The Traffic Jam
Stephen Marley Lyrics

Cho! Stabba dom! (Yeah!)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm

Stabba labba dom (Hear dat)
Acknowledging and emphasizing a statement

Stooby labba labba dom ram labba babba labba labba dom, I say (Watch mi lion!)
Asserting one's identity and commanding attention

[Chorus]
Introduction to the chorus section

Pom, rom pa ba dom ba dom ba ba dom
Rhythmic and energetic vocalization

Babba dom ba dabba dom ba dom ba ba dom
Additional rhythmic vocalization

This is raggamuffin from di ghetto yutes camp
Identifying oneself as a raggamuffin from the ghetto youth camp

Anyway mi go mi seh mi must leff mi stamp
Expressing the determination to leave a mark wherever one goes

Marijuana weh mi smoke dem seh too ignorant
Acknowledging criticisms of smoking marijuana as ignorant

Just some odda day some puff a whole mek fi one
Recalling a recent experience of smoking a lot of marijuana

Then mi bredda Juju and mi idren name Don
Introducing the singer's brother Juju and his friend Don

Bounce and listen to Gong when mashin' up di traffic jam
Enjoying and vibing to Bob Marley's music while causing a traffic jam

Police pull mi ova talkin bout him smell bud
Describing a police officer pulling the singer over due to the smell of marijuana

From mi look inna him face and know this bwoy have a plan
Perceiving the police officer's ulterior motives

Juju touch mi pon my shoulda seh di bwoy a demon
Juju warns the singer that the officer is malicious

First ting him waan to know is where dat smell is comin' from
The officer's initial question is about the source of the marijuana smell

Are you smokin' marijuana and I said yes I am
Admitting to smoking marijuana when questioned

True him seh some man trance seh it cost a couple grand
Explaining that some people consider smoking marijuana an expensive habit

Him seh mek mi see di license and registration
Requesting the singer's driver's license and registration

And where are yuh headed what's yuh occupation
Inquiring about the artist's destination and occupation

Dun know seh raggamuffin nah go answer question
Asserting that a raggamuffin won't answer such questions

As is says on the paper read di information
Referring to the information on the documents

From mi nah go tek nuh switch or interrogation
Refusing to cooperate with interrogation or coercion

So book mi if yuh book mi carry dung a station
Accepting the consequences of being booked and taken to the police station

Mek mi show dem how we did it inna style and pattern
Displaying one's authenticity and unique way of doing things

I'm di judge, di lawyer Juve I'm my own bails man
Taking on multiple roles as the singer in his own legal proceedings

And if yuh check it out dat would be my station
Asserting control and authority over the situation

Mi seh sekkle Juju royal for yah run England
Calling on Juju Royal to handle affairs in England

And when mi plane land yuh nah go through nuh customs
Expecting to bypass customs upon arrival

This is raggamuffin inna different pattern
Highlighting a unique and non-conforming approach

Mi nuh go inna nuh session unless it conk and ram
Refusing to engage in a music session that lacks energy and excitement

And from yuh see we face and wanna ask a question
Anticipating being approached with questions based on one's appearance

And anywhere we go we haffi ra pa pom, pom
Creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere wherever one goes

Well if a ganja dem a look fah dem know where to find us
Indicating that those searching for marijuana know where to find it

Well we a nuh criminal seh rasta ever righteous
Asserting that Rastafarians are not criminals but righteous

Some bwoy a scope out di ride a we drive and puff
Some individuals are envious of the artist's car and marijuana smoking

And him jealous a we seh shine and buff
The person being envious is jealous of the singer's success and appearance

Well from him look inna di car and how di interior plush
The person becomes even more jealous upon seeing the luxurious interior of the car

And look upon di rims how dem full out and flush
Noticing the impressive rims on the car

And scope out we jewels him a wonda how much
Observing the artist's jewelry and wondering about its value

And him jealous well then prize caan touch (Why)
Expressing that the jealous person cannot compare or compete

Then mi seh royal have a new tune fi rise and buss
Referring to a new song by Royal that will become popular

And there extra large size muffin dem a light up
Referring to the singer's friends smoking large and potent marijuana joints

A bwoy dig dung di car until him find some stuff
Describing someone searching through the car until they find something

And him jealous a we so rank and nuff (Lawd)
Expressing the intensity and prevalence of the person's jealousy

Him exact cau a few stripes deh pon him shoulda
Pointing out that the jealous person lacks the same level of experience or success

