Who We Are
Johnny Dread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who are you?
You don't know? Well, you should know
Who you are
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Well excuse me sir, let me introduce myself
My name is Ruben, and my brother is Issachar
We nah come here fi lecture,
Oh no, no,
We just a come fi conquer
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well I am intelligent
Well, elegant
Don't call I delinquent
Every time majestic
When Babylon stand up
Me sit down,
When Babylon sit down
Me stand up
Babylon follow the Pagan
And I and I are the original Christian
Fly on, Fly on
Despite my broken wing
Walk on, Walk on, Walk on,
Despite my broken knee
Pray on, Pray on, Pray on,
Every day deh pon my bended knee
And Triumph, Triumph, Triumph,
Despite the elements surrounding me
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
We are Zebulun
Simeon
Naphtali
Asher
We are Judah
We are Gad
We are Joseph
We are Dan
Yes, Levi
Benjamin
We are Issachar
I and I stand Ruben
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Yes we are African
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well, I am Cuban
Who We Are ()
Rasta
The whole a we are Aethiopian
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are ()
Fari
Who We Are ()
The lyrics of Johnny Dread's song "Who We Are" explore the idea of identity and self-awareness. The song opens with the question "Who are you?" and goes on to suggest that everyone should know who they are. The singer then introduces himself and his brother, and states that they are not there to lecture but to conquer. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a celebration of the singer's identity as a Rasta, an African, and a member of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Throughout the song, the singer juxtaposes himself with Babylon (a symbol of oppression and injustice) and asserts his own strength and resilience. He describes himself as intelligent and elegant, and says that he is not a delinquent despite what Babylon might think. He also talks about his ability to "fly on" despite a "broken wing", "walk on" despite a "broken knee", and "pray on" despite being on his "bended knee". All of these statements suggest a deep sense of determination and perseverance in the face of adversity.
One of the most interesting things about this song is the way it connects Rasta identity with African and Jewish identity. The singer identifies himself as a member of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is a reference to the belief among Rastas that they are descended from the ancient Israelites. He also mentions his African heritage, and the fact that he is Cuban, which adds another layer of complexity to his identity. Another interesting fact about the song is that it uses repetition (the phrase "Who We Are" is repeated throughout) to create a sense of unity and solidarity among Rastas and other marginalized people.
Chords (if known): Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not available.
Line by Line Meaning
Who are you?
Johnny Dread asks the listener to introspect and identify themselves.
You don't know? Well, you should know
Johnny Dread suggests that the listener must make an effort to know and understand themselves.
Let me tell you just Who We Are
Johnny Dread wants to assert the identity of the group he belongs to.
Well excuse me sir, let me introduce myself
Johnny Dread formally introduces himself to the listener.
We nah come here fi lecture, Oh no, no, We just a come fi conquer
Johnny Dread states that he and his group is not here to preach but to succeed.
Rasta
The group identifies themselves as Rastafarians.
Well I am intelligent, Well, elegant, Don't call I delinquent, Every time majestic
Johnny Dread asserts his positive qualities and rejects any negative connation attached to him.
When Babylon stand up, Me sit down,When Babylon sit down, Me stand up,Babylon follow the Pagan,And I and I are the original Christian
Johnny Dread says that he doesn't follow the wrong path of Babylon and instead derives from the original Christians.
Fly on, Fly on, Despite my broken wing,Walk on, Walk on, Walk on, Despite my broken knee,Pray on, Pray on, Pray on,Every day deh pon my bended knee,And Triumph, Triumph, Triumph,Despite the elements surrounding me
Johnny Dread asserts that even in the face of adversity, he and his group persist and thrive.
We are Zebulun,Simeon,Naphtali,Asher,We are Judah,We are Gad,We are Joseph,We are Dan,Yes, Levi,Benjamin,We are Issachar,I and I stand Ruben
Johnny Dread lists the twelve tribes of Israel and positions himself as Ruben.
Yes we are African
The group emphasizes their African roots.
Well, I am Cuban
Johnny Dread identifies himself as Cuban.
The whole a we are Aethiopian
The group unifies by identifying themselves as Ethiopians.
Fari
The group ends the song by affirming their faith in Emperor Haile Selassie, who Rastafarians venerate as God incarnate.
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Willex
Who We Are
Who are you?
You don't know? Well, you should know
Who you are
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Let me tell you just Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Well excuse me sir, let me introduce myself
My name is Ruben, and my brother is Issachar
We nah come here fi lecture,
Oh no, no,
We just a come fi conquer
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well I am intelligent
Well, elegant
Don't call I delinquent
Every time majestic
When Babylon stand up
Me sit down,
When Babylon sit down
Me stand up
Babylon follow the Pagan
And I and I are the original Christian
Fly on, Fly on
Despite my broken wing
Walk on, Walk on, Walk on,
Despite my broken knee
Pray on, Pray on, Pray on,
Every day deh pon my bended knee
And Triumph, Triumph, Triumph,
Despite the elements surrounding me
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
We are Zebulun
Simeon
Naphtali
Asher
We are Judah
We are Gad
We are Joseph
We are Dan
Yes, Levi
Benjamin
We are Issachar
I and I stand Ruben
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Yes we are African
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well, I am Cuban
Who We Are ()
Rasta
The whole a we are Aethiopian
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are ()
Fari
Who We Are ()
mort16sr
Uno de los mejores cantantes de Reggae
Veronika Cristal
Tantos recuerdos hermosos gracias a esta hermosa energia hecha canción !!!
Daniel Amaral
Johnny Dread me lembrando o " "velho" Johnny....
Onde comprei o CD na época...
Quem é BR sabe....
Aaron Landau
this song is highly underrated
iyathaart
My brother Johnny spreading the messages of the most high from them time till this iwah.
Bocarino Vlogs
Maximum respect Jonny dread from costa rica!!!
Willex
Who We Are
Who are you?
You don't know? Well, you should know
Who you are
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Let me tell you just Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Ah ah
Well excuse me sir, let me introduce myself
My name is Ruben, and my brother is Issachar
We nah come here fi lecture,
Oh no, no,
We just a come fi conquer
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well I am intelligent
Well, elegant
Don't call I delinquent
Every time majestic
When Babylon stand up
Me sit down,
When Babylon sit down
Me stand up
Babylon follow the Pagan
And I and I are the original Christian
Fly on, Fly on
Despite my broken wing
Walk on, Walk on, Walk on,
Despite my broken knee
Pray on, Pray on, Pray on,
Every day deh pon my bended knee
And Triumph, Triumph, Triumph,
Despite the elements surrounding me
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
We are Zebulun
Simeon
Naphtali
Asher
We are Judah
We are Gad
We are Joseph
We are Dan
Yes, Levi
Benjamin
We are Issachar
I and I stand Ruben
For that is Who We Are
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Yes we are African
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Well, I am Cuban
Who We Are ()
Rasta
The whole a we are Aethiopian
Who We Are ()
Rasta
Who We Are ()
Fari
Who We Are ()
Gerar Cerdas
grande Johnny en quepos costa rica los mejores conciertos en los años 2000
MinelD
excelenteee .. y aqui estaba jovenn y bello..y sigue siendo belloo =)
ᗪᗷᖇᗩᐯOᗷEᗩTᔕ
Recuerdos...🕉