Tony Rebel's career began in the 1980's, and was often seen performing with Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system. Rebel is responsible for introducing a young Garnett Silk (then known as Bimbo or Little Bimbo) to the sound. The two were closely linked until Silk's untimely death in 1994.
Tony Rebel's career was at its peak in the early 1990's, with such hit records as "Fresh Vegetable", "Sweet Jamaica" and the duet with Garnett Silk "Christian Soldiers". He remained prominent in the late 90's with the smash hit "If Jah" on the La La Bella riddim.
Tony Rebel still performs occasionally, but has focused most of his energy into the career of protege Queen Ifrica and his immensely popular, annual reggae festival in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica entitled Rebel Salute.
Nazerite Vow
Tony Rebel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon bridge is failing down
Burning, burning burning till it touch the ground
Babylon bridge is failing down
I and I come to utter some conscious sound
Babylon bridge is failing down
Don't be afraid grow your dreads till it touch all the ground
Chorus:
Say we no bow we no gow ras then and ras now
Long time me tek fi me nazarine vow
The first time me know say rastarfari legit
Is when me tek a little prip in a number chapter six
Me read Revelation and I was astonished
Fi know the mark of the beast that is six, six, six
Me check Samson and John the Baptist
Them grow them natty dread, mek it long like wiffs
Who, me start fi grow fi me dread some more
When me read Ezekiel forty-four
Chorus
So me people a spread propaganda 'bout long hair is a sin
But me challenge anyone but me know them can't win
'Cause any day them show me inna the Bible say man fe trim
Me give them scissors and comb
and mek them cut off everything
Chorus
You know one thing me used to hate when me a teenager
I man used to live with me grandfather
Every weekend him come him give me one hundred dollar
And cah tell me 'bout me must go to the barber
But when me see the scissors and me see the razor
Me always think the man going to commit murder
Why me never stop until me get me heart desire
See de now me grow me dread as a real rasta
Chorus
Me mek nuff guy fret nuff heathen mouth shut
'Cause them can't understand rastarfari yet
Nuff a them no stop check pon the vibes weh we ah get
But a true dem no know is a inbom concept
Have some long hair guy whe no stop live a lie
But you can't use them fat de 'bout you a go fry
'Cause higher example fe the most high
I and I is a true bom rastarfari
Chorus
If you sight the fullness and you want grow your locks
No listen chat no bother watch nothing fi try mek you stop
You dread ah you antenna and a you contract
So from you sign that de agreement you can't turn back
so
Chorus
One time dem used to gwaan like say I and I a mad man
True we talk different and eat different and grow we hair long
Nowadays out a ten at least three man dem a dread dem
head top and pon the back them have a sprong
Chorus
The lyrics to Tony Rebel's "Nazarite Vow" speak to the idea of resistance against Babylon, a term for the oppressive forces in society that seek to control and dominate. The failing Babylon bridge represents the collapse of the system, as I and I (a Rastafarian term for oneself and Jah) come to declare their conscious sound. The chorus emphasizes the refusal to bow or give in, and the commitment to the Nazarite vow, a biblical concept involving not cutting one's hair.
Tony Rebel speaks to his own journey towards embracing Rastafarianism and adopting the Nazarite vow. He cites his reading of biblical texts like Revelation and Ezekiel as helping him to see the truth and legitimacy of Rastafarianism. He also challenges those who argue that long hair is a sin, pointing out that there is no biblical basis for this claim.
The song also addresses the misconceptions and prejudices that Rastafarians face, with Tony Rebel asserting that those who do not understand the movement cannot use it as a basis for criticism. The final lines of the song encourage anyone who desires to grow their locks to do so without fear, as it is a symbol of their agreement to the Nazarite vow.
Line by Line Meaning
Babylon bridge is failing down
Symbols of oppressive systems are being destroyed by the fire of rebellion and revolution.
Burning, burning burning till it touch the ground
The energy of the revolution is so intense that it burns everything that comes into its path down to the ground.
I and I come to utter some conscious sound
We are here to speak our minds and articulate our thoughts in order to awaken people's consciousness.
Don't be afraid grow your dreads till it touch all the ground
We must not be afraid to express our true selves, including growing our dreadlocks as a way of connecting with our culture and heritage.
Remember all your antenna dem seen, have mercy
Let your antenna be your guide, they will lead you in the right direction. Show compassion towards others.
