Born Fi Rebel
Steel Pulse Lyrics


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The Blood of Marcus
Blood of Malcolm
Goes running through my veins
And Nat Turner's vision

I can see it very plain
Saw William Gordon and Paul Bogle
Hanging from a tree
May their spirits and their souls
Come charging into me

[Chorus]
I was born fe rebel
I was born fe rebel
I was born, oh yes I was born to fight
Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone
Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone

Like Hannibal that crossed the Alps
Went on to conquer Rome
Like David slew Goliath
With a sling shot and a stone

Like crazy Horse and Sitting Bull
The great Geronimo
I'll fight with every tooth and nail
And every brick and stone

[Chorus]

Some a seh me too militant
A which part I man come from
Want protect my people
From who doing I and I wrong

[Chorus]

Fight with all my might
Whether day or night
I've got to do what's right
People take advice

Jomo Kenyatta â?? Born Fe Rebel
Kwame Nkrumah â?? Born Fe Rebel
Thomas Sankara â?? Born Fe Rebel
Machel Samora â?? Born Fe Rebel

Nelson Mandela â?? Born Fe Rebel
Patrice Lumumba â?? Born Fe Rebel
Sellassie I soldier â?? Born Fe Rebel
Castro of Cuba â?? Born Fe Rebel

I was born fe fight
Fight with all my might
Got to do what's right
Whether day or night

Alive, Survive, I strive, Survive

Radical to the bone
Trouble won't leave me alone




Radical to the bone
Armed with sticks and stones

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Born Fi Rebel are a powerful statement about the influences that have shaped the singer's worldview and a call to action for others to join in the fight for justice. The first verse speaks of the blood of Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Nat Turner running through the singer's veins, suggesting a heritage of rebelliousness and resistance to tyranny. The second verse references the historical figures of William Gordon and Paul Bogle, Jamaican freedom fighters who were brutally executed by the British colonial authorities in 1865. The singer calls upon their spirits to enter into him, indicating a desire to continue their struggle against oppression.


The chorus repeats the phrase "I was born fe rebel," emphasizing the singer's innate rebelliousness and his commitment to fighting for justice. The following verses make reference to other historical figures who fought against oppression, including Hannibal, David, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo. The final verses name-check various African leaders who have also fought against colonialism and oppression, including Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, and Patrice Lumumba. The song ends with a strong call to action, urging the listener to fight with all their might, armed with nothing but their radical spirit.


Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the singer's commitment to fighting for justice and the struggle against oppression. It draws upon a range of historical figures and cultural references to create a sense of long-standing resistance to tyranny and a sense of hope for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

The Blood of Marcus
I am descended from the revolutionary spirit of Marcus Garvey


Blood of Malcolm
I am also a product of Malcolm X's radical legacy


Goes running through my veins
These ideals are deeply embedded in me


And Nat Turner's vision
I share Nat Turner's dream of liberation


I can see it very plain
I understand the struggle for freedom and justice clearly


Saw William Gordon and Paul Bogle
I have witnessed the brutality of colonial oppression


Hanging from a tree
The price of resistance in the past was extremely high


May their spirits and their souls
I honor those who have laid down their lives for freedom


Come charging into me
Their courage and spirit inspires me to fight on


I was born fe rebel
I came into existence with a spirit of opposition to injustice


Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone
I am fundamentally committed to revolutionary change and face constant opposition because of it


Like Hannibal that crossed the Alps
Like Hannibal, I am determined to overcome the obstacles in my path


Went on to conquer Rome
I will not be satisfied with anything less than total victory


Like David slew Goliath
I believe that even the weakest can triumph over the strongest oppressor


With a sling shot and a stone
Through simple means, like David, I will fight and win against my oppressors


Like crazy Horse and Sitting Bull
Like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, I will resist oppression with all my might


The great Geronimo
I also find inspiration in the struggle of Geronimo


I'll fight with every tooth and nail
I will fight with everything I've got


And every brick and stone
Even the smallest and quietest resistance can bring about change


Some a seh me too militant
Some say that I am too radical in my beliefs


A which part I man come from
Some want to know where I come from to understand why I fight so hard


Want protect my people
I fight for my community against those who would harm it


From who doing I and I wrong
I resist those who treat me and my people unjustly


Jomo Kenyatta - Born Fe Rebel
Jomo Kenyatta was also born to rebel against colonial oppression


Kwame Nkrumah - Born Fe Rebel
Kwame Nkrumah also emerged with a spirit of opposition to slavery and colonialism


Thomas Sankara - Born Fe Rebel
Thomas Sankara was driven to oppose both capitalist imperialism and African governments that suppressed the people


Machel Samora - Born Fe Rebel
Machel Samora was born in a colonized Mozambique and had a vision to liberate it


Nelson Mandela - Born Fe Rebel
Nelson Mandela emerged as a leader of anti-apartheid movement and became an inspiration to those who fight for freedom


Patrice Lumumba - Born Fe Rebel
Patrice Lumumba fought against the Congolese government in the 1960s to assert the country's sovereignty and national interests


Sellassie I soldier - Born Fe Rebel
Haile Selassie I's struggle against colonialism led to the birth of Rastafarianism and served as inspiration for rebels


Castro of Cuba - Born Fe Rebel
Fidel Castro fought against the US-backed regime in Cuba and sought to create a fairer and just country


Fight with all my might
I will bring every ounce of energy and resolve to the fight for freedom


Whether day or night
I will fight for justice without rest, regardless of circumstances


I've got to do what's right
I am compelled to do what is right and just, no matter the personal cost


People take advice
People should listen to and take notes from those who fight for justice


Alive, Survive, I strive, Survive
I am dedicated to surviving and persevering through the struggle, as long as it takes


Armed with sticks and stones
I will fight for freedom with whatever tools I have at my disposal




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jagroop Bajwa

Give thanks fi the rebel them weh inspire the ranks yah
Fidem home the stars above an riverbanks, yah
Ask we an we gi unu rebel answer
Yo, we a no cancer, but we live we angry lyrics, a no blanks yah
Malcolm X, him no jest, Marcus Garvey, a no prankster
Give the Most High reverence, yah
Hail, that's died for a cause, yah
Honour dem, no trod pon I people, be off yah
Rebel fi a cause, yah



All comments from YouTube:

Yuri VS

A lot of people come here from playing THUG2 back in early 2000's.
This just show we all had a great kickstart into music.
I always say how much the Tony Hawk's soundtrack gave the first steps into music for me. Like a older brother, or that cool older cousin that recommended you some great songs.
I still keep my CD of Tony Hawks Pro Skater (the first one) near my vinyl altar. it all started from there, when i was 10 years old and listening to Goldfinger - Superman while doing some slides in the abandoned warehouse level.

Bruno Nardy

That's the good stuff right there

Marcos Paulo Soares de Castro

Verdade!

Jogador Velho

GTA Vice City also had some amazing tracks

MasterMind Play

Some much nostalgia

rogerthat155

+Yuri Vidal yeah man. and as i get older, them lyrics from Superman start making some damn sense lol

jrn

THUG2 had some of the most memorable tunes ever.

Matthew Withers

i might not know much about reggae, but i do know it's some of the best music

Brave Hero Greenleaf

jah bless

Christian de Kool

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is also the game that introduced me to Steel Pulse and  to reggae in general. I love reggae ever since.

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