Jah Nuh Dead
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
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By telling them that jah jah dead
And they tried to fool the black population
By telling them that jah jah dead..
I & I knows jah - jah no dead - jah no dead
Jah no dead [5x]
Oooh nooo - jah no dead
My knowledge increase
My memory reflect
Marcus garvey did say
A rumour rumour rumour rumour rumour
Aah marcus say
A rumour rumour rumour rumour rumour
Aah marcus say - jah no dead
Jah no dead
It was I-man who say
Green and gold, it's the rainbow
The lion the lion decrowned the king
The lion the lion decrowned the king
Inna in adis abeba - aaafrica
Jah no dead - jah no dead no dead - jah no dead
Meet me at the bank of the beautiful river
When your journey has end
I & I will discuss about this matter
Jah no dead, jah no dead, jah no dead
In "Jah Nuh Dead," Sinéad O'Connor speaks to the historical oppression of the black population, especially through the lens of Rastafari spirituality. The song's title is a patois expression that means "Jah (God) is not dead." O'Connor sings that attempts were made to mislead the black population into believing that Jah is not alive. She refutes this claim by insisting that she knows through her faith that Jah is still present in the world.
O'Connor also references the teachings of the Jamaican Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey, who argued that black people should rely on themselves and work towards global unity. Garvey's philosophy, which has influenced Rastafari beliefs, teaches self-reliance and the idea that the black population will be emancipated through their own efforts. O'Connor points out that Garvey also believed that rumors about Jah's death were unfounded, echoing her own assertion that Jah is alive and present.
There are mentions of the lion, a symbol of both Rastafari and Ethiopia (the home base of Rastafari religion). O'Connor also incorporates imagery of the "bank of the beautiful river," a place where she and her brethren can gather to discuss their beliefs and confirm that Jah is still alive.
Line by Line Meaning
They tried to fool the black population
The black population was deceived
By telling them that jah jah dead
By telling them that God is dead
And they tried to fool the black population
The black population was further deceived
By telling them that jah jah dead..
By repeating the false statement that God is dead
I & I knows jah - jah no dead - jah no dead
We know that God is not dead
My knowledge increase
My knowledge is expanding
My memory reflect
I remember
Marcus garvey did say
Marcus Garvey said
A rumour rumour rumour rumour rumour
A false rumor
Aah marcus say
Marcos said
A rumour rumour rumour rumour rumour
A false rumor
Aah marcus say - jah no dead
Marcos said that God is not dead
Jah no dead
God is not dead
It was I-man who say
I said
Green and gold, it's the rainbow
Green and gold represents the rainbow
The lion the lion decrowned the king
The lion dethroned the king
Inna in adis abeba - aaafrica
In Adis Abeba, Africa
Jah no dead - jah no dead no dead - jah no dead
God is not dead, God is alive
Meet me at the bank of the beautiful river
Meet me at the beautiful riverbank
When your journey has end
When your journey has come to an end
I & I will discuss about this matter
We will talk about this
Jah no dead, jah no dead, jah no dead
God is not dead, God is not dead, God is alive
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WINSTON GODFROY RODNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@musicbox7867
For Mobile Users :
00:00 Jah Nuh Dead
03:12 Marcus Garvey
06:43 Door Peep
10:05 He Prayed
13:30 Y Mas Gan
17:17 Curly Locks
21:37 Vampire
25:38 Prophet Has Arise
30:02 Downpressor Man
35:10 Throw Down Your Arms
39:20 Untold Stories
42:59 War
@musicbox7867
For Mobile Users :
00:00 Jah Nuh Dead
03:12 Marcus Garvey
06:43 Door Peep
10:05 He Prayed
13:30 Y Mas Gan
17:17 Curly Locks
21:37 Vampire
25:38 Prophet Has Arise
30:02 Downpressor Man
35:10 Throw Down Your Arms
39:20 Untold Stories
42:59 War
@hasseelmerson
Thanks to all your music through the years......
@CasimirLeYeti
THX a million !
@michelleobrien6996
I sometimes skip Curly locks and play Downpressor Man x 5
@LambuJi1
Thanks for sharing this with track listing. Beautiful album. Would it be possible to credit the original artists in the track listing please? I recognise some tracks by Burning Spear, a Bob Marley number, but I don’t know all. In any case, it would be really useful and respectful to the original artists too. Pretty sure Sinéad would’ve approved. ✌️❣️
@LuisEstenssoro
Not judging the lyrics, but the best track of this album is "Vampire". Sinead knows how to do her job as a singer. No doubt about it. Precious album. ❤ Gone too soon...
@ijmcnaught
Not on spotify either and from 2005 received barely enough attention, incredible album possibly my favorite
@carlheese
Not on Apple music or YouTube Music until only now here in YouTube I was able to find this.
@113KILL5
Definitely my favorite Sinead release. Been trying to find this on vinyl for 10 years
@philippebrikh2533
Eric satie