Early music and with the Wailers
Tosh was born in Westmoreland, the westernmost parish of Jamaica. He was abandoned by his parents and "shuffled among relatives". When McIntosh was fifteen, his aunt died and he moved to Trenchtown in Kingston, Jamaica. He first learned guitar after watching a man in the country play a song that captivated him. He watched the man play the same song for half a day, memorizing everything his fingers were doing. He then picked up the guitar and played the song back to the man. The man then asked McIntosh who had taught him to play; McIntosh told him that he had. During the early 1960s, as an aspiring musician, Tosh went to vocal teacher Joe Higgs, who gave free music lessons to young people. Through his contact with Higgs, Tosh met Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) and Neville O'Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer). He then changed his name to Peter Tosh and the trio started singing together in 1962. Higgs taught the trio to harmonise and while developing their music, they would often play on the street corners of Trenchtown.
In 1964 Tosh helped organise the band the Wailing Wailers, with Junior Braithwaite, a falsetto singer, and backup singers Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith. Initially, Tosh was the only one in the group who could play musical instruments. According to Bunny Wailer, Tosh was critical to the band because he was a self-taught guitarist and keyboardist, and thus became an inspiration for the other band members to learn to play. The Wailing Wailers had a major ska hit with their first single, "Simmer Down", and recorded several more successful singles before Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith left the band in late 1965. Marley spent much of 1966 in Delaware in the United States with his mother, Cedella (née Malcolm) Marley-Booker, and for a brief time was working at a nearby Chrysler factory. He returned to Jamaica in early 1967 with a renewed interest in music and a new spirituality. Tosh and Bunny were already Rastafarians when Marley returned from the US, and the three became very involved with the Rastafari faith. Soon afterwards, they renamed the musical group the Wailers. Tosh would explain later that they chose the name Wailers because to "wail" means to mourn or to, as he put it, "...express one's feelings vocally". He also claims that he was the beginning of the group, and that it was he who first taught Bob Marley the guitar. Also according to Bunny Wailer, the early Wailers learned to play instruments from Tosh.
During the mid-1960s Tosh, along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, were introduced to Danny Sims and Johnny Nash who signed the three artists to an exclusive recording contract on Sims' and Nash's JAD Records label as well as an exclusive publishing agreement through Sims' music publishing company, Cayman Music. Rejecting the up-tempo dance of ska, the band slowed their music to a rocksteady pace, and infused their lyrics with political and social messages inspired by their new-found faith. The Wailers composed several songs for the American-born singer Nash before teaming with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry to record some of the earliest well-known reggae songs, including "Soul Rebel", "Duppy Conqueror", and "Small Axe". The collaboration had given birth to reggae music and in 1970 bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett, joined the group. They recorded the album The Best of The Wailers, which was produced by Leslie Kong and released in 1971.[citation needed]
In 1972, Danny Sims assigned the balance of the JAD Records recording contract with the band to Chris Blackwell and Island Records company and released their debut, Catch a Fire, in 1973, following it with Burnin' the same year. The Wailers had moved from many producers after 1970 and there were instances where producers would record rehearsal sessions that Tosh did and release them in England under the name "Peter Touch".
In 1973, Tosh was driving home with his girlfriend Evonne when his car was hit by another car driving on the wrong side of the road. The accident killed Evonne and severely fractured Tosh's skull. After Island Records president Chris Blackwell refused to issue his solo album in 1974, Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the Wailers, citing the unfair treatment they received from Blackwell, to whom Tosh often referred with a derogatory play on Blackwell's surname, 'Whiteworst'. Tosh had written many of the Wailers' hit songs such as "Get Up, Stand Up", "400 Years", and "No Sympathy". Tosh began recording and released his solo debut, Legalize It, in 1976 with CBS Records company, and Treasure Isle. The title track soon became popular among endorsers of cannabis legalization, reggae music lovers and Rastafari all over the world, and was a favourite at Tosh's concerts.
That was his last album from the Wailers, Island Records. In 2013, a book co-written by French scholar Dr Jeremie Kroubo Dagnini and American Lee Jaffe, his former associate, says Tosh was part of a smuggling operation that raised money to fund this album.
Solo career
Tosh started to make his own albums with Rolling Stones Records and CBS Records Equal Rights followed in 1977, featuring his recording of a song co-written with Marley, "Get Up, Stand Up", and a cover of "Stepping Razor" that would also appear on the soundtrack to the film Rockers.
Tosh organised a backing band, Word, Sound and Power, who were to accompany him on tour for the next few years, and many of whom performed on his albums of this period. In 1978, the Rolling Stones record label Rolling Stones Records contracted with Tosh, on which the album Bush Doctor was released, introducing Tosh to a larger audience. The album featured Rolling Stones frontmen Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the lead single – a cover version of The Temptations song "Don't Look Back" – was performed as a duet with Jagger.
