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)
Jah Seh No
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all the heathens go free?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
Must Rasta live in misery
And heathens in luxury?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
Drive away transgression,
Clean up corruption,
Rule equality.
Must righteous live in pain
And always put to shame?
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
Must they be found guilty
And always get the blame?
Jah say no. Father say no.
He's gonna tear down the walls of downpression,
Drive away transgression,
Clean up the corruption,
Set the captives free.
He will not give I and I
More than I can bear.
Jah say no. Jah say no.
He will not make Lucifer
Get your soul to smear.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
Clean up the corruption,
Drive away transgression,
Rule equality.
He will not make I
Dash I foot 'gainst the stone.
Jah say no. Father say no.
No form of destruction
Won't crumble my bones.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
Eliminate Satan,
Clean up corruption,
Rule equality.
So I will not bear this cross alone
And all the world go free.
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
I will not stay poor
Living in poverty.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a come clean up corruption,
Drive away transgression,
Tear down Babylon,
Set the captives free.
Set them free!
Clean it up!
Long time...
Set these captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free. Yeah.
Tear down Babylon!
Clean up corruption!
Drive away transgression!
Set the captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free.
Set the captives free!
The lyrics of Peter Tosh's song "Jah Seh No" address the injustices faced by Rastafarians and righteous individuals at the hands of those in power. The song begins with a rhetorical question asking if Rastafarians must bear their struggles alone while the "heathens" enjoy luxury. The answer, according to Jah (God), is "no." The lyrics continue to express the idea that Jah is coming to tear down the oppressive walls and eliminate corruption and transgression to rule with equality.
The song expresses the belief in Jah's power to make things right and to not give people more than they can bear. The lyrics also reject the idea of blaming and shaming the righteous and promise that Jah will set the captives free. The song ends with a call to action, telling listeners to clean up, tear down Babylon (a symbol for oppression), and set the captives free.
Overall, "Jah Seh No" is a call for justice and equality for all people, regardless of their religion or status in society. It emphasizes the belief that Jah is just and will not tolerate oppression or corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
Must Rasta bear this cross alone
And all the heathens go free?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
Should Rastafarians bear the burden of oppression by themselves while the heathens enjoy freedom? Jah (God) says no, this is not acceptable.
Must Rasta live in misery
And heathens in luxury?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
Is it fair for Rastafarians to suffer while non-Rastafarians live in luxury? Jah says no, this is not acceptable.
He's coming to tear down the walls of downpression,
Drive away transgression,
Clean up corruption,
Rule equality.
God (Jah) will soon come and destroy oppressive systems, eliminate wrongdoing, eradicate corruption and establish equality.
Must righteous live in pain
And always put to shame?
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
Should the righteous continue to suffer and be humiliated all the time? Jah says no, this is not acceptable.
Must they be found guilty
And always get the blame?
Jah say no. Father say no.
Is it just for the righteous to be accused of wrongdoing and blamed all the time? Jah and the Father say no, this is unjust.
He's gonna tear down the walls of downpression,
Drive away transgression,
Clean up the corruption,
Set the captives free.
God will destroy oppressive systems, eliminate wrongdoing, eradicate corruption and set the oppressed free.
He will not give I and I
More than I can bear.
Jah say no. Jah say no.
God will not let Rastafarians face more challenges than they can handle. Jah says no, this is not acceptable.
He will not make Lucifer
Get your soul to smear.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
God will not allow the devil to corrupt your soul. Jah and the Father say no, this is not acceptable.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
Clean up the corruption,
Drive away transgression,
Rule equality.
God will destroy oppressive systems (referred to as Babylon), eliminate wrongdoing, eradicate corruption, and establish equality.
He will not make I
Dash I foot 'gainst the stone.
Jah say no. Father say no.
God will prevent Rastafarians from stumbling and getting hurt both physically and metaphorically. Jah and the Father say no, this is not acceptable.
No form of destruction
Won't crumble my bones.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
God will not let any form of destruction harm Rastafarians. Jah and the Father say no, this is not acceptable.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
Eliminate Satan,
Clean up corruption,
Rule equality.
God will destroy oppressive systems (referred to as Babylon), eliminate the devil, eradicate corruption, and establish equality.
So I will not bear this cross alone
And all the world go free.
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
Rastafarians should not bear the burden of oppression by themselves while others enjoy freedom. Jah says no, this is not acceptable.
I will not stay poor
Living in poverty.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Rastafarians should not continue living in poverty. Jah and the Father say no, this is not acceptable.
Him a come clean up corruption,
Drive away transgression,
Tear down Babylon,
Set the captives free.
God will eradicate corruption, eliminate wrongdoing, destroy oppressive systems (referred to as Babylon), and set the oppressed free.
Set them free!
Clean it up!
Long time...
Set these captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free.
Set the captives free!
God should set the oppressed free, clean up corruption and eliminate their suffering. This has to happen soon and has been long overdue.
Writer(s): PETER TOSH
Contributed by Makayla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ukanaandrew2021
Peter Tosh will always remain my dream musician till tomorrow. Jah say No
@francisllewelyn5867
Tosh was a musical genius. Gone to soon
@marcelobonin2291
Who is listening to Peter in 2022?
Blesses from Brazil
@mounirerra
Peter Tosh the friend we never had. Rest in peace Prophet.
@nkosingiphilehlatshwayo
I will not stay poor, livin in poverty! Jah say no!
@johnkioko479
👊👊👊👊 Jah sey no
@gilbertyveschimtokoma7635
His music will live on.
@kenneth6417
One of the most powerful reggae song ever written and sung,what an incredible vocal presentation ❤
@kalesysikalunda3482
For sure, i will not stay poor and living in poverty! Says our father
@kalesysikalunda3482
Set the captives free