Roots Archives Forum

Just interested to hear your thoughts on this one.

The expressions, used so much in reggae and Rastafarianism:

Last Train to Zion

Cross River Jordan

Going home to Ethiopia

I tend to understand this in a spiritual sense. Meaning "Going home to the Father" Like the Christian journey to Heaven via redemption. Rather than as a physical journey back to a geographical place (Africa).

Of course, I understand that it is the desire of many people who have their roots in Africa to actually physically return to Africa.

But I feel that the message contained in such lyrics and phrases is MORE about returning to a spiritual place, ie: Zion, Across the River Jordan. The House of God.

What do you think? How do you interpret this?

Hi Leggo Rocker

Definitely a spiritual journey (or rather it started that way!).

Check out the absolutely awesome "The Train" by Ted Beard from "Sacred Steel Live" - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sacred-Steel-Li ... 712&sr=1-1

(Recorded live in a "House of God Church"!!!). Pedal steel guitar as you have never heard it. Unreal.

Ted even talks you through the journey!! All aboard y'all!!

Taken from a religious scholarly website:

The Jordan first appears in the Hebrew Bible in Gen. 13:10 when Lot moved into the plain of the Jordan. Moses was not allowed to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land (Deut. 3:23-29, 31:2) but Joshua crossed over with the Israelites and took the Promised Land (Josh. 3:1-17, 10:40). The Jordan River continues to be a symbol in the Christian faith of crossing over to the Promised Land after death.

A lot of biblical symbolism concerning the children of Israel is associated with the Jordan River.

Dennis brown made the journey to ethiopia in the early 80's and apparently spent 6 months there.at the time he was relatively wealthy where as with the majority of rasta's it could only ever be a spiritual journey.due to the economic depression jamaica experienced after gaining independence.