Jordan River
Maxie & Glen Lyrics

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I saw Selassie I stretch forth His hand to take I 'cross Jordan River
I saw Selassie I stretch forth His hand to take I 'cross Jordan River
I saw Selassie I stretch forth His hand to take I 'cross Jordan River
On I way to Zion

Zion, oh Rastafari
Zion, oh Rastafari
Zion, oh Rastafari

Zion, oh Lord

The man that hear the word of Jah and pardon
His heart shall be burned in fire
The man that hear the word of Jah and pardon
His heart shall be burned in fire
The man that hear the word of Jah and accept it shall be his heart desire
On I merry way to Zion

Zion, oh Rastafari
Zion, oh Rastafari

Zion, oh Rastafari
Zion, oh Lord

Overall Meaning

The song “Jordan River” by Maxie & Glen is a spiritual reggae song that speaks about the singer’s journey to reaching Zion. The song begins with the singer speaking about seeing Selassie I (Haile Selassie, an Ethiopian emperor who is considered a messianic figure by Rastafarians) stretching forth His hand to take him “'cross Jordan River”. This is a reference to the biblical story of the Israelites crossing the River Jordan, which represents a journey to the promised land. In Rastafarianism, Zion represents a utopian homeland which is the ultimate goal of spiritual and physical liberation. The song speaks of the singer’s journey towards this goal.

The second part of the song speaks of the consequences of not following the word of Jah (God). The singer warns that a person who hears the word of Jah and does not follow it will have their heart burned in fire, meaning that they will experience the pain of not following the divine word. The singer also states that the person who accepts the word of Jah will have it as their heart desire, meaning that they will experience great joy and fulfillment by living according to the divine word. This part of the song speaks of the importance of living a spiritually righteous life, according to the teachings of Rastafarianism.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw Selassie I stretch forth His hand to take I 'cross Jordan River
I witnessed God reaching out to guide me across the Jordan River, a symbolic reference to the journey towards spiritual enlightenment and salvation.

On I way to Zion
As I travel towards my spiritual destination of Zion, I feel God's presence guiding and supporting me on my journey.

Zion, oh Rastafari
Zion is a sacred place of peace and divine enlightenment, and as a follower of Rastafari beliefs, I seek to reach this spiritual destination.

The man that hear the word of Jah and pardon His heart shall be burned in fire
Those who refuse to listen to God's teachings and choose to live in sin will be punished, as their hearts will burn with the guilt and shame of their actions.

The man that hear the word of Jah and accept it shall be his heart desire
Those who embrace the teachings of God and strive to live a righteous life will find true fulfillment and happiness in their hearts, as they align themselves with God's will and purpose.

Zion, oh Lord
As I continue on my spiritual journey towards Zion, I pray to God for guidance and strength to overcome any obstacles or challenges that may arise along the way.

Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GLEN ADAMS, MAX ROMEO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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