Ziggy learned Rastafari faith from his parents and had access to some of the world's best reggae musicians in the comp band of his father – the legendary reggae Wailers. Ziggy Marley first sat in on recording sessions with Bob Marley and the Wailers when he was around 10 years old. Joining with his three siblings to become The Melody Makers, Ziggy crafted his own soulful sound blending blues, RnB, hip-hop and roots reggae.
After their first two albums, Play The Game Right (1985) and Hey World! (1986), The Melody Makers earned their first Grammy (Best Reggae Recording) for Conscious Party (1988), an album produced by Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth which included the hit songs "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down."
Subsequent albums included the Grammy-winning One Bright Day (1989), Jamekya (1991), Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want 2 B (1995), their third Grammy winner Fallen is Babylon (1997), Spirit of Music (1999) and Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol 1 (2000), which featured some of their biggest hits as well as a cover of Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved."
While selling records by the millions and selling out countless concerts with the Melody Makers, including a recent European tour, Ziggy Marley has never lost sight of his foundation of faith, fellowship and family.
After two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, Ziggy stepped out on his own with his first solo album, Dragonfly (2003). Never content to rehash the success of his past, Ziggy uses Dragonfly to explore new ground and create his own distinctive musical identity as a solo artist.
"Working on my own gave me a chance to take my time and experiment a lot," Ziggy says of the material on Dragonfly." It took one year to finish this record. It's the longest I've ever worked on a album. It's different when you on your own. At some point it's scary and then at another it's a drive that makes you focus more."
Although the members of the most close-knit musical families often yearn to step out on their own, for Ziggy, a solo debut was not a long-awaited goal. "It's not something that I wished for since I began doing music," he says. "It was just the circumstances, and I wanted to be true to myself and what I feel. The record has strong messages and it feels good."
In addition to being Ziggy's first album of solo material, for Dragonfly he felt it was time for a change of scene. "Usually we record in Kingston. These songs were written in Jamaica and recorded in America. I did the first set of recordings in a house in Miami and then went to L.A. rented a house, set up my equipment and basically did the rest there. I left Jamaica for a while, because as an artist I need to experience different things, to see the world and have different energies. Living in one place is not good for me and I was tired of making music in a studio setting. I wanted it to be more like everyday life a part of me.
"As an individual, I've opened up more by traveling outside Jamaica, and I've been more able to be open to people and ideas. It helps me to grow as a person to be outside of my element; to be on my own in a strange place meeting people. That's good for me not to be in my secure domain."
The evidence of that growth is everywhere on Dragonfly.
On July 2nd, 2006, Ziggy released his second album, Love is My Religion. He states "This album is from my heart," and he feels that he embraces his spiritual and emotional side of life. This album show Ziggy coming into his own as an artist, as he wrote all of the songs for the album and played nearly all of the instruments.
Love is My Religion is a testament to Ziggy Marley's talent as he follows in the footsteps of his father, the Legend.
Amen
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who will profit without shame, those who profit from human pain
Now let peace be your profit, and let love be your saint
To keep the monsters' belly filled, many of my people are killed
There is a thirst that must be quenched, for the hearts of the broken
Verily i say amen amen, verily i say amen, amen
How much is that black soul, how deep is that black hole
Don't let money be your master, freedom for the modern slave
I'm giving out the thorn with the rose, oh let all the people bemoan
It feels like the end of the days, oh my god the devil will pay
Verily i say i'm building bridges, amen, amen
Verily i say let noah build the ark, amen, amen
Verily i say bring the people together, amen, amen
Verily i say thats what i'm living for, amen, amen
By the still waters we lay, in the green grass we play
It cost to keep this world afraid, a price that we just cant pay
To keep the monsters from the gates
We gonna pull together
For the suffering to be saved
Hey we gonna to pull together!
Verily i say time is now, amen, amen
Verily i say it has begun, amen, amen
Verily say and here i come
Verily i say l'm the first born son, amen, amen
Ziggy Marley's song Amen speaks to the exploitation and suffering experienced by so many in our world. The lyrics call out those who profit from human pain and challenge listeners to find alternative pathways. The song emphasizes the need for peace, love, and unity to prevail, especially in the face of those who seek to divide and conquer through fear and violence.
The verses of the song highlight the contrast between those who profit from suffering and those who strive for a more hopeful future. The lyrics lament the thirst that must be quenched for the hearts of the broken and urge listeners to reject money as a master, seeking freedom for all. The imagery of thorns and roses is used to convey the complex realities of the world, but ultimately, the song calls for a coming together of humanity to face the challenges we collectively confront.
One of the key strengths of Ziggy Marley's Amen is its incorporation of religious language and imagery to convey a message that is ultimately a call for social justice. The repetition of the refrain "Verily I say amen, amen" creates a sense of urgency and points towards a resolution. It's a powerful song that expresses a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Verily i say amen amen, verily i say amen, amen
I speak the truth, truly I say amen, let it be so
Who will profit without shame, those who profit from human pain
People who exploit others' suffering for their own gain have no shame
Now let peace be your profit, and let love be your saint
Make peace and love your life's goal and guiding principle
To keep the monsters' belly filled, many of my people are killed
People are being sacrificed to satisfy the insatiable greed of the wealthy and powerful
There is a thirst that must be quenched, for the hearts of the broken
The pain and suffering of the oppressed and downtrodden must be alleviated
How much is that black soul, how deep is that black hole
The cost of oppression and exploitation is immeasurable and soul-destroying
Don't let money be your master, freedom for the modern slave
Do not let the pursuit of wealth and power enslave you or others
I'm giving out the thorn with the rose, oh let all the people bemoan
Life is bittersweet, and it's important to acknowledge and lament the difficulties and injustices we face
It feels like the end of the days, oh my god the devil will pay
The world feels chaotic and oppressive, but justice will ultimately prevail
Verily i say i'm building bridges, amen, amen
I am working to create connections and understanding between people of different backgrounds and perspectives
Verily i say let noah build the ark, amen, amen
We need to prepare for future challenges and work together to ensure our survival
Verily i say bring the people together, amen, amen
Uniting people is essential for overcoming our shared struggles and creating a better world
Verily i say thats what i'm living for, amen, amen
This is my life's purpose and calling
By the still waters we lay, in the green grass we play
We should take time to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature
It cost to keep this world afraid, a price that we just cant pay
The fear and suspicion that divide and harm us come at a great cost, and are ultimately unsustainable
To keep the monsters from the gates
We need to address the systems and individuals that perpetuate oppression and inequality
We gonna pull together
We need to work together and support one another to create change
For the suffering to be saved
We must prioritize the needs of those who are most vulnerable and marginalized
Verily i say time is now, amen, amen
The present moment is crucial and demands action
Verily i say it has begun, amen, amen
The movement for justice and equality is already underway
Verily say and here i come
I am committed to joining and leading this movement
Verily i say l'm the first born son, amen, amen
I am inspired by my lineage and legacy of activism and change-making
Writer(s): DAVID MARLEY
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yanksdrammeh1
Verily I say love is what im living for. Verily I say I'm the first born son. Amen. Great lyrics Ziggy Marley
@therootoflife5290
Awakening lyrics from Ziggy Marley! Blessing Brother Ziggy ! Amen!
* Ras Jengo from Tanzania*
@dubmastachina7082
Is that all you can say?
@patrickndungu5014
+Pokemon Ranger
Black is power..good work ziggy.. Black or white we have same red blood, we are the same.
@patrickndungu5014
I can't argue with u..
@lingkenfiliteku3950
Listening to Ziggy marley I have realized the Spiritual connection in it.
@b4nd
MAN!!! These background vocals having a melody perfectly matching your end phrases.. This album has so many great little things in it that remind me how much small touches change things up. And singing about things that allow the soul to speak. I can hear it in these songs vs others.
@StoneKapolo
This jam is so beautiful.. my soul is happy
@nelsonmeier1269
I believe this is one of the songs I heard while working at the 6/23/17 Edgefield concert. The band is amazing!
@lonewolf0076
Amen 😍 love this song from my soul