He left home at the age of 14 and worked on a sugar plantation outside Clarendon, cleaning out irrigation ditches, before winning a local talent competition when he was 18; prompting a move to the capital, Kingston, in order to achieve a successful musical career.
In 1965 he joined up with Kenneth Knight and Lloyd Shakespeare in The Emotions, whilst also working as a record plugger for Ken Lack's Caltone label. The group were unsuccessful in auditions for other producers, but Lack offered them an audition after overhearing Smith singing to himself as he worked one day. In 1966, the group had their first hit, with the Lack-produced, "Buy You a Rainbow". The Emotions went on to have several hit singles and by 1968, the singer, by this point known as Max Romeo, felt confident enough to launch a solo career. Working with producer Bunny Lee, the young star recorded a number of pop songs, mainly love ballads, but they failed to be popular and so he returned to The Emotions, now recording for Phil Pratt. During this time he began work as a sales representative for Bunny Lee and did some recording with The Hippy Boys, which would later became The Upsetters.
Later on in 1968, Romeo wrote new lyrics for the rhythm track of Derrick Morgan's "Hold You Jack" and handed them over to Lee. Morgan, who was due to add his vocals to the track, ultimately gave it a miss, as did several other vocalists (including John Holt and Slim Smith), leading the producer to turn to Romeo to sing the lyrics he had written. The result, "Wet Dream", was an instant hit in Jamaica, although in the UK it was met with a BBC Radio ban, despite Romeo's somewhat-disingenuous claim that the song was actually about a roof that has a leak. Still, the ban only made it more popular and the single charted in the Top Ten, in the UK Singles Chart, spending almost six months therein, before featuring on his LP, A Dream, which included several follow-up singles in a similar vein, such as "Mini Skirt Version", "Fish in the Pot", "Belly Woman", and "Wine Her Goosie". A UK tour also met with Romeo being banned from performing at several venues, although many allowed him to play, the singer staying in the UK for eighteen months.
In 1970, Romeo returned to Jamaica and set-up Romax, an unsuccessful record label and sound system. Following which, he recorded several singles, mainly with old producer Bunny Lee, before going on to work a host of other producers including Niney Holness. This was followed by a period of which saw the release of a series of politically charged singles, most advocating the democratic socialist People's National Party (PNP), which chose his song, "Let The Power Fall On I", as their campaign theme for the 1972 Jamaican general election. Romeo joined the PNP Musical Bandwagon, travelling around Jamaica, playing on the back of a truck. After this, Romeo recorded a number of religious songs, until he worked with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, producing the classic singles "Three Blind Mice" (an adaptation of the nursery rhyme with lyrics about a police raid on a party), "Sipple Out Deh", and "Chase the Devil". A remixed version of "Sipple Out Deh", entitled "War Ina Babylon", was another popular track in the UK, the first fruits of his deal with Island Records, and was followed by an album of the same name, and a follow-up single "One Step Forward". Shortly after this the pair fell out, leaving Romeo to self-produce his follow-up album, Reconstruction, which could not match the success of its predecessor. Perry's animosity towards Romeo was demonstrated by his single "White Belly Rat", with Perry also writing the word 'Judas' over a photograph of Romeo on the wall of his Black Ark studio.
He moved to New York City in 1978, where he co-wrote (with Hair producer Michael Butler) the musical, Reggae, which he also starred in. In 1980 he appeared as a backing vocalist on "Dance" on The Rolling Stones album Emotional Rescue. In 1981, the favour was returned when Keith Richards (of The Rolling Stones) co-produced and played on Romeo's album, Holding Out My Love to You. The rest of his output during the decade went practically unnoticed, with Romeo finding work at a New York electronics store. He returned to Jamaica in 1990, and began touring and recording more regularly.
He visited the UK again in 1992, recording the albums Far I Captain of My Ship and Our Rights with Jah Shaka. In 1995 he recorded Cross of the Gun with Tappa Zukie, and he joined up with UK rhythm section/production team Mafia & Fluxy in 1999 for the album Selassie I Forever.
His music has been sampled by other artists; The Prodigy sampled his track "Chase the Devil" for their 1992 UK Top Ten hit "Out of Space". Kanye West has also used samples from it to produce Jay-Z's hit song "Lucifer", which appeared on Jay-Z's 2003 release - The Black Album.
"Chase the Devil" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in a popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004. Romeo's single "Sipple Out Deh" appeared in John Peel's Record Box.
- Albums:
A Dream (1970) Trojan
Let The Power Fall (1972) Dynamic
Revelation Time (1975) Black World
War Ina Babylon (1976) Island
Reconstruction (1979) Island
I Love My Music (1979) Wackies
Rondos (1980) King Kong
Holding Out My Love to You (1981) Shanachie
Transition (1989) Rohit
Fari - Captain of My Ship (1992) Jah Shaka
Our Rights (1992) Jah Shaka
Cross or the Gun (1995) Tappa Zukie
Selassie I Forever (1999) Mafia & Fluxy
Love Message (1999) Warriors
Something is Wrong (1999) Warriors
In This Time (2001) 3D (Max Romeo & Tribu Acustica)
Pocomania Songs (2007) Ariwa Sounds
- Compilations:
Max Romeo Meets Owen Gray At King Tubby's Studio (1984) Culture Press (with Owen Gray)
Max Romeo and the Upsetters (1989)
Wet Dream (1993) Crocodisc
McCabee Version (1995) Sonic Sounds
Open The Iron Gate (1999) Blood & Fire
The Many Moods of Max Romeo (1999) Jamaican Gold
Pray For Me: The Best of Max Romeo 1967-73 (2000) Trojan Records
Perilous Times (2000) Charmax
On The Beach (2001) Culture Press
The Coming of Jah (2002) Trojan
Ultimate Collection (2003) (compiled by David Katz)
Holy Zion (2003) Burning Bush
Wet Dream: The Best of Max Romeo (2004) Trojan
Crazy World of Dub (2005) Jamaican Recordings
One of Jamaica's most provocative lyricists, a singer who gave us such enduring songs as 'Chase The Devil' (which was sampled in the song 'Out of Space' by The Prodigy and the song 'Lucifer' by Jay-Z), 'Public Enemy Number One', 'One Step Forward' and 'Three Blind Mice'. It was Romeo who first introduced Britain to the concept of rude reggae with 'Wet Dream', which, despite a total radio ban, reached number 10 in the UK charts in May 1969.
In 1972 Romeo began working with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. 'Babylon Burning', 'Three Blind Mice' and 'The Coming Of Jah' all maintained his star status in Jamaica between 1972 and 1975. Revelation Time was one of the best albums of 1975, and 1976's War Ina Babylon was hailed by the rock press as an all-time classic reggae album. Two outstanding contributions that will remain classic recordings from the so-called ‘golden age’ of Jamaican reggae music.
Stealing In The Name Of Jah
Max Romeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stealing stealing
Stealing in the name of the Lord
My father's house of worship
Has become a den of thieves
Stealing in the name of the Lord
And set our teeth on edge
Stealing in the name of the Lord
Strike the hammer of justice
And set my people free
Strike the hammer of justice
Or let my people be
They tell us of a heaven
Where milk and honey flow
Stealing in the name of the Lord
They said this place called heaven
The rich man cannot go
Stealing in the name of the Lord
Yet the reverend drives a fancy car
Buys everything tax-free
The people have to sacrifice
To give in charity
My father's house of worship
Has become a den of thieves
Stealing in the name of the Lord
Stealing stealing stealing
Stealing stealing
Stealing in the name of the Lord
Stealing stealing stealing
Stealing stealing
Stealing in the name of the Lord
Max Romeo's "Stealing In The Name Of Jah" is a powerful commentary on the corruption that sometimes occurs in religious institutions. The lyrics speak to the idea that some people who claim to be acting in the name of God are actually using religion as a cover for their own selfish and dishonest agendas. The repeated phrase "stealing in the name of the Lord" refers to the idea that some people are using their religious positions to enrich themselves at the expense of others.
The song begins by describing a situation where a father's house of worship has been taken over by people who are stealing from the congregation. The lyrics suggest that these thieves are preying on the worshipers' faith, using religious language to justify their actions. The second verse describes how these thieves are taking advantage of the poor and vulnerable, feeding them "sour grapes" and then demanding charity in return. The last two verses call for justice to be served, demanding that the "hammer of justice" be struck to set the people free. Overall, the song is a powerful indictment of hypocrisy and corruption in religious institutions.