Cau him too par wid we we deh when Demus show love
Highlighting the singer's camaraderie with others who support them

Give dem couple C.D. some promo photos
Providing promotional materials to supporters

Now him jealous cau everybody knows us
Expressing that the person is jealous because the singer is well-known

Yo some feel di wey yuh pass and dem a smile and blush
Noting that some people admire and have positive reactions to the singer

And true dem see some man a star dem could a have a light crush
Acknowledging that some people develop crushes on celebrities

Now him jealous now even twice as much (Hear dat)
Stating that the person's jealousy has intensified

Now di bwoy jealous now even twice as much (Lawd)
Reiterating the increased level of jealousy in the person

It's just a minor set backa who yuh waan call up
Viewing any setbacks as insignificant and not worrying about others' opinions

Every month then di super get a ting fold up
Describing a regular occurrence of success despite occasional setbacks

Seh natty dreadlocks nah wear handcuffs
Asserting that a Rastafarian does not conform to societal norms or restrictions

Seh any kind a cuff it haffi diamond cuff
Emphasizing the preference for luxurious and extravagant accessories

Go tell dem natty dreadlocks no wear handcuff
Asserting one's freedom and refusal to be bound

Seh easy papa muffin yuh ruffa than ruff
Complimenting the singer's tough and rugged demeanor

And sekkle Juju Royal yuh tuffa than tuff
Recognizing Juju Royal's toughness and resilience

And tell dem seh natty dreadlocks nah wear handcuffs
Reiterating the refusal to be confined or controlled

Always stick togetha even when time tuff
Highlighting the importance of unity and loyalty in difficult times

Bwoy yuh brighta tink a shine and puff, sekkle!
Advising someone to prioritize personal growth and development

How do you plea?
Asking about the person's plea in a legal context

Not Guilty!
Asserting innocence

Your honor!
Addressing the judge with respect

I think you
Expressing one's thoughts or opinions

And your entire organization is corrupt and filthy
Accusing the entire organization of being dishonest and immoral

Herb must be burn! Lawd!
Advocating for the legalization and acceptance of marijuana

Dem seh yuh a di herbsman, and mi a di farmer
Acknowledging one's role as the provider of herbs and marijuana

And anywey mi go marijuana deh pon di corner
Asserting that marijuana is readily available wherever one goes

Jah know, I seh di good sensimelia
Acknowledging the quality and goodness of sensimelia (high-quality marijuana)

Then rastaman yuh must glow
Believing that Rastafarians radiate positivity and spirituality

Hey seh yuh a di herbsman, and mi a di farmer
Reiterating one's role as the provider of herbs and marijuana

And anywey mi go ganja must deh pon di corner
Emphasizing the ubiquity of ganja (marijuana) in different places

Jah know, a just di good sensimelia
Acknowledging the superiority of sensimelia (high-quality marijuana)

Then rastaman yuh must glow
Highlighting the positive aura of Rastafarians

Yo it's a spiritual lift and we nuh tink bout traffic
Describing the uplifting and spiritual experience of smoking marijuana

Di scent a mi herbs Babylon tek sip
Babylon (the oppressive system) trying to suppress the scent of the singer's herbs

To kill every herb seed dat is there wish
Outlining Babylon's desire to eradicate the production of herbs

Mek a violation all because a one spliff
Highlighting the unjust treatment due to the mere act of smoking a spliff (marijuana joint)

Di AC mek mi high when a sweat start drip
Feeling high and euphoric when the air conditioning kicks in and the sweat starts to drip

Cough mi nuh illy cau mi know mi nuh sick
Explaining that the coughing is not a symptom of illness

Outlaw chemist who use two chalice
Describing oneself as an unconventional chemist who uses two chalices (smoking devices)

Spliff inna mi hand mi have mi ting pon mi hip
Holding a spliff in one hand and a gun on the hip, ready to protect oneself

Move dem mek di rudebwoy flash it and dash it
Warning others to make way for the fearless and bold person

Mek nuh mistake it a automatic
Emphasizing that one's actions and reactions are automatic and instinctive

Fools they crush and mi seh eediat panic
Condescendingly referring to those who panic as fools and idiots

Spliff deh inna mi hand man a move like bionic
Maintaining composure and moving with confidence while holding a spliff

Go deh Buju Banton wid a musical gift
Comparing oneself to Buju Banton, a famous musician, in terms of talent

Ragga muffin pass di chalice and dash mi and spliff and just
Passing the chalice (smoking device) in the ragga muffin style and taking another puff