Chorus: Say we no bow we no gow ras then and ras now
We refuse to bow, we remain Rasta then and now.
Long time me tek fi me nazarine vow
I made a vow a long time ago to be a Nazarite, to grow my hair as a symbol of my faith, and follow the ways of Rastafarianism.
The first time me know say rastarfari legit
I was convinced that Rastafarianism was authentic when I read about it in the Bible.
Is when me tek a little prip in a number chapter six
I first became aware of Rastafarianism when I read about the Nazarites in Numbers chapter six.
Me read Revelation and I was astonished
When I read about the mark of the beast and other teachings in the book of Revelation, I was amazed.
Fi know the mark of the beast that is six, six, six
I learned that the mark of the beast is 666, which symbolizes evil and oppression.
Me check Samson and John the Baptist
I examined the stories of Samson and John the Baptist, who were also Nazarites and known for their strength and wisdom.
Them grow them natty dread, mek it long like wiffs
They also grew their hair into dreadlocks, which signified their commitment to their faith and cultural heritage.
Who, me start fi grow fi me dread some more
As a result of my readings, I decided to grow my hair into dreadlocks.
When me read Ezekiel forty-four
I also examined the teachings in Ezekiel chapter 44, which emphasized the importance of spiritual purity and respect for worship.
So me people a spread propaganda 'bout long hair is a sin
Many people spread false information about how long hair is a sin.
But me challenge anyone but me know them can't win
I challenge anyone to prove that growing one's hair long is sinful, but I know they cannot.
Me give them scissors and comb
I give them the tools to alter their appearance, but I will not be swayed from my cultural heritage and the teachings of Rastafarianism.
and mek them cut off everything
I let them do what they please, but I will not be swayed from my vow to be a Nazarite.
You know one thing me used to hate when me a teenager
When I was a teenager, I used to hate it when my grandfather would give me money but insist that I grow my hair long.
I man used to live with me grandfather
I lived with my grandfather who was also a Rastafarian.
Every weekend him come him give me one hundred dollar
Every weekend, my grandfather would give me money.
And cah tell me 'bout me must go to the barber
But he wouldn't let me cut my hair, insisting that I grow it long.
But when me see the scissors and me see the razor
I used to be afraid of the tools used to cut hair, fearing they would take away my cultural identity.
Me always think the man going to commit murder
I thought the barber was going to kill me in some ways by making me conform to society's norms.
Why me never stop until me get me heart desire
I didn't give up on growing my hair long, despite the pressure to do otherwise, until I reached my heart's desire.
See de now me grow me dread as a real rasta
I now wear my dreadlocks proudly, as a symbol of my cultural heritage and my commitment to Rastafarianism.
Me mek nuff guy fret nuff heathen mouth shut
I get criticized by others who don't understand Rastafarianism, but I don't pay attention to their negativity.
'Cause them can't understand rastarfari yet
They are unable to comprehend the depth and richness of Rastafarianism.
Nuff a them no stop check pon the vibes weh we ah get
Many of them disregard our beliefs and teachings.
But a true dem no know is a inbom concept
But what they don't realize is that Rastafarianism is a concept rooted in our inherent nature and cultural heritage.
Have some long hair guy whe no stop live a lie
Some people grow their hair long without fully committing to Rastafarianism or its teachings.
But you can't use them fat de 'bout you a go fry
But their actions or lack of actions won't determine my fate or my commitment to my faith.
Cause higher example fe the most high
The most high is my example and guide, whose teachings I follow and share with others.
I and I is a true bom rastarfari
I am a true and committed Rastafarian.
If you sight the fullness and you want grow your locks
If you desire to embrace your cultural heritage and Rastafarianism, and grow your hair into dreadlocks.
No listen chat no bother watch nothing fi try mek you stop
Don't listen to any negativity or propaganda aimed at halting your growth and development.
You dread ah you antenna and a you contract
Your dreadlocks are your antenna and a symbol of your spiritual contract and commitment to Rastafarianism.
So from you sign that de agreement you can't turn back so
Once you commit to Rastafarianism and growing your hair long, you cannot turn back.
One time dem used to gwaan like say I and I a mad man
There was a time when people thought Rastafarians were crazy and didn't understand their culture and beliefs.
