Bunny Lee first recorded Far I in the early 70's with a tune called "The Great Booga Wooga". He went on to cut tunes for Coxsone, notably "Natty Farmyard" and a version of "Queen of the Minstrel". In 1973 the Cordell's "Simpleton" appeared on the Lion label, with the flip being a strange half-sung half-chanted version by the Prince entitled "Simpleton Skank". In 1974 he voiced "Let Jah arise" for Enos McLeod at King Tubbys, and it is Enos who can be credited with renaming the DJ as Prince Far I. After some self-productions which appeared on Pete Weston's Micron outlet, Prince Far I hit a period which included two of reggae's greatest DJ albums. Firstly the "Psalms for I" collection, a straight chant of bible word. The second landmark album was "Under Heavy Manners" for producer Joe Gibbs, engineered by Erroll Thompson. It contained the Prince's first big Jamaican hit single, "Heavy Manners", on the rhythm of Naggo Morris' "Su Su Pon Rasta".
In 1976 Prince Far I set up his own label in Jamaica -- Cry Tuff. That label issued Far I's productions in Jamaica. His UK business ran through the fledgling label Hit Run, created by Adrian Sherwood. This arrangement was almost one of master and pupil, as the Arabs/Roots Radics became Dub Syndicate with Sherwood learning the studio craft as both producer and engineer. The rhythm tracks were laid in Jamaica by Style Scott & Co, the mix and overdubs taken care of in London. "Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter III" by Prince Far I and the Arabs was originally released in the UK by that most avuncular of record shop proprietors Keith Stone of Daddy Kool. It marked the handing on of the producer's baton from Far I to Sherwood, soon to launch On U Sound at a time when many critics considered reggae to be a finished force.
Prince Far I was shot dead in Jamaica, September 15, 1983.
Kingdom Of God
Prince Far I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than a rich man should enter the Kingdom of Jah
O God!
Silver and gold have I none
Rich man gain
Poor man lost
Clean hands and a pure heart
They shall see God
Declaration of rights
Equal rights!
Judgement stand for each and every one
It's a message from the King
This music, black Reggae music
Is a message from the King
Jah-Jah guide thy out and protect thy in
Guide thy going in and protect thy coming out
Guide I going in and protect I coming out
It is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle
Than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Jah
RASTAFARI!!
Selassie I!
Our guide
Wadadadadadadadaddadadadadadadadadddadadadadadaad...
Wadadadada waddada waddada waddada... Aaaah
Penetrate them, Jah-Jah, penetrate them
I tear them, Jah-Jah, I tear them (???)
Co' I and I inaugurate them
Folly dem a deal with, folly!
Folly, folly, I-ah, folly dem a deal with
I tear them, Jah, I tear them (???)
Penetrate them, Jah-Jah, penetrate them
Coz they don't know what they have done
And Africa dream a dream and behold darkness spread over the whole earth
In the new days of righteousness
And the fourth world begun
Hehe! The fourth world I-ah
Third world end and a fourth world now
Easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle
Than a rich man should enter the Kingdom of Jah
O Jah
O Jah
O Jah
Irie
Prince Far I's song "Kingdom of God" is a powerful political and social commentary mixed with a message of hope and faith. The first stanza references Jesus' famous saying about the difficulty of rich people entering the kingdom of heaven. Prince Far I tweaks this quote to say that it's easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Jah (Jah being slang for God or the divine). This implies that the wealthy and powerful are less likely to attain spiritual enlightenment, while the poor who keep their hands clean and hearts pure will have a better chance.
The second stanza is a call for equal rights and justice for all. "This music, black Reggae music" is referred to as a message from the King (Jah or Selassie I, the Rastafarian messianic figurehead). The message here is twofold: that the Rastafarian music is a way to spread a message of hope and faith, and that it's a call to action for social change. The lines "Guide I going in and protect I coming out" is a plea for divine protection from oppression and persecution.
The final stanza references the concept of the end times or the apocalypse, saying that Africa dreams of righteousness being restored to the world, but darkness still reigns. The line "third world end and a fourth world now" is a reference to the idea that the world is transitioning from the third world (i.e. the post-colonial era) to an age of greater enlightenment and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
It is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle
It is extremely difficult for rich people to enter the Kingdom of Jah
Than a rich man should enter the Kingdom of Jah
Riches do not guarantee entry into the Kingdom of Jah
O God!
A call for divine intervention
Silver and gold have I none
I have no material wealth
Rich man gain
Rich people benefit from their riches
Poor man lost
Poverty predisposes people to failure
Clean hands and a pure heart
Being morally upright guarantees seeing God
They shall see God
God reveals himself to those who have clean hands and a pure heart
Jah-Jah guide thy going out and protect thy coming in
A plea for divine guidance and protection
Declaration of rights
Affirmation of human rights
Equal rights!
Demand for a just and equitable society
Judgement stand for each and every one
The principle of justice applies to all individuals
This music, black Reggae music
The song is a tool for spreading a message
Is a message from the King
The song is a revelation from Jah
Jah-Jah guide thy out and protect thy in
A plea for divine intervention in daily activities
Guide thy going in and protect thy coming out
God's guidance and protection are needed for all actions
Guide I going in and protect I coming out
Personal request for God's protection and guidance
RASTAFARI!!
A shout of praise to Jah
Selassie I!
Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, regarded by Rastafarians as God incarnate
Our guide
A declaration of faith in Haile Selassie's leadership
Wadadadadadadadaddadadadadadadadadddadadadadadaad...
Nonsensical chanting and vocalizations
Wadadadada waddada waddada waddada... Aaaah
More nonsensical chanting and vocalizations
Penetrate them, Jah-Jah, penetrate them
A call for divine intervention in defeating adversaries
I tear them, Jah-Jah, I tear them (???)
A declaration of victory over opponents
Co' I and I inaugurate them
I and my people initiate and lead the movement
Folly dem a deal with, folly!
A criticism of those who engage in foolish behavior
Folly, folly, I-ah, folly dem a deal with
Reinforcement of the earlier criticism of follies
Coz they don't know what they have done
They are ignorant and unaware of their actions
And Africa dream a dream and behold darkness spread over the whole earth
Africa has aspirations, but the world is in chaos
In the new days of righteousness
A prophecy of a time when justice will prevail
And the fourth world begun
A new era has started
Third world end and a fourth world now
An affirmation that a new era has started
O Jah
A plea for divine intervention
Irie
Positive vibes and feelings of well-being
Contributed by Penelope J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.