Roots Archives Forum

Ites Brethrens,
Can someone please explain the meaning of the lyrics in the excellent Sons of Jah track named "Anthem", from the "Reggae Hit Showcase" album? Are they referencing some historical battle that took place in Ethiopia? Is it all metaphorical? Any insight would be greatly appreciated...

Roots,
Jah Chicken

Anybody know this track?

Roots,
Jah Chicken

When H.I.M fight against mussolini 1935-1937!?

Lion

Hmmm.. Very interesting Lion. Many Thanks!! I'll look into this one.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

it sounds to me like they talking more of love and unity than anything else, it's refering more to the metaphorical fight against babylon and about keeping strong
+unified in hard times rather than talking about the italian invasion, but they might make reference to this. Thats my interpretation of it anyway. The theme+message sounds very similiar to most rastas songs i think of.

Thanks bwoyrough.. this seems like it could be the case as well. Maybe if I try to listen again and post the actual lyrics, that would probably be a big help.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

yeh good idea, i had trouble making out all the words...

As far as i'm aware it is the Ethiopian national anthem - ina roots style.

Interesting idea Roosta! I found an english translation of th Ethipian national anthem that goes like this:

March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia

Respect for citizenship is strong in our Ethiopia;
National pride is seen, shining from one side to another.
For peace, for justice, for the freedom of peoples,
In equality and in love we stand united.
Firm of foundation, we do not dismiss humanness;
We are peoples who live through work.
Wonderful is the stage of tradition, mistress of proud heritage,
Mother of natural virtue, mother of a valorous people.
We shall protect you - we have a duty;
Our Ethiopia, live! And let us be proud of you!

http://www.kbears.com/ethiopia/anthemtext.html

I thought that maybe it could have been transposed to a rasta tounge on this track, but I don't think that is the case. I'll try to listen again today and post some lyrics. Many thanks for the input!!

Roots,
Jah Chicken

Greetings,

I listened to the track again today and wrote down what I thought could be the lyrics. I'm sure the I'm not 100% correct, so if anyone can help correct these lyrics or fill in the [..] areas with the correct lyrics, I'd greatly appreciate it. Here are a take at the lyrics:

*Ethiopia the land of our fathers...*
*The land, where the gods, love to be...*

*Storm clouds masses gathers...*
*Our armies come rushing to meet...*

*With the red gold and green over us...*
*And the emporer to shield us from wrong...*

*With the god and the future before us...*
*We hail and we shout this song...*

*Call our niggers...*
*And keep ethiopia free..*

*To advance with truth and right...*
*Through advance with love and light...*

*Righteouness [..] haste to the call...*
*Humanity pleads one god for us all...*

*Ethiopia [..] has fallen...*
*who smote these upon thy knees...*

*Thy future master is calling...*
*From over the distant seas...*

*Jahovia jah has heard us...*
*He has heard our sighs and our tears...*

*The spirit of one has told us...*
*To be one through the coming years...*

*Oh jahovia thou gaurd of this age...*
*Grant unto our souls that live...*

*Thy wisdom thou gave to the ages...*
*When isreal was sure in need...*

*Thy voice through the [..] hath spoken...*
*Ethiopia nah [..]*

*By then shall all barriers be broken...*
*And Zion bless, our dear mother land...*

I'm beginning to think it's all metaphorical. But when he references "Armies come rushing to meet" and "when Isreal was sure in need", it makes me wonder if he is referencing any historic event. I'm not much a historian.. outside of reggae vinyl .

I can't stress enough... that this is an absolutely KILLER TRACK!! I'd currently put it in my top 10 Roots tracks of all time! When the players come together in the extended section after the vocal have ended... wow. (tu)(tu)(tu)

Roots,
Jahoviah Chicken III