As a young man employed by Jamaican Telephone Company Ltd, he became interested in the Rastafari movement and converted from Catholicism while still a teenager. His outspoken statements on theology have generated controversy even among Rastafarians, and he has described Rasta as "part of a universal quest which may also be pursued by other routes, such as Hinduism or Buddhism or Christianity.
Say
Mutabaruka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ETHIOPIA
when you remember slaves
BLACK
when you shout revolution
FREEMAN
when you shout babylon
DEATH
when you speak of education
GET IT
when you speak of unity
WADADA
when you speak of God
MAN
when you see culture
RELATIVE TO...
when you read all this
MADNESSSSSS
when you think like i
RASTAFARI.
The lyrics of Mutabaruka's song "Say" offer a complex and insightful commentary on themes of identity, freedom, and resistance. The first line, "when you remember home ETHIOPIA," speaks to the connection between African-Americans and their African roots. The mention of slaves in the following line "when you remember slaves BLACK" touches on the history of slavery and the painful legacy that continues to impact black communities to this day.
The next two lines "when you shout revolution FREEMAN, when you shout babylon DEATH" can be interpreted as a call to action towards overthrowing oppressive systems, and the consequences of remaining silent or complacent in the face of injustice. The lines "when you speak of education GET IT, when you speak of unity WADADA" emphasize the importance of education and unity in the fight for liberation. The line "when you speak of God MAN" highlights the spiritual component of the Rastafari movement which promotes a deep reverence for Haile Selassie, whom they believe to be the embodiment of God on earth.
The following line "when you see culture RELATIVE TO" touches on the idea that culture is not fixed, but instead constantly evolves and adapts to the realities of a particular historical moment. Lastly, the line "when you read all this MADNESSSSSS" points to the absurdity of the world we live in, where such injustices still exist despite the best efforts of those who struggle against them. The final line "when you think like i RASTAFARI" reflects Mutabaruka's personal philosophy and the message of the entire song, which promotes a defiance of the dominant culture and a commitment to resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
when you remember home
When you reminisce about your birthplace, Ethiopia.
when you remember slaves
When you recall the history of slavery and the struggles of black people.
when you shout revolution
When you demand change and strive for freedom.
when you shout babylon
When you reject the oppressive system and corruption of society.
when you speak of education
When you discuss the importance of obtaining knowledge and wisdom.
when you speak of unity
When you promote togetherness and solidarity amongst people.
when you speak of God
When you acknowledge a higher power and the role it plays in your life.
when you see culture
When you observe and appreciate various customs and traditions in relation to your own background.
when you read all this
When you absorb and reflect upon these messages of insight and awareness.
when you think like i
When you adopt the same mindset and values as a Rastafarian.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, HIGH TIMES MUSIC
Written by: MUTABARUKA, ALLAN HOPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@photo3op
Dis Poem....by Mutabaruka
"dis poem
shall speak of the wretched sea
that washed ships to these shores
of mothers cryin for their young
swallowed up by the sea
dis poem shall say nothin new
dis poem shall speak of time
time unlimited time undefined
dis poem shall call names
names like lumumba kenyatta nkrumah
hannibal akenaton malcolm garvey
haile selassie
dis poem is vexed about apartheid rascism fascism
the klu klux klan riots in brixton atlanta
jim jones
dis poem is revoltin against 1st world 2nd world
3rd world division man made decision
dis poem is like all the rest
dis poem will not be amongst great literary works
will not be recited by poetry enthusiasts
will not be quoted by politicians nor men of religion
dis poem s knives bombs guns blood fire
blazin for freedom
yes dis poem is a drum
ashanti mau mau ibo yoruba nyahbingi warriors
