She grew up in Jamaica, and was singing with a trio named The Soulettes in the mid sixties recording for Studio One when she met Bob Marley. She married him in 1966, and then became a singer in his backing vocals group, the I Threes. She had three children with him and two outside of the marriage. She converted to the Rastafari movement after witnessing Haile Selassie on his visit to Kingston, Jamaica on 21 April 1966. She convinced Bob Marley to convert as well. She wrote many of the songs recorded by Bob while backing him.[citation needed] After Marley's death, she recorded few albums under her name with some success in the United Kingdom. She took care of Marley's estate and mentored her son, Ziggy Marley.
In January 2005 it was claimed that she wished Bob Marley's body be reburied in Ethiopia, but she denied that there were any such plans. Rita currently lives in Ghana and spends a lot of time in Florida, and sometimes her home in Jamaica. Some of her family reside in Canada.
Rita appears on Fergie's new album The Dutchess
Harambé
Rita Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Rasta at the control
They try to keep us down
Scatter us all around
To diverse parts of the earth
Hoping we'd waste away
But no matter what they do
But no matter what they say
Harambe Harambe Rastaman say harambe
Harambe Harambe The Higher One say Haramb
What colour is the rainbow
Check it the next time it shows
That's the way we should be
All together in harmony
We sailing in the same boat
We rocking up the same stream
So no matter what they do
So no matter what they say
All a Jah Jah children a go Harambe
Harambe Harambe Rastaman say Harambe
Harambe Harambe The Higher One say Haramb
Can a leopard change its spots
Or Jah Jah children their skin
Bob say blood is thicker than water
Love will take us further
So don't feel no way
Cause a so Jah Jah say
And no matter what they do
And no matter what they say
All a Jah Jah children a go harambe
Harambe Harambe Rastaman say Harambe
Harambe Harambe The Higher One say Haramb
The Natural way Harambe
The African way Harambe
Don't feel no way Harambe
A so Jah Jah say Harambe
Member Gong say Harambe
In Rita Marley's song "Harambe," she addresses the persistent efforts of those in power to keep down Rastafarian and African people. The first stanza speaks of these attempts to scatter them across the earth, hoping they will waste away. However, despite everything they do or say, all of Jah Jah's children will come together in Harambe. Harambe is a Swahili word meaning "let us all pull together" and is often used in African cultures as a rallying cry. Marley continues to use the word throughout the song as a call for unity among a people who have suffered from centuries of oppression.
In the second stanza, Marley references the rainbow as a metaphor for harmony and unity among all people, regardless of color or background. She argues that, like a rainbow, humanity should be diverse and vibrant but working together towards a common goal. The third stanza asks whether Jah Jah's children can change their skin, essentially questioning the notion of diversity being a problem. She quotes Bob Marley's famous saying: "blood is thicker than water," reminding us that we are all part of the same human family. She urges the listener to follow the natural and African way, as this is what Jah Jah dictates.
Overall, "Harambe" is a powerful call to unity among marginalized communities. It speaks to the resilience and determination of those who have suffered oppression for generations, and the belief that they will come together to overcome it. By referencing Swahili culture and language, it also acknowledges the interconnectedness of global struggles against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
ltes Green and Gold
The colors of the Rastafarian flag represent the beauty of nature and the wealth of the African people.
A Rasta at the control
Rastafarians believe that they have control over their own destinies.
They try to keep us down
Oppressive forces attempt to suppress Rastafarians and African people.
Scatter us all around
People of African descent have been dispersed across the world due to various forms of exploitation and displacement.
To diverse parts of the earth
The people of African descent have been distributed to different parts of the world without regard for cultural or geographic boundaries.
Hoping we'd waste away
Oppressive forces hope to disenfranchise and disempower people of African descent so that they will lose hope and give up.
But no matter what they do
Despite the odds against them, people of African descent will continue to strive against oppression.
But no matter what they say
Despite attempts to justify oppression, people of African descent will resist it.
All a Jah Jah children a go Harambe
All people of African descent will continue to strive and struggle.
Harambe Harambe Rastaman say harambe
Rastafarians call out for unity and perseverance.
Harambe Harambe The Higher One say Haramb
God calls for unity and perseverance.
What colour is the rainbow
The rainbow shows the beauty of diversity and harmony.
Check it the next time it shows
Take note of this symbol of diversity the next time it appears.
That's the way we should be
People should learn to live in harmony despite their differences.
All together in harmony
People must unite if they want to overcome oppression and establish a just society.
We sailing in the same boat
People share a common destiny.
We rocking up the same stream
People strive together towards the same goal.
So no matter what they do
Oppressive forces cannot prevent people from striving towards their goals.
So no matter what they say
Oppressive forces cannot prevent people from speaking out against injustice.
Can a leopard change its spots
People cannot fundamentally change who they are.
Or Jah Jah children their skin
People of African descent cannot change their race.
Bob say blood is thicker than water
Family ties are more important than other bonds.
Love will take us further
Love and unity will help us build a better future.
So don't feel no way
Do not despair.
Cause a so Jah Jah say
God promises a better future for his people.
And no matter what they do
Oppressive forces cannot prevent people from building a better future.
And no matter what they say
Oppressive forces cannot prevent people from speaking out against injustice.
The Natural way Harambe
The Rastafarian way of life emphasizes living close to nature.
The African way Harambe
The Rastafarian way of life emphasizes the need for Africans to embrace their culture and heritage.
Don't feel no way Harambe
Do not despair.
A so Jah Jah say Harambe
God promises a better future for his people.
Member Gong say Harambe
Bob Marley reminds us of the importance of unity and perseverance.
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.