Roots Archives Forum

Since the trend this week is song lyrics, I have this one pretty much figured out but need some help with the more difficult parts. If you don't already have this one, you owe it to yourself. Corrections are welcome.

Bend down, oh Jah,
To the very foundation rock.

I said the Lord Jah,
Thou art thy subjegation.

The Lord Jah descends of my salvation,
Wars overshadow my head,
In the days of battle.

[chorus]
White belly rat,
You are wrong you know.
Judas, Judas.
White belly rat,
Jah, as a demon.
Judas, Judas.

Give I not a poacher(?),
For my desire to be wicked.

They have plotted against I,
Let not ----(?),
Lest they shall trample.
Head up them from pass I about,
The lave of the elite shall overwhelm them,
And burning coals shall fall upon them,
They will cast them down into the fire, real easy.
They shall not be able to stand.

A man full of ----(?) shall not be established in the earth,
He shall catch a judgement of destruction.

I know that the Lord Jah,
Will do justice to the needy,
And he will avenge the poor.

[chorus]
White belly rat,
You are wrong you know,
You bite and you bloat.
White belly rat,
You are wrong you know,
Worse than a crow(?)

But as for the Just,
They shall be thrown into thy name,
The upright shall dwell within thy kingdom,
Have friends(?) with me oh Jah,
Hear I and always heed I voice,

[chorus]
White belly rat,
You are wrong you know,
You bite and you bloat.
White belly rat,
You are wrong you know,
Worse than a crow.

Let not by I be directed,
As incense in thy sight,
Liftin up man,
As an evening sacrifice.

Get a watch oh Jah!
----(?)

Let go around about my legs.
Let thine not mine heart to evil works,
Make it ---(?)

Let man that work iniquity,
Have not permit into the choicest of them.

Judgement shall direct I in his mercy,
And shall improve I.
But let not the head of the sinner,
Plot thy head, oh Jah.
(Do you hear?)
For man fire a burn shall still get...

Interesting. I didn't know Jah Lion was citing Psalm 140 & 141. Thanks.

Slight edits to the above:

Blast dem down oh Jah!
(To the very foundation rock).

I says to the Lord Jah,
Thou art my subjugation.
Oh Lord you are the essence of my salvation,
Wars shall overshadow my head in the days of battle.

[chorus]
White belly rat,
You are wrong y’know.
Judas, Judas.
White belly rat,
Jah, as a demon.
Judas, Judas.

If I not oppose Jah,
For my desire to be wicked.
They have plotted against I,
You not go forsake I,
Lest they shall trample.
Head up them from pass I about,
The lave of the elite shall overwhelm them,
And burning coals shall fall upon them,
They will cast them down into the fire, real easy.
They shall not be able to stand.
A man full of drunk shall not be established in the Earth,
He shall cast the unjust man unto destruction.
I know that the Lord Jah,
Will do justice to the needy,
And he will avenge the poor.
[chorus]

But as for the Just,
They shall be thrown into thy name,
The upright shall dwell within thy kingdom,
I have friends with me oh Jah,
Hear I and always heed I voice,
[chorus]

Let thy fire be directed,
As incense in thy sight,
Liftin’ up man,
As an evening sacrifice.
Better watch oh Jah!
Come out my mouth,
and go around my legs.
Lend thy not mine heart to evil works,
Make it a simple thing.
Let man that work iniquity,
Have not permit unto the choices up there.
Judgement shall direct I in his mercy,
And shall reprove I.
But let not the oil of the sinner,
Put on thy head, oh Jah.
(Do you hear)
For my fire heart go shall steal thee against thee…

by the way... TUNE! Peace

here are more edits to the above:

Blast dem down oh Jah!
To the very foundation here of

I said to the Lord Jah,
Thou art my supplication
Oh Lord Jah, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast overshadowed my head in the days of battle.

[chorus]
White belly rat,
You are wrong y’know.
Judas, Judas.
White belly rat,
Jah, also demand ??? (def. not 'as a Demon')
Judas, Judas.

Gie I not support Jah,
For my desire to be wicked.
They have plotted against I,
Do not go forsake I,
Lest they shall trample.
the head of them that compass I about,
The labour of their lips shall overwhelm them,
And burning coals shall fall upon them,
and will cast them down into the fire, real easy.
They shall not be able to stand.
A man full of drunk shall not be established in the Earth,
He shall cast the unjust man unto destruction.
I know that the Lord Jah,
Will do justice to the needy,
And he will revenge the poor.
[chorus]

But as for the judges,
They shall be thrown in thy name,
The upright shall dwell within thy kingdom,
I have prayed unto thee oh Jah,
Hear I, and alweays hear I voice,
[chorus]

Let my prayers be directed,
As incense in thy sight,
Lifting up my hands,
as an evening sacrifice.
set a watch, oh Jah,
for my mouth,
and go round about my lips.
incline not my heart to evil works,
Make it a simple thing.
Let man that work iniquity,
and not committed unto the choices up there.
Judgement shall correct I in his mercy,
And shall reprove I.
But let not the oil of the sinner,
Put on thy head, oh Jah.
(Do you hear)
For my prayer also shall still be against thee

The line which u think says "Jah as a demon" he actually saying "Jah a the redeemer" or "Jah is I redeemer".