Wanted Dread and Alive
Peter Tosh Lyrics


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Said I'm wanted, dread & alive
By the evil forces
Said I'm wanted, dread & alive
Nowhere to hide
They are trying to find me
CHORUS

Babylon charge I for ganja
Which I know couldn't do
How could one man Gang Jah
Must be an ape from the zoo

CHORUS

I've been accused for a shootin'
Which I know never do
Who dem in prison that willing dey
So I've got to pull my way through

CHORUS

Yesterday was court day
And I-Man forget to go
Today my name is in my papers
And next warrant they will show

CHORUS

Now I've got to
Judge two guns
To protect myself from men
'Cause I've never done nothin' wrong
And I hate traveling scared





CHORUS

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Peter Tosh's song Wanted Dread and Alive express the feeling of being hunted and persecuted by the oppressive "evil forces" of Babylon. Tosh declares that he is wanted, "dread and alive," and that he has nowhere to hide. This could be interpreted as a statement about the experience of being a Rastafarian in Jamaica- a minority group that was often discriminated against and persecuted by the authorities.


The lyrics also touch on two specific accusations that Tosh has been facing. Firstly, he has been charged with possessing ganja (marijuana), which he insists he did not do. Secondly, he has been accused of a shooting that he knows he did not commit. Tosh seems to be expressing frustration at the corrupt legal system and the way that innocent people can be wrongly accused and punished.


Overall, the lyrics to Wanted Dread and Alive express a feeling of defiance and determination in the face of oppression. Tosh refuses to be intimidated or silenced and expresses a desire to protect himself and stand up for his rights.


Line by Line Meaning

Said I'm wanted, dread & alive
I am a target of the wicked forces and they are seeking to capture me, but I am not yet defeated.


By the evil forces
I am threatened by evil enemies who are seeking my harm.


Nowhere to hide
I have no place to conceal myself from the searching eyes of my pursuers.


They are trying to find me
My adversaries are actively seeking me out in order to harm me.


Babylon charge I for ganja
I have been charged with a crime for possessing marijuana by the Babylonian authorities.


Which I know couldn't do
I am innocent of this crime that I have been accused of.


How could one man Gang Jah
It is impossible for one person to overpower Jah, who is the ultimate power.


Must be an ape from the zoo
Any person claiming to be strong enough to overpower Jah must be mentally ill.


I've been accused for a shootin'
I have been accused of committing a shooting crime that I have not committed.


Which I know never do
I am wrongly accused of this crime and I am innocent.


Who dem in prison that willing dey
There are people in prison who are willing to serve sentences for crimes they have not committed.


So I've got to pull my way through
I must struggle and overcome my challenges in order to prove my innocence.


Yesterday was court day
I missed the court date that was set for me yesterday.


And I-Man forget to go
I unintentionally forgot about my court appointment and failed to show up.


Today my name is in my papers
Today my name is published in the news as being wanted by the authorities.


And next warrant they will show
The authorities will soon issue another arrest warrant for me.


Now I've got to
I am now compelled to take action.


Judge two guns
I must judge and assess the merits of carrying two guns for my protection.


To protect myself from men
I must take measures to defend myself against men who want to do me harm.


'Cause I've never done nothin' wrong
As an innocent person, I have not committed any crimes that would justify being hunted like an animal.


And I hate traveling scared
I dislike the feeling of fear and anxiety that comes from always being on the run and constantly looking over my shoulded.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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