Much, much more than a deejay, much more than a singer and more than a chanter too Lutan Fyah also plays guitar, keyboards and the kette drum. He holds strong beliefs in originality at all times and so he is a songwriter too and, as the New Millennium has progressed, he has developed his very own idiosyncratic and unique vocal styling. He embraced the Rastafarian religion at the age of sixteen but his songs are not always strictly Rasta. As a "living man with work to do" he ranges over all subjects and everything and anything can inspire him to write, to play, to chant, to sing and to deejay. Preaching to the converted can prove to be a fairly easy task but to take the same message all around the world is a totally different ball game.
Born Anthony Martin in Thompson Pen, Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica his formative years were spent in an environment where music was omnipresent. His grandfather ran a Sound System and artists such as Lt. Stitchie, Papa San and Lady G would gather in the family's yard to practise and perfect their skills on the microphone.
"I grew up around a Sound System. Music flows through my bones ..." Lutan Fyah
Music proved to be an incredible influence on young Anthony but sport, and football in particular, proved to be another and he started playing as a midfielder, a position where he excelled, in teams in his local community. He graduated to his school team, St. Andrew Technical High School, and eventually made the grade as a professional in Jamaican Premier League clubs De la Vega and Constant Spring; but the call of music proved too strong to resist and in 1999 he hung up his football boots and took the first steps towards a musical career.
Like so many others before and after Anthony Martin trod that same dispiriting round of Kingston's studios and record producers where he was met with indifference and at times ignorance. However there was a different reception at Mark Myrie's Aksum Studios where the young chanter's promise was immediately recognised and he passed his audition with flying colours. The man now known as Lutan Fyah spent what he terms his 'internship' at Gargamel where he recorded over sixteen songs for Buju Banton while also freelancing for other producers. His debut release was actually for the Crazy Hate label and 'Ambassador' signalled the arrival of a significant new talent in Kingston's musical maelstrom.
The resurgence of the Rastafarian influence and the Bobo Dread phenomenon in reggae music was an indicator of serious times in Jamaica as a new generation of singers and deejays came to the conclusion that the only credible solution to the current malaise was to "love the word of God and thy neighbour as thyself". Others, who shall remain nameless, were not slow to realise that this presented a heaven sent opportunity to jump aboard the bandwagon for a handy ride on the fast track to fame and money. Many futile attempts were made to hitch a ride to stardom and the words of God were readily mouthed by tongues that had previously been wrapped around the more worldly concerns of the dance hall. But artists such as Lutan Fyah were there for the long run for "the race is not to the swift" and his music was at all times driven by his deep beliefs. His devotion to the Rastafarian religion has meant that he has stayed the course while so many pretenders have fallen by the wayside.
Never Stop Hail Rastafari
Lutan Fyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thy kingdom come!
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
His blessing caan dun
I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come!
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
This ya blessing caan dun
With every spiritual blessing -
I tell yuh there's a heavenly place
And Haile Selassie has made us -
Is the love He gives, glory to His grace
The youths dem fi set to sanctify -
Wholly acceptable without a play
His redemption is Rastafari, King Emmanuel great
Wisdom is then bound to I with life and prudence
Then make it know to the children
It is He that made us and not ourselves
Give thanks fi life with all reverence
And I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come!
Hey, it's a blessing unto I
Oh this yah loving caan dun
Then I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come!
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
Hey you slanderers be no hypocrite among yourself
You weeping defeated angels
Living for the riches, yes you'll suffer for the wealth
Remember Jah love is with the saints
Now, I'm standing on Holy Ground
Rastafari remove my feet from the miry clay
I see the heathen get busted -
My nature is guaranteed
I tell yuh seh the wicked won't be trusted in times like these
Hey, wi no tek no hearsay, nor no loose lip
Mi tell yuh righteousness wi got, wi gone use it
And if dem sick, seh Rasta don't lose it
Or try to abuse it, don't confuse it
Then I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come!
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
Then I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come!
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
This yah blessing caan dun
So plead my cause oh Jah
It dem that try with I
Come fight against dem that fight against I and I and I.
Take hold of my Shield and Buckler
And stand up for myself
This is not about material wealth
Mankind should know demself
I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
This blessing caan dun
I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
This yah blessing caan dun
I'll never stop hail Rastafari
Thy kingdom come
Everliving, ever faithful
Blessing can dun.
