Ras Sh… Read Full Bio ↴Born In Brooklyn New York, formerly known as big belly youth.
Ras Shiloh Coming Home
Article by Diane “Livonn” Adam
“Ras Shiloh’s voice remains piercing yet amazingly gentle. He displays a different range on Coming Home than previously heard. Clearly, this young Rasta’s voice is maturing in a direction that still places him as one of the highest order of Jah’s angels --- a Seraphim for the new millennium and beyond.” – Diane “Livonn” Adam
Ras Shiloh has been a truly missed live performance artist in Northern California. So it’s with much anticipation that this Brooklyn-born artist is back to the business of delivering the sweet sound of reggae in his own unique way with his superb new 2007 CD release, Coming Home (VP Records) produced by the legendary Bobby “Digital" Dixon.
Coming Home is truly a work of art and a labor of love by Ras Shiloh and producer Bobby Digital. A winning combination considering the Garnet Silk-like vocals of Ras Shiloh and Digital’s many accomplishments including his production work on Sizzla’s Da Real Thing and Black Woman & Child. From start to finish Coming Home is roots and culture at its highest and easily one of the best reggae releases this year. No doubt, this one will keep rotating in your music players day and night! Opening the album is the soul-stirring, “We Need Love” refraining that, We need more / Our nation is crying out / We need more love (love is what we’re searching for) in this world today / Promise us a better way / We need more joy (joy is what we need today) / a place for the children to play / Where is the sunny day...” Coming Home’s success can also be attributed to some brilliant musicianship from Squidley Cole on drums, Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis on bass, Dalton Browne on guitars, Paul “Right Move” Crossdale, Sidney Mills, Mikey Spice and Benjy Myaz on keyboards and the great Dean Fraser on sax.
For many of us the introduction in 1998 of Ras Shiloh came by way of his 1998 CD release, Babylon You Doom which subsequently took him on tour to California to perform. His distinctive a cappella vocals literally took wings throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as he performed from Maritime Hall to Reggae In The Park and seemed to take root as a young artist who was destined to make it to the top. Personal issues may have played a part in his departure from the music scene in the Bay Area but it has not stopped this young Rasta from continuing what he does best, releasing a comeback album in 2002 with From Rasta To You (VP Records).
Accolades for Coming Home are many since every track on this CD is pure gold. Songs I find particularly impressive are “Give A Little Love”, the spiritually felt, “What You Have Done” and “Come Down Jah Jah”, “The New Rising Day” featuring Bascone X and “It Will Be Over” featuring Natural Black. The album also features Morgan Heritage on the song “Let The People Voice Be Heard”.
Ras Shiloh’s voice remains piercing yet amazingly gentle. He displays a different range on Coming Home than previously heard. Clearly, this young Rasta’s voice is maturing in a direction that still places him as one of the highest order of Jah’s angels --- a Seraphim for the new millennium and beyond.
http://www.reggaereview.com
Give I Strenght Feat. Buju Banton
Ras Shiloh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Indeed I see pestilence and plague
But I'm not afraid
They are looking for what they can take
Come in all size appear in all shape
Lord give us the vision to differentiate
Yeah they lay wait, we shall escape
God who protect is greater than great
In all that we do He holds our fate
Jah Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Teach the youths them right in the way they should grow
Joy is a stream constantly flow
And I don't want to be unhappy
Let me live till I'm gray
I work hard to get pay
Keep out of tale bearers and back-biters way
Never let this bit of education decay no way
Jah Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
(Ras Shiloh's part)
Jah Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
Give I strength
Jah give us strength
Never let us fail
To live out the greater part of our days
Give us strength
(Ras Shiloh's part)
Teach the youths them right in the way they should grow
Joy is a stream constantly flow
And I don't want to be unhappy
Let me live till I'm gray
I work hard to get pay
Keep out of tale bearers and back-biters way
Never let this bit of education decay no way
Jah Jah give I strength
Never let I fail
To live out the greater part of my days
In this song, Ras Shiloh and Buju Banton are singing about their desire for strength to live a fulfilling life. They ask God to give them the strength to overcome any obstacles that may come their way and to allow them to live out their days in a positive way. They acknowledge that there are challenges such as pestilence and plague, but they have faith that with God's help they will overcome them. They discuss the importance of teaching the youth and keeping away from negative influences. The song encourages listeners to have faith, work hard, and strive for happiness until they are old and gray.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was released in 1998 on Ras Shiloh's album "From Rasta to You." It features reggae legends Ras Shiloh and Buju Banton collaborating on a powerful message of hope, faith, and perseverance. Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by Phillip "Fattis" Burrell, who was a prominent figure in the reggae industry and known for producing music that conveyed a positive message.
The song's lyrics have been praised for their positivity and encouraging message, which is a common theme in reggae music. It has been played on radio stations and at events all over the world and is well-loved by reggae fans. Interestingly, the song has been covered by several other artists, including Bernice Offei, a Ghanaian gospel artist who released a version of the song in 2018.
Overall, "Give I Strength" is an inspiring song that speaks to the power of faith and perseverance. It reminds listeners that with strength, positivity, and a sense of purpose, they can overcome any challenges in life.
Chords (as played on guitar):
Intro: A, E, F#m, D, E
Verse: A, E, F#m, D, E
Chorus: A, E, F#m, D, E
Bridge: D, E, A, D, E, F#m
Line by Line Meaning
Lord give I strength
Asking for divine strength to continue living and facing life's challenges
Never let I fail
Asking for divine guidance to avoid failure in life's endeavors
To live out the greater part of my days
Asking for the strength to live a long and fulfilling life.
Indeed I see pestilence and plague
Acknowledging the presence of problems and obstacles in life.
But I'm not afraid
Expressing a brave and fearless attitude towards the obstacles.
They are looking for what they can take
The obstacles are trying to take something away from the singer.
Come in all size appear in all shape
The obstacles come in various forms and sizes.
Lord give us the vision to differentiate
Asking for discernment and clarity to recognize and overcome the obstacles.
Yeah they lay wait, we shall escape
The obstacles are waiting for the singer to fail, but he will overcome them.
God who protect is greater than great
Acknowledging the greatness and protection of the divine power.
In all that we do He holds our fate
Believing in the divine plan and guidance for one's life.
Teach the youths them right in the way they should grow
Encouraging the education and guidance of the younger generation.
Joy is a stream constantly flow
Encouraging a life full of joy and positivity.
And I don't want to be unhappy
Expressing a desire for a positive and happy life.
Let me live till I'm gray
Asking for a long life until old age.
I work hard to get pay
Believing in the value of hard work and earning a living.
Keep out of tale bearers and back-biters way
Avoiding negative and toxic people who spread rumors and gossip.
Never let this bit of education decay no way
Emphasizing the importance of continuing education and personal growth.
Jah give us strength
Asking for divine strength for the collective (singer and others).
Never let us fail
Asking for divine guidance to avoid failure in life's endeavors.
To live out the greater part of our days
Asking for the strength to live a long and fulfilling life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donald Dennis, Lowell Dunbar, Mark Myrie, Donovan Germain, Steve Andrew Lindo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind