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
That's The Way
Rita Marley Lyrics
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Jah Jah planned it yeah
And that's the way
Jah Jah planned it now
'Cause that's the way Jah Jah planned it yeah
And that's the way Jah Jah planned it now
My life was met with changes
Jah guiding hand on me
And showed me what I had
He led me into music
'Cause that is what he planned
I will use my voice to serve him
I'm a daughter of Zion.
And that's the way
Jah Jah planned it yeah
That's the way
Jah Jah planned it now
That's the way Jah Jah planned it yeah
And that's the way Jah Jah planned it now
Jah Jah made the land and waters
He made the moon and stars
Man thinks he can make it better
But now he's gone a bit too far
Your building automatic weapons
And razing building stone
But Jah Jah is the Master
And he knows when they'll fall
They must fall yeah
Hey hey hey
And that's the way
Jah Jah planned it yeah
That's the way
Jah Jah planned it now
'Cause that's the way Jah Jah planned it yeah
And that's the way Jah Jah planned it now
Jah Jah give I sweet inspiration
That's why I can go through this duration
He's my life He's my health
He's my every every everything everything I need
That's the way that's the way, that's the way that's the way
That's the way that's the way, that's the way that's the way
That's the way that's the way, that's the way that's the way
That's the way that's the way, that's the way that's the way
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
That's the way, that's the way
The only way, that's the way
That's the way, that's the way
In "That's the Way," Rita Marley is expressing gratitude to Jah for leading her to music and helping her through life's changes. She acknowledges that life can be difficult, but Jah's guiding hand has shown her what she has and given her sweet inspiration to keep going. Marley recognizes that Jah created the land, waters, moon, and stars and that humans may think they can improve upon his creations, but they have gone too far by building automatic weapons and destroying buildings. She asserts that Jah is the Master and will determine when everything will fall. Ultimately, the chorus repeats that everything is the way that Jah planned it, emphasizing the importance of trusting in his plan.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the way
Life is predetermined
Jah Jah planned it yeah
God has a plan for everyone
And that's the way
There is no other way
Jah Jah planned it now
It has been planned this way for a reason
'Cause that's the way Jah Jah planned it yeah
Everything happens for a reason
My life was met with changes
Life has its ups and downs
About the things going very bad
Sometimes bad things happen
Jah guiding hand on me
God is always watching over you
And showed me what I had
God helps you appreciate the good things in life
He led me into music
God guides people towards their passions
'Cause that is what he planned
God has a purpose for everyone
I will use my voice to serve him
God-given talents should be used for good
I'm a daughter of Zion.
I belong to the community of believers
Jah Jah made the land and waters
God created the world and everything in it
He made the moon and stars
God's creation is vast and beautiful
Man thinks he can make it better
Humanity strives for progress
But now he's gone a bit too far
Sometimes human progress comes at a cost
Your building automatic weapons
Technological advancements can be used for violence
And razing building stone
Human development can displace nature and culture
But Jah Jah is the Master
God is in control of everything
And he knows when they'll fall
God knows when destruction will come
They must fall yeah
Everything has a cycle of life and death
Jah Jah give I sweet inspiration
God provides the creative spark
That's why I can go through this duration
Creativity sustains the soul
He's my life He's my health
God is the source of life and healing
He's my every every everything everything I need
God is the all-encompassing provider
Jah Jah planned it Jah Jah planned it
God's plan is the ultimate plan
The only way, that's the way
There is only one way to live life
That's the way, that's the way
Life should be lived according to God's plan
Writer(s): Rita Marley, Astley Cooper
Contributed by Katherine S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.