Interesting Facts:
1) "Stealing In The Name Of Jah" was released in 1975 as part of Max Romeo's album "War Ina Babylon." It was produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry, who is known for his work with many other legendary reggae artists.
2) The song was written at a time when Jamaica was undergoing significant political and social upheaval. Many people in the country were turning to religion for guidance and solace, making the issue of corruption in religious institutions all the more pressing.
3) The song has been covered by many other reggae artists over the years, including Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse.
4) Max Romeo is a Jamaican singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1960s. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of reggae music and has released over 20 albums in his career.
5) The album "War Ina Babylon," which features "Stealing In The Name Of Jah," is widely regarded as one of the best reggae albums of all time. It was ranked #25 on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 greatest reggae albums in 2020.
6) Max Romeo's lyrics are heavily influenced by Rastafarian culture and beliefs. Rastafarianism is a religion that originated in Jamaica in the early 20th century and is characterized by a focus on African culture, the use of marijuana as a sacrament, and a belief in the divinity of the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie.
7) The song's message is still relevant today, as there continue to be cases of corruption and abuse of power in religious institutions around the world.
8) The phrase "sour grapes" used in the song comes from an Aesop's fable about a fox who cannot reach some grapes and then declares that they are probably sour anyway. The phrase has come to be used to describe people who downplay things they cannot have.
9) The song's chorus, which repeats the phrase "stealing in the name of the Lord," is reminiscent of the gospel tradition of call-and-response, where a soloist sings a line and the choir responds.
10) The chords for "Stealing In The Name Of Jah" are not widely available, as reggae music relies heavily on improvisation and feel rather than strict chord progression. However, the song is in the key of G minor and features a driving rhythm that is characteristic of reggae music.
Line by Line Meaning
Stealing stealing stealing
The act of stealing is happening repeatedly and persistently.
Stealing stealing
More stealing is happening.
Stealing in the name of the Lord
The stealing is being justified or rationalized by using religion as a basis.
My father's house of worship
The place of worship belongs to the singer's father or family.
Has become a den of thieves
The place of worship has turned into a place where stealing is commonplace.
They fed our mothers with sour grapes
The perpetrators have caused harm to the singer's family or community.
And set our teeth on edge
The harm caused by the perpetrators is lingering and uncomfortable.
Strike the hammer of justice
The singer calls for justice to be served.
And set my people free
The singer wants the injustice to be removed and for their people to be able to live freely.
They tell us of a heaven
A promise of a better place or life is being given.
Where milk and honey flow
The promised place will have plenty and abundance.
They said this place called heaven
The promised place is referred to as heaven.
The rich man cannot go
The promise of going to heaven is not extended to wealthy people.
Yet the reverend drives a fancy car
A religious leader is living a lavish life and may not be following the teachings they preach.
Buys everything tax-free
The religious leader is not paying taxes on their purchases.
The people have to sacrifice
The common people are expected to give up something in order to support the religion.
To give in charity
Their sacrifice is expected to go towards charitable causes.
Stealing stealing stealing
The stealing continues to occur repeatedly.
Stealing stealing
More stealing is happening despite the negative consequences.
Stealing in the name of the Lord
The people continue to justify their stealing with religious reasons.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Max Romeo, Lee Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@efany
Play this 3 times every Sunday morning before Church service... obverse how the so called "anointed" react to your presence...
@biosechinye445
This is a great song..you are blessed Max Romeo.
@carlavasconcelos4346
Amo está música! Parabéns pela postagem!
@nandobalack
Linda voz
@onyxblak-roses6957
I LOVE this song ❤💚💛
@joelparker3349
Great sound quality on this upload. Classic tune that always packs a punch to the gut.
@Humblentough
I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. Psalm 119:75-76
@deixafluirggroots6798
massa demais
@binghidread3657
Stealing of the name of the
Lord! Nuff Raspect Max Romeo! Blessed love
@emubonuvie
STEALING IN THE NAME OF DE LORD. JAH BLESS MAX ROMEO!!!