Road To Zion by Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley – Lyrics Meaning: Unveiling the Path of Resistance and Reflection
Lyrics
Jah will be waiting there, We a shout!
Jah will be waiting there
In this world of calamity
Dirty looks and grudges and jealousy
And police weh abuse dem authority
Media clowns weh nuh know ’bout variety
Boom!
The youngest veteran a go murder dem slow
Ragga muffin sent to call me from the bush bungalow
Unnu watch mek I clear out my voice now Figaro!
Emerge from the darkness with mi big blunt a glow
Mi hammer dem a slam and spectator get low
Some bwoy coulda big like Bam Bam Biggalow
Bust of trigger finger, trigger hand and trigger toe
A two gun mi have mi bust dem inna stereo
Cause
I got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
We gots to keeps it burning on the road to Zion, man
[Chorus 1]
Clean and pure meditation without a doubt
Don’t mek dem take you like who dem took out
Jah will be waiting there we a shout
Jah will be waiting there!
In this world of calamity
Dirty looks and grudges and jealousy
And police weh abuse dem authority
Media clowns weh nuh know bout variety
Single parents weh need some charity
Youths weh need some love and prosperity
Instead of broken dreams and tragedy
By any plan and any means and strategy
I got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
We gots to keeps it burning on the road to Zion, man
Say!
We got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
(Yeah, yeah)
You know (They know)
We got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
(Yeah you gotta keep walking y’all
You gotta keep)
Sometimes I can’t help but feel helpless
I’m havin daymares in daytime
Wide awake try to relate
This can’t be happenin like I’m in a dream while I’m walkin
Cause what I’m seein is haunting
Human beings like ghost and zombies
President Mugabe holding guns to innocent bodies
In Zimbabwe
They make John Pope seem Godly
Sacrilegious and blasphemous
In my lifetime I look back at paths I’ve walked
Where savages fought and pastors taught
Prostitutes stomp in high heel boots
And badges screaming,”Young black children stop or I will shoot!”
I look back at cooked crack
Plus cars that pass by
Jaguars mad fly
And I’m guilty for materialism
Blacks is still up in the prison Trust that
So save me your sorries, I’m raising an army
Revolutionary warfare with Damian Marley
We sparkin’ the ions, marching to Zion
You know how Nas be NYC state of mind I’m in
In this world of calamity
Dirty looks and grudges and jealousy
And police weh abuse dem authority
Media clowns weh nuh know ’bout variety
Boom!
I got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
We gots to keeps it burning on the road to Zion, man
Clean and pure meditation without a doubt
Don’t mek dem take you like who dem took out
Jah will be waiting there we a shout
Jah will be waiting there!
Clean and pure meditation without a doubt
Don’t mek dem take you like who dem took out
Jah will be waiting there we a shout
Jah will be waiting there!
In this world of calamity
Dirty looks and grudges and jealousy
And police weh abuse dem authority
Media clowns weh nuh know bout variety
Single parents weh need some charity
Youths weh need some love and prosperity
Instead of broken dreams and tragedy
By any plan and any means and strategy
Instead of broken dreams and tragedy
Youths weh need some love and prosperity
Instead of broken dreams and tragedy
By any plan and any means and any strategy
Ay! say
I got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
You know
We got to keep on walking on the road to Zion, man
Infused with potent lyrical prowess and the pulsating rhythms of reggae, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley’s ‘Road to Zion’ is a stirring anthem of resilience, reflection, and revolution. The track not only weaves a tapestry of social commentary but also serves as a beacon, guiding listeners through the tumultuous landscape of modern society toward a metaphysical space of peace and purpose.
‘Road to Zion’ delves deep into the systemic issues afflicting both the individual spirit and the collective conscience. Defying the constraints of the material world, Marley forges a spiritual journey charged with hope, awareness, and a relentless determination to reach Zion – a symbol synonymous with utopia in Rastafarian belief – with each carefully crafted verse.
The Spiritual Pilgrimage: Decoding the Road to Zion
Zion represents more than a mere geographic location; it is the epitome of a spiritual quest, a higher state of consciousness where suffering and oppression cease to exist. Damian Marley’s invocation of walking this road is akin to a call to arms for the enlightened, those who navigate against the stream of societal woes towards enlightenment and redemption.
Embedded within the rhythm and Marley’s authoritative tone lies a profound message encouraging individuals to maintain their path, regardless of life’s adversities. The repetition of the commitment to ‘keep on walking on the road to Zion’ serves as an irresistible admonition: that progress is an ongoing effort, demanding perseverance and belief.
Confronting Calamity: A Vivid Portrait of Global Struggles
Marley does not shy away from painting a stark picture of the world – ‘calamity,’ ‘dirty looks and grudges and jealousy,’ and ‘police weh abuse dem authority.’ He challenges listeners to peer into the societal mirror, to acknowledge the systemic injustices that cast long shadows over our reality.
The imagery is powerful and unapologetically raw. The song’s narrative maps out the battlegrounds – from the psychological to the physical – compelling the audience to confront not just the external manifestations of corruption and inequality, but also their own place within this tumultuous landscape.
The Clarion Call to Preserve Inner Sanctity
In the face of pervasive chaos, ‘Road to Zion’ serves as a mantra for safeguarding one’s inner peace – ‘clean and pure meditation without a doubt.’ Damien Marley understands that the journey to Zion is fraught with hazards and that the mind can be an individual’s greatest ally or worst enemy.
The chorus is a reminder to remain steadfast, to resist being claimed by the same malevolence that has ‘took out’ others before. It’s an affirmation of faith – faith in oneself, in a higher power (‘Jah will be waiting there’), and the power of righteous thought and action.
Unlocking the Hidden Meaning: Beyond the Metaphor of Zion
Zion transcends its biblical roots to embody the collective aspirations for a better world, a harmonious existence free from the shackles of oppression. Marley’s lyrics are a coded language articulating the inherent human yearning for freedom and the pursuit of a life of dignity and respect.
The hidden message is one of empowerment and accountability; it prompts individuals to take control of their destiny, to be the change they wish to see, and to lead by example as they ‘keep on walking on the road to Zion.’ It isn’t just a journey, it’s an evolutionary process.
Memorable Lines and their Resonance in Today’s World
‘Sometimes I can’t help but feel helpless / I’m havin daymares in daytime.’ These poignant words echo the collective disillusionment of a society riddled with injustice. They encapsulate the feeling of being awake in a nightmare, an allegory for the clear and present dangers of our waking hours.
Damian Marley and guest artist Nas address contemporary issues including political corruption, violence, and systematic racism, while also grappling with personal accountability in a materialistic society. The song stands as a reminder that even amidst strife, individuals have the agency to awaken, resist, and rebuild.
