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.
Thanks & Praise
Sizzla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strive with those that striveth,
fight against those that fight against I
Emperor Selassi I,
the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
uhLive and love your life always,
children give Jah thanks and praise
Most high he give us length of days
So live and love your life always
come let us give thanks and praise
Most high he give us length of days
Zion and the earth all living things
and human beings he made
Bombs and guns that all they aim at us
We're Ethiopian Africans we're strangers no
So Zion kinda system it so dangerous
Honor your mother and your father
say ah blessed love
And do remember Jah has made you faithful
so show more love and don't be hateful
Neglect the most high you'd be so ungrateful eh
and that would be disgracefulLive and love your life always,
come let us give thanks and praise
Most high give us length of days
the silver and gold shall fade
So live and love your life always
children give Jah thanks and praise
Rastafari give us length of days
the silver and gold shall fade
So much people pocket full and running over
yet they wouldn't share they rather
hold in nah bringin ah lil something when coming over
little children even ghetto youths must show love
spend out the riches fit up the village
bun out the hate and grudge
chant Rastafari ah chant
Emperor Selassie I is the Conquering Lion
Love and righteousness we wantLive and love your life always,
children give Jah thanks and praise
Ohh ooo length of days
Most high we praise King Selassie I
live and love your life always
come let us give thanks and praise
Most high give us length of days
the vanities shall fade whoa yea
Love life that's the reality
clean and pure that's the quality
Emperor Selassie I he stand for
equal righteousness and moralityLive and love your life always,
come let us give thanks and praise
He give us length of days
Oh riches shall fade
So live and love your life always
Sizzla Kalongi keep the fire it ah blaze
Rastafari come to liberate the slave
Conquering Lion never fail
Yo, you live on the street, every night and day
You idle and you lurks in the coner when you touch out
Kook wrong corner you go... ow
Mama gone inna purse you go pluck out
Gone wit your father fridge, phone
and then you just cut out
Why is it you won't stop from doing those wrongsLive and love your life always,
children give Jah thanks and praise
He give length of days
Whoa yea yea
In Sizzla's song "Thanks & Praise," the Jamaican reggae artist urges listeners to live their lives with gratitude for what they have been given. The song is a call to appreciate life and all its blessings, as well as a reminder of the importance of fighting against oppression and injustice. Sizzla makes references to Emperor Selassi I, whom Rastafarians believe to be a messiah figure, and to the need to honor one's parents and love one another.
There is also a sense of social commentary in the song, as Sizzla laments the existence of bombs and guns that aim to harm Ethiopian Africans, and calls for the sharing of wealth and the elimination of hate and grudges. At its core, "Thanks & Praise" is a message of hope and positivity, encouraging us to focus on what really matters in life and to live it to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I say pead my cause
I speak out about my beliefs and values
Strive with those that striveth
I work hard alongside others who share my goals
fight against those that fight against I
I resist and confront those who oppose me and my community
Emperor Selassi I, the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
I recognize Emperor Selassi I as a powerful and respected leader who protects my community and faith
uhLive and love your life always,
I encourage myself and others to cherish and enjoy life
children give Jah thanks and praise
I teach young people to be grateful for their blessings and express their devotion to God
Most high he give us length of days
I acknowledge God's gift of a long and fulfilling life
silver and gold shall fade
I understand that material possessions are temporary and unimportant
So live and love your life always
I reiterate the importance of enjoying and appreciating life
come let us give thanks and praise
I invite others to celebrate and express gratitude for their blessings
Zion and the earth all living things and human beings he made
I recognize God as the creator of all life and the natural world
Bombs and guns that all they aim at us
I acknowledge the violent threats faced by my community
We're Ethiopian Africans we're strangers no
I assert the identity and belonging of my people
So Zion kinda system it so dangerous
I criticize the oppressive and unjust social system in which I live
Honor your mother and your father
I emphasize the importance of showing respect and gratitude to parents and elders
say ah blessed love
I express a positive and loving attitude
And do remember Jah has made you faithful
I remind others of God's guidance and support
so show more love and don't be hateful
I encourage people to be kind and avoid negativity
Neglect the most high you'd be so ungrateful eh
I warn against forgetting God and the blessings received from him
and that would be disgraceful
I express disappointment and disapproval of such behavior
So much people pocket full and running over
I observe the wealth disparity in society
yet they wouldn't share they rather hold in nah bringin ah lil something when coming over
I criticize the greed and selfishness of those who have plenty but do not share with others
little children even ghetto youths must show love
I believe in teaching young people to love and be kind to others
spend out the riches fit up the village
I suggest using wealth to improve the community
bun out the hate and grudge
I advocate for the elimination of animosity and resentment
chant Rastafari ah chant Emperor Selassie I is the Conquering Lion
I express my devotion to Rastafari and Emperor Selassie I as a symbol of strength and victory
Love and righteousness we want
I express a desire for love and justice in society
Love life that's the reality
I prioritize love and happiness in life
clean and pure that's the quality
I value honesty and goodness as important qualities
Emperor Selassie I he stand for equal righteousness and morality
I see Emperor Selassie I as an advocate for fairness and ethical behavior
Sizzla Kalongi keep the fire it ah blaze
I assert my own commitment to maintaining the passion and intensity of my beliefs
Rastafari come to liberate the slave
I see Rastafari as a movement to free those who are oppressed
Conquering Lion never fail
I express my confidence and belief in the lasting strength and success of my community
Yo, you live on the street, every night and day
I address people who are homeless and without a permanent home
You idle and you lurks in the coner when you touch out
I observe a lack of purpose or direction in the behavior of some people
Kook wrong corner you go... ow
I suggest that people may make poor choices or go down the wrong path
Mama gone inna purse you go pluck out
I criticize theft or taking things from others without permission
Gone wit your father fridge, phone and then you just cut out
I condemn stealing or taking advantage of family or loved ones
Why is it you won't stop from doing those wrongs
I question why people continue to engage in immoral or harmful behavior
Whoa yea yea
I express emotion or emphasize a point
Writer(s): Miguel Collins, Christopher Birch
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@claudefrancis9128
That's a wonderful song sizzla is the bomb
@osman-ft8eq
Respect to the man called sizzla!
@edrmain
As long as it's vanity it's going to fade. Give Thanks to the Creator!! His blessings will always last.
@nathanvinson7639
"Hale to the conquering lion most high Jah you're the only one we can rely on"
@schoolboymark1881
Babylon has fallen my BRETHREN!!🇬🇭🇸🇳
@blazingfire6640
one love to everyone love is what he is teaching
@kristasanford3572
What a treasure you are. you will always be sizzleeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr to me.
@sonealilawrence629
JAH rastafari run things 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️💨😊
@RealisticChique
Above all things, life is greater! It is better to Love, than to hate.
@BigTunes
Classic banger 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