Small Axe
Lee Lyrics
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Playing smart and-a not being clever!
I said you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so, a-so),
But the goodness of Jah - Jah
Endureth for ever
So if you are the big tree,
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words of my master
Keep on tellin' me: no weak out shall prosper
Eh! Whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it - fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
If you are the big tree,
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
Sharpened ready ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down.
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down,
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down)
These are the words of my master
Tellin' me that: no weak out shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, uh! bury in it!
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, uh! (bury in it)
If you are the big, big tree,
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down
If you are the big, big tree,
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
To cut you down
The lyrics of "Small Axe" by Lee "Scratch" Perry speak of the inevitable downfall of the arrogant and wicked, represented by the metaphor of a big tree that will be cut down by the small but sharp axe. The song starts with a rhetorical question addressed to these evil men who think they are clever, but are actually just working for self-gain without considering the consequences of their actions. The singer reminds them that their vanity will ultimately be futile, because the goodness of Jah (God) endures forever.
The chorus presents the main message of the song, which is that the weak may seem small and powerless, but they can overcome the mighty if they are persistent and well-prepared. The metaphor of the small axe as a tool of resistance against oppression has become a symbol of Jamaican culture and identity.
The song's lyrics also include a warning to those who try to harm others, as they will ultimately cause their own downfall. This message is reinforced by repeating the phrase "whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it" in a call-and-response style with the backing vocalists. Finally, the song ends with a confident declaration that the small axe is indeed ready to cut down the big tree, and that no evil doer can prosper against the will of Jah.
Line by Line Meaning
Why boasteth thyself, O evil men
Why are you so proud of your evil actions?
Playing smart and-a not being clever!
You may think you're being smart, but you're not really that clever.
I said you're working iniquity
I'm calling you out for performing wickedness.
To achieve vanity (if a-so, a-so),
All for the sake of your own selfish desires.
But the goodness of Jah - Jah
The goodness of God.
Endureth for ever
Will last forever.
So if you are the big tree,
If you think you're a powerful force,
We are the small axe
We may be small, but we have the power to overthrow you.
Ready to cut you down, (well sharp)
We're prepared to take action against you with precision and force.
These are the words of my master
I'm only following the teachings of my religious leader.
Keep on tellin' me: no weak out shall prosper
I keep hearing that those who are weak will not succeed.
Eh! Whosoever diggeth a pit
Anyone who tries to undermine others,
Shall fall in it - fall in it
Will eventually suffer consequences themselves.
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Again, anyone who tries to undermine others,
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
Will suffer the consequences of their actions.
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
I want to make it clear that we may be small, but we have the power to overthrow you.
To cut you down.
To take action against your wrongdoings.
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down,
Emotional emphasis on our determination to take you down.
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, to cut you down)
Emotional emphasis on our determination to take you down.
Shall fall in it, uh! bury in it!
Will suffer consequences themselves and be buried in the pit they created.
If you are the big, big tree,
If you think you're a powerful and dominant force,
Let me tell you that: we are the small axe
I want to make it clear that we may be small, but we have the power to overthrow you.
To cut you down, (well sharp)
To take action against your wrongdoings with precision and force.
To cut you down.
To take action against your wrongdoings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind