chant
Yellowman Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bob Marley
Miscellaneous
Rastaman Chant
Hear the words of the Rastaman say:
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon, you throne gone down."

Said I hear the words of the Iyaman say:
"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon, you throne gone down."
---
/Short instrumental break/
---
And I hear the angel with the seven seals say:
"Babylon throne gone down, gone down;
Babylon throne gone down."
---
/Short instrumental break/
---
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home);
I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home).
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
---
/Short instrumental break/
---
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.
One bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.





Say one bright morning when my work is over,
Man will fly away home.

Overall Meaning

The song "Rastaman Chant" by Bob Marley is a spiritual and political song that was released in 1978. The chorus of the song, "Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down," is a direct reference to the oppressive political system that was in place in Jamaica during that time. The term "Babylon" is often used in Rastafarianism as a symbol of the oppressive system that they wish to overthrow. The verses of the song talk about hearing the words of the Rastaman and the angel with the seven seals, both of whom proclaim the fall of Babylon. The song ends with a hopeful message of flying away home to Zion, indicating a desire to escape this oppressive system and be free.


Line by Line Meaning

Hear the words of the Rastaman say:
Listen to what the Rastaman is saying


"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down; Babylon, you throne gone down."
Babylon, the oppressive system, has fallen


Said I hear the words of the Iyaman say:
I heard the words of the wise man say


"Babylon, you throne gone down, gone down; Babylon, you throne gone down."
Babylon, the oppressive system, has fallen


And I hear the angel with the seven seals say:
I hear the divine messenger say


"Babylon throne gone down, gone down; Babylon throne gone down."
Babylon, the oppressive system, has fallen


I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home);
I say let's go back to our spiritual and cultural homeland


I say fly away home to Zion (fly away home).
I say let's go back to our spiritual and cultural homeland


One bright morning when my work is over,
One day when my work for justice and freedom is done


Man will fly away home.
We will return to Zion, our spiritual and cultural homeland


One bright morning when my work is over,
One day when my work for justice and freedom is done


Man will fly away home.
We will return to Zion, our spiritual and cultural homeland


Say one bright morning when my work is over,
One day when my work for justice and freedom is done


Man will fly away home.
We will return to Zion, our spiritual and cultural homeland




Writer(s): Foster Winston

Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

Fathead walk (walked) a mile and a half in a you (your) gungu walk ...

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

Me no want! Me no want! Where Fathead ya man left!

Incorrect: Me no want! Me no want! Where Fathead ya man left! / Correcto: Me no want! Me no want! Where Fathead nyam and left!

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

To buy feed and also nappy

Incorrect: To buy feed and also nappy / Correct: To buy feed'n also nappy

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

And one a them a soldier ina Hope Park camp.

Incorrect: And one a them a soldier ina Hope Park camp. / Correct: And one a them a soldier inna Up Park Camp.

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

She burned-out the chicken and? the rice!

incorrect: She burned-out the chicken and? the rice! / correct: She burned up the chicken and go curry the rice

saszwo


on Getting Divorce

To look a for mi yellow baby

incorrect: To look a for mi yellow baby / correct: To look after mi yellow baby

Saszwo


on Galong Galong Galong

Mistake: The whole a deejay ... Correct: The only deejay ...

Rodney Janie


on Zungguzungguguzungguzeng

Thank you King Yellowman

Harvey J Eger


on Body Move

"Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" is the lead track on Yellowman's album of the same name. Check it out and like it if you do.

More Versions