uhuru uhuru
uhuru namibia
uhuru soweto
uhuru afrika
dis poem will not change things
dis poem need to be changed
dis poem is a rebirth of a peopl
arizin awaking understandin
dis poem speak is speakin have spoken
dis poem shall continue even when poets have stopped writin
dis poem shall survive u me it shall linger in history
in your mind
in time forever
dis poem is time only time will tell
dis poem is still not written
dis poem has no poet
dis poem is just a part of the story
his-story her-story our-story the story still untold
dis poem is now ringin talkin irritatin
makin u want to stop it
but dis poem will not stop
dis poem is long cannot be short
dis poem cannot be tamed cannot be blamed
the story is still not told about dis poem
dis poem is old new
dis poem was copied from the bible your prayer book
playboy magazine the n.y. times readers digest
the c.i.a. files the k.g.b. files
dis poem is no secret
dis poem shall be called boring stupid senseless
dis poem is watchin u tryin to make sense from dis poem
dis poem is messin up your brains
makin u want to stop listenin to dis poem
but u shall not stop listenin to dis poem
u need to know what will be said next in dis poem
dis poem shall disappoint u
because
dis poem is to be continued in your mind in your mind
in your mind your mind"
~ Mutabaruka
@photo3op
Dis poem
Shall speak of the wretched sea
That washed ships to these shores
Of mothers cryin for their young
Swallowed up by the sea
Dis poem shall say nothin new
Dis poem shall speak of time
Time unlimited time undefined
Dis poem shall call names
Names like lumumba kenyatta nkrumah
Hannibal akenaton malcolm garvey
Haile selassie
Dis poem is vexed about apartheid rascism fascism
The klu klux klan riots in brixton atlanta
Jim jones
Dis poem is revoltin against 1st world 2nd world
3rd world division man made decision
Dis poem is like all the rest
Dis poem will not be amongst great literary works
Will not be recited by poetry enthusiasts
Will not be quoted by politicians nor men of religion
Dis poem s knives bombs guns blood fire
Blazin for freedom
Yes dis poem is a drum
Ashanti mau mau ibo yoruba nyahbingi warriors
Uhuru uhuru
Uhuru namibia
Uhuru soweto
Uhuru afrika
Dis poem will not change things
Dis poem need to be changed
Dis poem is a rebirth of a peopl
Arizin awaking understandin
Dis poem speak is speakin have spoken
Dis poem shall continue even when poets have stopped writin
Dis poem shall survive u me it shall linger in history
In your mind
In time forever
Dis poem is time only time will tell
Dis poem is still not written
Dis poem has no poet
Dis poem is just a part of the story
His-story her-story our-story the story still untold
Dis poem is now ringin talkin irritatin
Makin u want to stop it
But dis poem will not stop
Dis poem is long cannot be short
Dis poem cannot be tamed cannot be blamed
The story is still not told about dis poem
Dis poem is old new
Dis poem was copied from the bible your prayer book
Playboy magazine the n.y. times readers digest
The c.I.a. files the k.g.b. files
Dis poem is no secret
Dis poem shall be called boring stupid senseless
Dis poem is watchin u tryin to make sense from dis poem
Dis poem is messin up your brains
Makin u want to stop listenin to dis poem
But u shall not stop listenin to dis poem
U need to know what will be said next in dis poem
Dis poem shall disappoint u
Because
Dis poem is to be continued in your mind in your mind
In your mind your mind
@brunobonisiol
every now and then you HAVE to come back here, and listen once again to THIS POEM!
@estoesplena101
Correct💯🙌🏾
@ngagne7760
This poem, it should be continuous in your mind, in your mind, in your mind max respect Muta 🙏🏿
@Icegaze88
"In your mind, In your mind, In you mind, mind, mind mind.....". He's right. I can't get it out. oO Brilliant.
@MrNanah38
This poem is needed now more than ever before. This poem is what they don't want to hear but must be heard.
@DukeBaysee100
EVERYBODY NEEDS THIS POEM
@mahatma1989
Duke, u all over YouTube man.
@86keno
Real talk Dukee...Poem ya fuck up their brain
@janetmeeks7834
Every one need to lisen to this poem bless up muta
@hanswurst2220
Over 30 years ago I heard "Dis Poem" for the first time in my life...
couldnt believe how much truth and wisdom a piece of art could contain.
Until now and even more than ever it makes totally sense, at the same it doesnt.