.”
The song also addresses external pressures and challenges faced by the Rastafarian community. The repetition of “wanted us to sing that same song” suggests that there are outside forces that want to disrupt unity within the community. However, the song suggests that fighting amongst themselves would only hurt the Rastafarian cause, and that setting aside differences in order to sing the same song is a more powerful way to resist outside pressures.
Overall, the lyrics of “The Same Song” emphasize the importance of solidarity and unity within the Rastafarian community, and suggest that coming together can help resist both internal and external pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
we all going to sing the same song
No matter our differences, we will all come together and harmonize as one.
we all going to jam the same jam
We will all be in sync and play the same music, regardless of our individual styles.
we all going to chuck the same chuck
We will all dance together and follow the same rhythm, regardless of our preferred moves.
oh whether you?re a bobo
Regardless of whether you are a Rastafarian who rejects modern technology or not.
or whether you?re an orthodox
Regardless of whether you follow traditional Rastafarian beliefs or not.
or whether you?re a bingy natty dred
Regardless of whether you practice the Nyabinghi tradition of drumming or not, and whether or not you have dreadlocks.
or whether you?re a 12 tribe of israel
Regardless of whether you belong to a particular Rastafarian sect or not.
so if you hold your fuss & fight
If we avoid arguments and conflicts,
giving hypocrites the right to say
We must not allow others who do not believe in us to have influence over our actions.
that we can?t unite
We must not allow others to come between us and stop us from coming together in solidarity.
if we did not fight
If we did not resist these negative influences and fight for our unity,
take us out of a homeland,
Even if we are displaced from our home,
take us down there in babylon
Even if we are taken to the land of our oppressors,
wanted us to sing that same song
Those who seek to divide us and prevent our progress want us to remain in the same stagnant state.
we?re all going to sing that same song
Despite their intentions, we will come together in unity and sing a new song of hope and progress.
jah man
An affirmation of Rastafarian faith and belief in Jah, the one true God.
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
WallieB26
I loved this song all my life. Now that Skelly has passed my heart shatters hearing this. Such a beautiful song. The world lost a wonderful man. Rest in Power, Skelly.
Adalberon Junior
Reggae de propriedade terapêutica viva Israel Vibrations para sempre firme e forte.
Diego Lucas
Descansa em paz 😢🇬🇭
amefricarots
que calidad de video y de musicos !!! israel vibration de lo mejor !!
WallieB26
Hands down my favorite Israel Vibration song and reggae song. Such a peaceful and relaxing tune that I feel brings us all together as one. Wish Skelly performed the song in its entirety from the original album only because it's such a beautiful song and the 3 minutes it's performed go by so fast.
Kelly Tavares
Lindo tudo isso! Viva Israel Vibration! <3
Mikael Gohari
Legendary band!
tavomana
¡Tremendo concierto Israel Vibration puro baile y buen reggae!
Audrey Low
Wonderful! Love these brethren! Reggae!
daniel
Amo esta música gracias por existir Israel vibration