During Bob Marley's free One Love Peace Concert of 1978, Tosh lit a marijuana spliff and lectured about legalising cannabis, lambasting attending dignitaries Michael Manley and Edward Seaga for their failure to enact such legislation. Several months later he was apprehended by police as he left Skateland dance hall in Kingston and was beaten severely while in police custody.
Mystic Man (1979), and Wanted Dread and Alive (1981) followed, both released on Rolling Stones Records. Tosh tried to gain some mainstream success while keeping his militant views, but was only moderately successful, especially when compared to Marley's achievements.
In 1984, after the release of 1983's album Mama Africa, Tosh went into self-imposed exile, seeking the spiritual advice of traditional medicine men in Africa, and trying to free himself from recording agreements that distributed his records in South Africa. Tosh had been at odds for several years with his label, EMI, over a perceived lack of promotion for his music.
Tosh also participated in the international opposition to South African apartheid by appearing at anti-apartheid concerts and by conveying his opinion in various songs like "Apartheid" (1977, re-recorded 1987), "Equal Rights" (1977), "Fight On" (1979), and "Not Gonna Give It Up" (1983). In 1987, Peter Tosh seemed to be having a career revival. He was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Performance in 1987 for No Nuclear War, his last record.
Death
On 11 September 1987, just after Tosh had returned to his home in Jamaica, a three-man gang came to his house on motorcycles demanding money. Tosh replied that he did not have any with him but the gang did not believe him. They stayed at his residence for several hours and tortured Tosh in an attempt to extort money from him. Over the hours, as various associates of Tosh arrived to visit him, they were also taken hostage by the gunmen. The gunmen became more and more frustrated, especially the chief thug, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban, a man whom Tosh had previously befriended and tried to help find work after a long jail sentence. Tosh said he did not have any money in the house, after which Lobban and the fellow gunmen began opening fire in a reckless manner. Tosh was shot twice in the head and killed. Herbalist Wilton "Doc" Brown and disc jockey Jeff 'Free I' Dixon also died as a result of wounds sustained during the robbery. Several others in the house were wounded, including Tosh's common law wife Andrea Marlene Brown, Free I's wife Yvonne ("Joy"); Tosh's drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis, and musician Michael Robinson.
According to Police Commissioner Herman Ricketts, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban surrendered and two other men were interrogated but not publicly named. Lobban went on to plead innocent during his trial, telling the court he had been drinking with friends. The trial was held in a closed court due to the involvement of illegal firearms. Lobban was ultimately found guilty by a jury of eight women and four men and sentenced to death by hanging. His sentence was commuted in 1995 and Lobban remains in jail. Another suspect was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The other two gunmen were never identified by name.
Discography
Legalize It (1976)
Equal Rights (1977)
Bush Doctor (1978)
Mystic Man (1979)
Wanted Dread & Alive (1981)
Mama Africa (1983)
No Nuclear War (1987)
Igziabeher
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Negusa neghast, let Jah be praised
Medanialam, let Jah be praised
Let Him be praised, let Him be praised
You better let Him be praised
He watereth the hills from his chambers
And the Earth is satisfied, so satisfied
Jah made the herb for man, He made the herb for man
Jah made the herb for man
Fret not thyself because of evildoers
Neither be thou envious against the workers of inequity
For they shall soon be cut down, cut down like grass
And they shall wither like corn
Let Jah arise and let all His enemies be scattered
Let them that hate Jah, now scatter, shatter, batter and flatter
As the smoke was driven away, Jah, drive them away
As the wax melted, let them be melted Jah, Jah
Igziabeher, let Jah be praised
Medanialam, let Jah be praised
Negusa neghast, let Jah be praised
You better let Him be praised, let Him be praised
You better let Him be praised, I said, let Him be praised
Oh, lightning
earthquake
brimstone
ball of fire
I said lightning
brimstone and fire
Igziabeher
weak heart scatter, shatter, flatter and batter
I feel it, weak heart feel it
Kill them dead before them spread
Kill them dead before them spread
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
The song "Igziabeher" by Peter Tosh is an ode to Jah, or God, and a call to praise him. The first verse repeats the phrase "let Jah be praised" in three different languages: English, Amharic ("Negusa neghast"), and Tigrinya ("Medanialam"). It's a simple, catchy refrain that sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The second verse describes Jah's power as a provider of life. He waters the hills and makes the grass grow for animals, and he created herbs for humans. Tosh is likely referencing the use of marijuana in the Rastafari movement, which he was a part of. The idea is that Jah created the herb for spiritual and medicinal use, not just for recreational purposes.