In Lutan Fyah’s song, “Never Stop Hail Rastafari,” he emphasizes his unceasing devotion to Rastafari and the importance of staying true to his faith. The song captures the essence of the Rastafarian religion, which is rooted in the belief in the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, seeing him as the second coming of Christ. Lutan Fyah’s lyrics demonstrate a deep understanding and respect for Rastafari principles, which are grounded in humility, righteousness, and love.
Lutan Fyah’s first verse expresses his unwavering commitment to his belief in Rastafari, “Then I'll never stop hail Rastafari, Thy kingdom come! Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure. His blessing caan dun.” He speaks about the spirituality behind his faith and how, through the blessings of Haile Selassie, he has been brought to a heavenly place. He urges the youth to also sanctify and fully accept the teachings of Rastafari, saying “His redemption is Rastafari, King Emmanuel great. Wisdom is then bound to I with life and prudence. Then make it know to the children. It is He that made us and not ourselves. Give thanks fi life with all reverence.”
In his final verse, Lutan Fyah calls out those who speak ill of Rastafari and warns against those who worship material wealth. He asks Jah to plead his cause and help him stand up for himself, saying “This is not about material wealth. Mankind should know demself.” Despite opposition to his faith, Lutan Fyah stays resolute in his belief and declares, “I'll never stop hail Rastafari. Thy kingdom come! Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure. This blessing caan dun.”
Line by Line Meaning
Then I'll never stop hail Rastafari
I will continue to praise and worship Rastafari forever
Thy kingdom come!
May your kingdom come to earth and rule over us all
Everliving, ever faithful, ever sure
Rastafari is alive, faithful, and dependable
His blessing caan dun
The blessings from Rastafari never run out
With every spiritual blessing -
We receive many spiritual blessings from Rastafari
I tell yuh there's a heavenly place
I'm telling you there's a paradise waiting for us
And Haile Selassie has made us -
Haile Selassie has created us and given us His love and grace
Is the love He gives, glory to His grace
We glorify Rastafari's love and grace
The youths dem fi set to sanctify -
The young people should live lives of purity and holiness
Wholly acceptable without a play
Completely acceptable, no deceit or insincerity
His redemption is Rastafari, King Emmanuel great
Our redemption comes from Rastafari, and the great King Emmanuel
Wisdom is then bound to I with life and prudence
I gain wisdom, life, and good judgment through Rastafari
Then make it know to the children
Teach the children about Rastafari
It is He that made us and not ourselves
We were created by Rastafari, not by ourselves
Give thanks fi life with all reverence
Be grateful for life and show it respect
Hey you slanderers be no hypocrite among yourself
Don't be a hypocrite and slander others
You weeping defeated angels
You are crying and defeated beings
Living for the riches, yes you'll suffer for the wealth
If you live only for money, you will suffer for it
Remember Jah love is with the saints
Remember that Rastafari's love is with the holy ones
Now, I'm standing on Holy Ground
I am standing in a sacred place
Rastafari remove my feet from the miry clay
Rastafari lifts me out of the mire of sin
I see the heathen get busted -
I see the godless people being punished
My nature is guaranteed
My spiritual state is assured
I tell yuh seh the wicked won't be trusted in times like these
I'm telling you that evil people cannot be trusted in these times
Hey, wi no tek no hearsay, nor no loose lip
We don't listen to rumors or gossip
Mi tell yuh righteousness wi got, wi gone use it
I tell you we have righteousness and we will use it
And if dem sick, seh Rasta don't lose it
And if they attack us, we won't falter
Or try to abuse it, don't confuse it
They cannot abuse our faith, and they shouldn't underestimate it
So plead my cause oh Jah
Please defend me, Rastafari
It dem that try with I
They are the ones trying to harm me
Come fight against dem that fight against I and I and I.
Fight against those who fight against me and my faith
Take hold of my Shield and Buckler
Protect me with your divine power
And stand up for myself
And help me to defend myself
This is not about material wealth
This is not about money or possessions
Mankind should know demself
People should know themselves and their place in the world
Writer(s): Paul Crossdale, Anthony Martin
Contributed by Nathaniel O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bigjumbo9479
Omg that backing music
@tushyranx5860
Selassie I bless!
@pisces26420
this song is legit. love it! YAH bless!
@bigjumbo9479
I like the tune in background. Fyah