1) Jacob Mil… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least 2 singers sharing the name Jacob Miller.
1) Jacob Miller (born in Mandeville, Jamaica on 4 May 1952 – 23 March 1980) was a Jamaican reggae artist. He was the first to record with Clement Dodd. While pursuing a prolific solo career, he became the lead singer for reggae group Inner Circle with whom he recorded until his death in a car accident at the age of 27.
He recorded three songs for Dodd, including “Love is a Message” in 1968, which the Swaby brothers, (Horace, later called Augustus Pablo, and Garth) played at their Rockers Sound System. While the song did not garner much success nor maintain Dodd's attention in Miller, it resulted in Pablo’s sustained interest in Miller.
Jacob was featured in the film Rockers, alongside Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth and Burning Spear. In the movie, he plays the singer of a hotel houseband, played by Inner Circle, who are joined on drums by the films hero, Horsemouth (Leroy Wallace) and play a wicked live version of Tenement Yard.
Miller had close links with Bob Marley, who was known to promote him as 'My favourite singer'. One of Jacob Millers biggest Jamaican hits 'Tired Fe Lick Weed' betrayed his political leanings as can be seen in his performance of the song in the film 'Heartland Reggae', where his open enjoyment of a 'ganja spliff' on stage was intended to be seen as a militant statement.
Millers most potent works are often attributed to the 'rockers' singles of the mid 1970's with the band Inner Circle, with tracks like 'Tenement yard', 'Tired fe Lick Weed' and 'Stand Firm' among them. However the track which has brought him the most lasting recognition is the rockers standard 'King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown' with Augustus Pablo. Other notable tracks with Augustus Pablo include 'Keep on Knocking, 'False Rasta' and 'Who Say Jah No Dread', all produced by King Tubby.
Jacob Miller had a unique vocal style, using staccato motifs in counter play with the rhythm section, a perfect example of which is 'Tired Fe Lick Weed'. Miller was an intelligent and original artist, and recognised his own potential to lead, releasing a re-cut of his own track 'Tenement Yard' with the title 'To Much Imitator', a straight out attack on those trying to copy his style.
With an obvious energy, Jacob Miller was a magnetic presence on stage,and his appearance at the 'One Love Peace Concert' in Jamaica, April 1978 was typical 'Killer' Miller. Mesmerising and full of life, Jacob Miller invited members of the Jamaican political coalition, the 'Peace Committee' on to the stage for a rendition of 'Peace Treaty Special', conducting crowd, band, press and guests all with his customary zeal.
Some of Millers later work has been seen by reggae purists to be too much of an attempt at finding a commercial avenue for his music, with his yearning for success becoming evident on the track, 'I've Learned My Lesson Well', from the Island Records album 'Everything Is Great' from 1979.
This album, from musical point of view, is almost totaly unconnected to his earlier 'roots' work, and exhibits the ability of the Inner Circle band to adapt to different genres, using strong disco themes here. It is with some irony then, that Jacob Millers lasting contribution to the reggae genre will be forever focused on those 'rockers' tracks, which are, at least culturally, perhaps more important than reaching 'The top 100'.
Miller died very young in a car accident, cutting abruptly short a promising career that had already taken young Jacob from 'yard' (Jamaica) to an international record deal with Island Records.
Miller had planned to perform along with Bob Marley and Inner Circle in Brasil and then to tour with them; this tour was cancelled after Miller's untimely death.
2) Wisconsin native Jacob Miller left his hometown for Portland, OR the summer of 2009 via Amtrak, bringing with him only a suitcase and an electric guitar. After one year in the city he left to travel North America, both to study and perform music while working on various farms and ranches between travels. Time spent as a farm hand in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina shaped his devotion to the finger-picking style of the region. Spending countless hours playing alongside vintage recordings and local old-timers in the surrounding areas of Appalachia, Miller delved into the inner workings of the music’s style and history.
After 7 years leading a jazz sextet and performing both internationally and throughout North America, Miller now focuses his efforts on a different kind of songwriting and storytelling. Whether it be playing for thousands at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall or for 5 people in a Midwest living room, Jacob's passion, voice and laid-back demeanor create an intimate connection with audiences far and wide.
With an affinity for minimalist pop and firm roots planted in American traditional music, Jacob Miller crafts a timeless sound unique to his voice, style and abilities.
In 2019, Jacob released his debut record, ‘This New Home,’ which displays his abilities as a performer, writer and composer. Recorded and performed entirely by Miller in a Portland home-turned-studio, songs and ideas come together to form an album that is honest and heartfelt.
In 2020, he was also a featured performer on NBC’s The Voice; working with Nick Jonas and James Taylor among others.
