Jah Nuh Dead
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics


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They tried to fool the black population
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

Overall Meaning

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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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...

1 More Replies...

@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

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