True we talk different and eat different and grow we hair long
Our unique cultural practices, such as our language, food, and hair, set us apart from others.
Nowadays out a ten at least three man dem a dread dem
Nowadays, at least three out of every ten men have chosen to grow their hair long and embrace Rastafarianism.
head top and pon the back them have a sprong
Men now keep their dreadlocks both on the top of their head and on the back, often in a distinct style.
Chorus
Refers to the chorus that repeats throughout the song, asserting the Rastafarian's commitment to their beliefs and cultural heritage.
Contributed by Caleb G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Energy Sound Family
Babylon bridge is failing down.
Burning, burning, burning till it touch the ground.
Babylon bridge is failing down.
I and I come to utter some conscious sound.
Babylon bridge is failing down.
Don't be afraid grow your dreads till it touch all the ground.
Remember all your antenna dem seen, have mercy.
Say we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
The first time me know say Rastarfari legit,
Is when me tek a little prip in a number chapter six.
Me read Revelation and I was astonished,
Fi know the mark of the beast that is six, six, six.
Me check Samson and John the Baptist,
Them grow them natty dread, mek it long like wiffs.
Who, me start fi grow fi me dread some more,
When me read Ezekiel forty-four.
So we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
Some people a spread propaganda 'bout long hair is a sin,
But me challenge anyone but me know them can't win.
'Cause any day them show me inna the Bible say man fe trim,
Me give them scissors and comb and mek them cut off everything.
Cah we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
A we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
You know one thing me used to hate when me a teenager,
I man used to live with me grandfather.
Every weekend him come him give me one hundred dollar,
And cah tell me 'bout me must go to the barber.
But when me see the scissors and me see the razor,
Me always think the man going to commit murder.
Why me never stop until me get me heart desire,
See de now me grow me dread as a real Rasta.
So we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
Me mek nuff guy fret, nuff heathen mouth shut,
'Cause them can't understand Rastarfai yet.
Nuff a them no stop check, 'pon the vibes weh we ah get,
But a true dem no know is a born concept.
Have some long hair guy, whe no stop live a lie,
But you can't use them fat de, 'bout you a go fry.
'Cause higher example fe the Most High,
I and I is a true born Rastarfari.
So we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
If you sight the fullness and you want grow your locks,
No listen chat no bother watch nothing fi try mek you stop.
You dread ah you antenna and a you contract,
So from you sign that de agreement you can't turn back.
So we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
One time dem used to gwaan like say I and I a mad man,
True we talk different and eat different and grow we hair long.
Nowadays out a ten at least three man dem a dread dem,
Head top and 'pon the back them have a sprong.
So we no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
We no bow, we no gow ras, then and ras now,
Long time me tek fi me Nazarene vow.
TRUEFUNKSOULDIER
23 years and still standing firm in my vow..
Tatten
I was searching, "Nazarite Vow" and this video came up! It's hard to find detail information on it to figure out what I can and cannot eat. I just started the vow about 3 months ago & think I accidentally broke it :-( I ate some canned food & noticed later that it contained vinegar. Is ALL vinegar forbidden? I used to use apple cider vinegar on a lot of my food daily, but stopped that because it goes through a fermentation process & could make alcohol. I miss it, but give it up for Yah no question. I'm trying to find out from the company what type of vinegar was used in their food, no reply yet. Also, I found some animals that were killed by other animals in my yard. I gloved up and buried them, so I don't know if that was OK or if that violated the, "dead body" requirement. I see mixed info - that it is only human bodies and others say human or animal. Other than what is in the scriptures do you have suggestions for more info. on walking t his walk? Thanks
skateMNvx1000
"dont be afraid grow ur dread till it touch on the ground" has it hit the ground yet?????
Gerald Neil
TRUEFUNKSOULDIER
FG LaFlare
Me too 14 yrs for me
Vanessa Walker
My favourite song of all time. I remember I use to watch this on JBC about 7:00 every evening as a little girl. I was about 10 or younger. I'm 30 now... Still my favourite song.
Zion Reaction TV
Same here I grew up on Tony Rebel, Garnet Silk and Dennis Brown
Dayoung1s5933
Now, mine also!
empresserica
Yes!!!!!!!!! Same way!
Andre3000fan 123456
I wish they had this on Spotify. This played at the end of a Rebel Salute DVD I watched as a kid and I never forgot it♥️