The third verse is a warning to those who do evil. Tosh cautions against envy and reminds listeners that wrongdoers will ultimately be punished. He then calls on Jah to scatter his enemies and protect his followers. The song ends with a powerful crescendo of sound effects and repeating chants of "kill them dead before them spread."
Overall, "Igziabeher" is a highly spiritual and powerful song that combines elements of reggae, Rastafarianism, and African culture. It's a call to praise Jah and to trust in his protection against evil.
Line by Line Meaning
Igziabeher, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
Negusa neghast, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
Medanialam, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
Let Him be praised, let Him be praised
Let Jah be praised
You better let Him be praised
You should praise Jah
He watereth the hills from his chambers
Jah waters the hills from his chambers
And the Earth is satisfied, so satisfied
and the Earth is satisfied when He does
He maketh the grass to grow for animals
Jah makes the grass grow for animals
Jah made the herb for man, He made the herb for man
Jah made the herb for man
Jah made the herb for man
Jah made the herb for man
Fret not thyself because of evildoers
Do not worry about evildoers
Neither be thou envious against the workers of inequity
Do not be envious of the workers of iniquity
For they shall soon be cut down, cut down like grass
They will soon be cut down like grass
And they shall wither like corn
And they shall wither like corn
Let Jah arise and let all His enemies be scattered
Let Jah arise and scatter all His enemies
Let them that hate Jah, now scatter, shatter, batter and flatter
Let Jah's enemies scatter, shatter, batter and flatter
As the smoke was driven away, Jah, drive them away
As smoke is driven away, Jah, drive them away
As the wax melted, let them be melted Jah, Jah
Let them be melted like wax, Jah, Jah
Igziabeher, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
Medanialam, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
Negusa neghast, let Jah be praised
Let Jah be praised
You better let Him be praised, let Him be praised
You should praise Jah
You better let Him be praised, I said, let Him be praised
You should praise Jah
Oh, lightning
Oh, lightning
earthquake
earthquake
brimstone
brimstone
ball of fire
a ball of fire
I said lightning
I said lightning
brimstone and fire
brimstone and fire
Igziabeher
Jah
weak heart scatter, shatter, flatter and batter
Weak hearts will scatter, shatter, flatter, and batter
I feel it, weak heart feel it
I feel it and weak hearts feel it
Kill them dead before them spread
Kill them before they spread
Kill them dead before them spread
Kill them before they spread
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them before they spread and kill them dead
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them before they spread and kill them dead
Kill them dead before them spread, kill them dead
Kill them before they spread and kill them dead
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gosset Yoh
let jah be praised/otherwise,this is whats going to happen. he who got ear, just ear it.
@laughingdaffodils5450
Igziabeher,
let Jah be praised!
Negusa neghast,
let Jah be praised!
Medanialam,
let Jah be praised!
Let Him be praised,
let Him be praised,
You better let Him be praised!
He watereth the hills from his chambers
And the Earth is satisfied, so satisfied.
He maketh the grass,
to grow for cows.
Jah made the herb for man,
He made the herb for man .
Jah made the herb for man!
Fret not thyself,
because of evildoers
Neither be thou envious,
against the workers of inequity.
For they shall soon be cut down,
cut down like grass.
And they shall wither like corn!
(instrumental/solo)
Let Jah arise,
and let all His enemies be scattered!
Let them that hate Jah,
now scatter, shatter, batter and flatter!
As the smoke was driven away,
Jah,
drive them away!
As the rocks melted,
let them be melted!
Jah Jah!
Igziabeher,
let Jah be praised!
Medanialam,
let Jah be praised!
Negusa neghast,
let Jah be praised!
You better let Him be praised!
Let Him be praised!
You better let Him be praised!
I said let Him be praised!
Or lightning!
Earthquake!
Brimstone!
Or the fire!
I said lightning!
Brimstone and fire!
Igziabeher!
[...]scatter, shatter, flatter and batter!
[...]feel it!
[...]feel it!
[...]
(Fade out, if you can be sure what he's singing please reply, I really start losing it here.)
@mothibiphosa3664
Peter Tosh is the authentic, radical, unparalled, peerless and greatest of all time... ! Let Jah be Praised!!!
@jeanclarke9106
Totally agree. Bless
@jeremygauer7883
😀👍
@bartholomew9999
I remember hearing on the radio that he had been murdered.
Just a few years after Bob succumbed to cancer. I was in shock for days.
The death of no other musician affected me as much.
@bigspin69
A mystic man ❤❤
@bigspin69
@@jeanclarke9106he wrote some of Bobs greatest Hits
@sevenspaulding123
I opened a concert for his son. What an honor. His son is a very humble person. 🥁🎹⚔
@lo3ful
God bless you for that King ✊🏻🙏🏻
@anja27819
How could his son not be a humble person