Sizzla, along with reggae recording artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, and Anthony B, are credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music by recording material which is concerned primarily with spirituality, social consciousness, explores common themes, such as Babylon's corrupting influence, the disenfranchisement of ghetto youth, oppression of the black nation and Sizzla's abiding faith in Jah and resistance against perceived agents of oppression. Sizzla has over 40 full completed albums sold in record stores to date, the most popular which have been "Black Woman & Child" and "Da Real Thing" on the Digital B label, "Praise Ye Jah" on Xterminator, and "Rise to the Occasion" on Greensleeves.
Recently, however, he has come under fire for the homophobic content of many of his lyrics, and the advocacy of violence against gays.
Hail Selassie
Sizzla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rise inna the palace
inna Ethiopia you there, you know
Well I say woe onto those
who are wise in there own eyes
and yet they prudent in them own sight
Remember say you got,
Yet things will be alright, oh culture
Living in Rome my people how safe you are
away from your home I say you're oh so far
He has been crowned for fighting so many wars
Black belongs to the throne Melchizedek read the stars
red gold and green honors the earth, fill my heart with joy
You unfold, prince and princess makes your convoy
The land of love filled with righteousness for I and I
keep I safe in your arms Emperor Selassie I
(CHORUS:)
Hail King Selassie, Ethiopia's own devine majesty
Emanuel, holy, holy
Take us home Marcus Garvey
First ancient King of creation,
from the western hemisphere askin for repatriation
cunning words no source of inspiration
causing hurt devising trap on the nation
In there own self will they kill to make it high
I and I, marketin Black people when I saw my rights
Open your eyes, yo
(CHORUS:)
Hail King Selassie, Ethiopia's own devine majesty
Emanuel, holy, holy
Take us home Marcus Garvey
I ah the blood and fire warrior, travellin from in those time
Fi the arc of the covenant ah I ah the carrier,
that never yet lef mi mind
Fruitful bowl Empress ?Marva? she has been so devine
Let them know we must go to mount Zion, and ah full time
Babylon set the captives free, do you tell Emanuel have the key
So long and so many years you inna Babylon and cry wasted tears
(CHORUS:)
Hail King Selassie, Ethiopia's own devine majesty
Emanuel, holy, holy
Take us home Marcus Garvey
Hey living in Rome Black people how safe you are
away from your home I say you're oh so far
He has been crowned for fighting so many wars
Black created the throne Melchizedek read the stars
red gold and green honors the earth, fill my heart with joy
You unfold, prince and princess makes your convoy
The land of love the land for I and I
keep us safe in your arms Emperor Selassie I
(CHORUS:)
Hail King Selassie, Ethiopia's own devine majesty
Emanuel, holy, holy
Take us home Marcus Garvey
First ancient King of creation,
from the western hemisphere askin for repatriation
cunning words no source of inspiration
causing hurt devising trap on the nation
Babylon in your own self will they kill to make it high
I and I...
In Sizzla's song Hail Selassie, the lyrics describe the reverence and admiration for the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, who is also considered a Messiah by the Rastafari movement. The opening lines of the song start with Congo hearing the tune and urging the listener to rise in the palace in Ethiopia, where Haile Selassie I reigned. The chorus repeats the phrase 'Hail Selassie, Ethiopia's own divine majesty' and 'Emmanuel, holy, holy,' which are terms used to acknowledge Haile Selassie I as a divine figure. The song also calls for the aid of Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican political activist and a leading figure of the Pan-Africanism movement, to help return Black people to Ethiopia, their original homeland.
Sizzla also warns against those who are wise in their own eyes and suggests that they may be disguised as wolves in sheep's clothing. He asks listeners to open their eyes to the truth and not be misled by cunning words that cause hurt and devise traps for the nation. The song calls for Babylon to set the captives free and reminds the listener that they have been crying wasted tears in their captivity. Sizzla also references the importance of the colors red, gold, and green, which represent Ethiopia and the Rastafari movement.
The lyrics in Hail Selassie celebrate the roots of the Rastafari movement and their belief in Haile Selassie I as a divine figure who will lead them to freedom. The song also carries a message of hope and unity, urging the listener to recognize their roots and fight against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Congo just hear da tune,
The people of Congo are listening to this song
Rise inna the palace
Rise up in the palace of the King
inna Ethiopia you there, you know
You are in Ethiopia and you know it
Well I say woe onto those
I warn those who
who are wise in there own eyes
think they are wise
and yet they prudent in them own sight
but still see themselves as righteous
Remember say you got,
Remember that you have
wolf there inna sheep clothes
a wolf in sheep's clothing
Yet things will be alright, oh culture
But everything will be alright, oh culture
Living in Rome my people how safe you are
My people, living in Rome, how safe are you?
away from your home I say you're oh so far
You are far away from your home
He has been crowned for fighting so many wars
Emperor Selassie I was crowned for his war victories
Black belongs to the throne Melchizedek read the stars
Black people belong to the throne, as prophesied by Melchizedek
red gold and green honors the earth, fill my heart with joy
The colors of red, gold, and green symbolize the earth and fill me with joy
You unfold, prince and princess makes your convoy
The Prince and Princess are coming as part of the procession
The land of love filled with righteousness for I and I
The land of love is filled with righteousness for us
keep I safe in your arms Emperor Selassie I
Keep me safe in your arms, Emperor Selassie I
Hail King Selassie, Ethiopia's own devine majesty
King Selassie, Ethiopia's divine majesty, we hail you
Emanuel, holy, holy
Emmanuel, holy, holy
Take us home Marcus Garvey
Bring us back to Africa, Marcus Garvey
First ancient King of creation,
The first ancient King of creation
from the western hemisphere askin for repatriation
Asking for repatriation from the Western Hemisphere
cunning words no source of inspiration
Their words are cunning, but not inspirational
causing hurt devising trap on the nation
Causing hurt and devising traps for the nation
In there own self will they kill to make it high
They will kill in their own self-interest to achieve power
I and I, marketin Black people when I saw my rights
I am standing up for Black people and my rights
Open your eyes, yo
Open your eyes
I ah the blood and fire warrior, travellin from in those time
I am a warrior, born of blood and fire, traveling from those times
Fi the arc of the covenant ah I ah the carrier,
I carry the arc of the covenant
that never yet lef mi mind
It has never left my mind
Fruitful bowl Empress ?Marva? she has been so devine
Empress Marva, the fruitful bowl, has been divine
Let them know we must go to mount Zion, and ah full time
We must go to Mount Zion, and it's time to do so
Babylon set the captives free, do you tell Emanuel have the key
Babylon must set the captives free, and you must tell Emanuel to do it
So long and so many years you inna Babylon and cry wasted tears
So many years you have been in Babylon, crying tears that were wasted
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wayne Thompson
Big tune. Legendary!
Abdulkareem Abdullahi
WOE ONTO THOSE WHO ARE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES AND PRUDENT IN THEIR OWN SIGHT
Pauline Gaynor
This son change my life. Just listen the drums
Omerio Mckenzie
I have been waiting for so long.for sizzla kalonji, to start making more songs like these.
Mo Mo
I agree with you entirely
Trivette Dieffenthaller
Always loved this artiste.. but when they start to mix up the musical vibes because of ' paper' , I lose interest..😕. Will always be a fan of the old sizzla.
Haskel45
The slackness swallow him
M.L. Baldwin
best song ever
Art Of Success
INDEED... THIS IS A VERY BIG TUNE! HAUL & PULL IT!!! HAILE SELASSIE I & EMPRESS MENEN BLESS IT & SET IT <3
Jermaine Elliott
If it weren't for songs like these, I would have strayed