This post showcases the song "I Stand Strong" by Jamaican Reggae singer/composer Burning Spear.
This song is showcased for its historical, folkloric, aesthetic, and inspirational values.
VIDEO
Burning spear I stand strong
keddist3, Published on Nov 21, 2013
-snip-
Update: January 17, 2019- This sound file replaces one that is no longer available.
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LYRICS
I STAND STRONG
(Burning Spear)
I Stand Strong
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I didn't do no wrong
I didn't do no wrong
I didn't do no wrong
I didn't do no wrong
His Majesty big Marcus Garvey
His Majesty big Martin Luther King
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I am the master of my fate
I am the capton of my soul
I am the master of my fate
I am the capton of my soul
His Majesty big Marcus Garvey
His Majesty big Martin Luther King
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I will watch my footsteps
I will watch them in a Babylon
I will watch my footsteps
I will watch them in a Babylon
Watch your back in a Babylon
Watch your back
Check your move in a Babylon
Check your move
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
I stand strong in a Babylon
Online source http://www.lyricstime.com/burning-spear-i-stand-strong-lyrics.html
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INFORMATION
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Spear
Winston Rodney, OD* (born 1 March 1945), also known as Burning Spear, is a Jamaican roots reggae singer and musician. Burning Spear is known for his Rastafari movement messages...
Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica, as were reggae singer Bob Marley and political activist Marcus Garvey who both had a great influence on Rodney's life: Garvey in his philosophy, which Burning Spear greatly took to, and Marley in directly helping Burning Spear get started in the music industry (by some accounts) by introducing him to Clement Dodd.
*"OD" "The Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act in 1968.
The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service
"Order of Distinction"
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Distinction
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From http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/dbardfield.html
The popular use of the word"Babylon" can be definitively traced to Marcus Garvey's teachings, which liken the Afro-Caribs in the West to the Jews Exile into Babylon. The institution of slavery created tremendous suffering for those that were enslavedin both of these cases. Many people in Jamaica are still suffering, due to the successor of slavery, which is racism and poverty. The Bible contains many stories of slavery that describe the hardship that was endured in ancient times, as well as the eventual emancipation from the hardship. Rastas have found much applicable meaning from within the Bible, and it is only natural that they identify with the Jews in Babylon, who faced much of the same obstacles that they themselves face. By labeling the source of their own oppression as "Babylon", the Rastas shed more light on the fact that oppression is in fact taking place. This definitive name gives the oppression that they face a center, or a heart, which can be targeted easier. Instead of saying "Injustice must fall", "Poverty must be alleviated", or" Jamaican legislation must represent its people", a Rasta need only say "Babylon must fall". When this centralized, encompassing word is used, it provides the Rasta with a target to be passionately against, and increases his sense of unity with his people.
The word Babylon is by no means an arbritary word that is used to describe oppression. Babylon was one of the first cities to ever stand on Earth. It is quite clear that there is much to be learned about this mythical city that will help us to better understand the modern"Babylon system". I believe that the modern definition of Babylon describes a type of mentality that is common to all the institutions that are labeled as being "Babylon". However, the essence of what this midframe is can be most closely encountered through the study of the real Babylon as it grew, prospered and fell thousands of years ago.
*This excerpt is re-posted with corrected typographical errors
RELATED LINK
http://www.burningspear.net/home
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http://www.amazon.com/World-Should-Know-Burning-Spear/dp/B00000042O
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My thanks to composer,vocalist, activist Burning Spears. My thanks also to the musicians featured in this video, and to this video's uploader.
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