On May 15th, Jacob will release new music since his debut solo release. “Quarantine,” out May 15th, is a collaborative project accomplished through isolation during the period of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place. It features 2 new singles, an accompanying music video, and a cast of PNW artists.
Forward Jah Jah Children
Jacob Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
South Africa
Blood fire rastafari
[Chorus]
Forward jah jah jah jah children
Forward jah jah jah jah children
Day after day the children of zion try to reach up to you
But they stopping us with their guns and brutality
Oh lord!
[Chorus]
Let's sing praises unto the most high jah rastafari
I and I I jah rastafari, I and I I jah rastafari
Wowowooo yes yes yes yes come on now men
Can ever be free our own land
Can ever be free our own land
The wicked them turn it into battle ground
Can even smoke our little ilie (collie)
Can even smoke our little ilie
Let's sing praises unto jah
I and I I jah rastafari, I and I I jah rastafari
Yes yes yes yes come on now men
[Chorus]
Let's sing praises unto the most high jah rastafari
I and I I jah rastafari, I and I I jah rastafari
Yes yes yes yes
Oh now now now
I never know, never know
I say forward jah jah children
The lyrics to Jacob Miller's song "Forward Jah Jah Children" speak to the struggle for freedom and equality in Africa, particularly in South Africa, where apartheid was still in effect during the time the song was written. The opening lines "Africa must be free / South Africa / Blood fire rastafari" express solidarity with the Black South Africans fighting for their freedom and the belief that their struggle is part of a broader movement for African liberation.
The chorus, "Forward jah jah jah jah children," encourages a sense of unity and perseverance among those fighting for freedom. The rest of the lyrics continue with calls to sing praises to Jah, the Rastafarian name for God, and lamentations about the violence and oppression faced by Black Africans. The lines "But they stopping us with their guns and brutality / Oh lord!" express the frustration and pain of those facing violent repression.
Overall, the lyrics to "Forward Jah Jah Children" are a rallying cry for unity and perseverance in the struggle for freedom and equality, particularly in Africa. The song highlights the connection between African liberation and Rastafarian spirituality, and the deep sense of faith and hope that sustained those fighting for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Africa must be free
The African people should be free from oppression and colonization.
South Africa
Specifically, apartheid in South Africa needs to end for African people to be truly free.
Blood fire rastafari
A call to unite and take action against the injustices that are happening to African people. Blood and fire referring to determination and action, while Rastafari is a reference to the religious and cultural movement that Jacob Miller belongs to.
[Chorus] Forward jah jah jah jah children Forward jah jah jah jah children
A repeated message to urge everyone to keep moving forward and fighting for their freedom.
The time has come when we all should sing unto jah
A call to action to come together and sing praises to Jah (God) to give strength and courage in the fight for freedom.
Day after day the children of zion try to reach up to you
The African people are persistently fighting for their freedom and trying to get closer to their God, Jah.
But they stopping us with their guns and brutality Oh lord!
Despite the peaceful efforts of the African people, they are met with violence and brutality from their oppressors with no end in sight.
Let's sing praises unto the most high jah rastafari I and I I jah rastafari, I and I I jah rastafari Wowowooo yes yes yes yes come on now men
A reminder to stay united and continue singing praises to Jah for strength and encouragement.
Can ever be free our own land The wicked them turn it into battle ground
A lamentation that it feels impossible for African people to be free in their own land due to the violence and conflict caused by their oppressors.
Can even smoke our little ilie (collie) Can even smoke our little ilie
Even the small joys and freedoms, like smoking marijuana (a practice that is culturally significant in Rastafarianism) are being taken away from the African people.
Oh now now now I never know, never know
Expressing disbelief and shock at the extent of the violence and oppression that African people are facing.
I say forward jah jah children
Another call to keep moving forward and fighting for freedom with the strength and guidance of Jah (God).
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACOB MILLER, ROGER M. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Old Atlanta 404
Blood Fire 🩸 🔥
Jacob Miller the real Rastafari 💯
Give thanks to Jah
Rene Rodrigues
Curto essa faixa todo dia essa e eterna na minha vida.
TNToncourt
Still gets me rockin after all these years.
Pery Ko
Gran tema del maestro Jacob Miller
funnynative
I love this song! It reminds me high school! xoxo
Dj Rickey Ricardo
😱🔥🙏this chune is very powerful !! especially the king tubby dub side!
Fenty Valencia
Muy buena melodía para dar bendición al pueblo de javeh Jah rastafari forever de Mufasa roots para toda la hermandad rastafari
Cyril Blondeau
Big big tunes i love Jacob Miller!
Mathias Sanchez
He is so great.
NAGA Samurai Go Ichi
I once heard this song in a dub and have been searching for it for months. I am so happy to find this song and it is now officially my second favorite reggae song just after rude boy Jamaican by eek a mouse