http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvVles_EqXU&mode=related&search=

extracts from

THROUGH THE FAR EYE

FIRST PUBLISHED 1996

POETRY AND PROSE

                                                                                                                                    By

ALBERT WILLIAMS

                                                                                                                                   FOR

          TEMPIE

             THE CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

DREAD RASTAFARI & ETHIOPIA

• I-nergy

• WE SPEAK OF A WORLD

• ALL OVER HIS BODY

• MAN OF CREATION

• DON’T WORRY

• LONESOME FEELING

• TOMORROW’S CHILD

• WHERE HAS LOVE GONE

• A LUTTA CONTINUA

• LET JAH ARISE

• BABYLON SYSTEM

• BOB’S PROPHESY

• PORTALS

• RELEASE I A WARRIOR

• CHILD OF LIGHT

• LET AFRICA UNITE

• THE HAILE SELLASSIE I CHANT

• TRUTH

• WAITING

• WINDS OF CHANGE

• OH BABYLON

• ONLY RASTAFARI

• NATTY NELSON

• WINDS OF CHANGE

• NATTY NELSON

• LITTLE BROWN EYES

• AWAKE MY DEAR BELOVED

• LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

• MY NATIVE LAND

• AWAKE MY DEAR BELOVED

• LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

• MY NATIVE LAND

• JAH LOVE JAMAICA

• FLOWERS FOR MY TEACHER

• I LIVE

• THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

• ROOTSY FEELING

• FLIRTATIOUS LADY

• MY POET’S LIFE

• DREAD I TEMPLATION

• RIVER THOUGHTS

• RED WOMAN

• HONOURABLE NATTY DREAD

• ODE TO KABINDA

• I TIME IS UP

• ABOUT ALBERT WILLIAMS

INTRODUCTION

BY TEMPIE

Author of Feelings

ISBN# 1-4241-0706-7

What Albert Williams has set out to accomplish through his "gentle spirit", are thought- provoking poems that the eye can readily see. I should qualify that statement further and say, the ‘eye and eye’ will only see them, if one chooses and looks, Through The Far Eye.

In over forty poems, and one essay, the author quietly, but brightly, brings to light the darkened reality of Rastafari’s reasoning: African advancement and awareness. His work speaks gently, but his words roar "loud as a lion" speaking of a social trend that many frown upon. An ethos that spawned from the American Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s, to the soul-searching and controversial dread society in Dominica in the 70’s: an off shoot of the flourishing Rastafarian Movement started in Jamaica in 1930.

Of the 70’s in Dominica, Albert’s thoughts echo in each poem. And through his unique brand of writing, reflects on the struggles for self-acceptance in Dominica, the Caribbean and Africa in the closing decades of the 20th century

Williams brings Rastafari to life in his poems. His contribution does justice on a smaller scale to what his mentor Bob Marley did musically, impacting on an international audience. To the dismay of all, Rastafari is increasingly being accepted. What once was identified only in the form of wearing dread locks has now been interwoven into something much deeper, building on the philosophy and opinions expounded by black Jamaican leader Marcus Garvey.

Reading Williams’ poems such as, "Child of Light," " Oh Babylon," " Let Africa Unite," "Release I A Warrior," "Ode to Kabinda" and even " Only Rastafari" carry so many universal messages: messages simply about "identity." Identifying with the past, the present and the future of black blood. Black blood that will always hold true to Religion, Integrity and Pride.

Williams’ third anthology of Poems, "Through The Far Eye" holds these truths to be "self-evident", whether his dreadlocks

are seen by the eye or not; they are always there.

I enjoyed reading all of his poems. I encourage all to read them as an aid to their cultural enlightenment of a movement that is making giant strides.

Dread Rastafari & Ethiopia: An overview of the Rastafari Movement in Dominica by Albert Williams. (First published in the New Chronicle October/November, 1991)

Undoubtedly, the most controversial social trend to evolve on the Dominica social landscape was the ever increasing, fascination of the way of life of the Rastafari movement among young people and it’s continued thrust towards acceptance by wider society.

Rastafari has proven by his steady contribution to mainstream entertainment, and the success of RASTAFARIANS in fields, ranging from law to agriculture, to sports to politics, that there is a deep and abiding philosophy to the movement, and that RASTAFARIANS and Rastafari are indigenous to the Caribbean.

The first RASTAFARIANS to appear in Dominica was somewhere around 1972-73 when a generation of young persons sought to express their African heritage. There are differing accounts as to who was responsible for introducing the Dead philosophy to this country. Some on-lookers hold the view that graduates coming home from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica were foremost among those who introduced the doctrine of Rastafari. Today, the Rastafari Movement is making giant strides. The 1970's were a period of intense soul-searching and reasoning for the brothers and sisters who had already been exposed to the fundamentals of black struggle as expounded by one trade unionist and black activist, Marcus Garvey of Jamaica. The brethren adopted natural life-styles to fortify their commitment to the motherland. They took to living on abandoned estates, crown lands and personal holdings deep in the interior of the island, allowing their hair to coil and matt, cascading over their shoulders towards the waist, and even the knees. The fruits, vegetables and ground provisions that they cultivated, and which were in abundance from the surrounding hinterland were their staples diet. Reggae music had just begun to make its impact on the island and the cover designs of Bob Marley's 'Catch a Fire' and Natty Dread, inspired the brethren, as they listened to the dreadful lament, and cries of burning and looting, much to the dismay of conventional society; whose rely was one of disgust and amazement to this strange phenomena that was to take its place in the social fabric of the country through to the 1980's, the 1990's and beyond.

DREADS COME HOME

Whilst the brothers and the sisters were busy building agricultural bases in the hills to support their I-tal ideology, certain persons were unhappy about their motives. Confrontation broke out between the 'dreads as they were called, identified by their woolly tams and afro-centric hairs styles, as members of the public called on the government of the Premier Patrick John to exterminate what they called the 'Dread Menace'. A massive propaganda campaign geared towards eliminating the dreads was launched. The prohibited and Unlawful Societies Act, commonly called The Dread Act, was rushed through parliament following a 38-day, amnesty, giving the police power to arrest any member of the unlawful association, and above all a license to shoot on sight.

The above events came against the backdrop of the overthrow of Emperor of Ethiopia by young militant army officers on the international scene,

Meanwhile back home in the Caribbean, Jamaican reggae superstar, Bob Marley and condemned black activist, the young Desmond Trotter were at the centre of affairs, at least in the minds of the media and human rights organisations who mounted a world-wide campaign to save the life of’ Destrot’ who in spite of pleading ‘not guilty’ was condemned to hang in 1974 for the murder of an American tourist in. One writer described the Trotter affair as, "one that is rooted deeply in humanism and Christian understanding," and that Desmond Trotter had developed an ethnic philosophy which was in direct response to our ailing society which made him a popular figure with the dread brethren, and an obvious target for the agents of ‘Babylon’ whose intention it was to eradicate the movement and its chief proponent.

An article appearing in the New Chronicle issue of July 19, 1975, captioned, "Dreads Come Home" was a direct letter to the young persons in the hills to encourage and initiate dialogue with them to discuss problems facing the dreads.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The Patrick John-led, Labour government promised vocational training to the dreads to enable the young persons to avail themselves of job opportunities in the state, and to reconcile their differences. This was hailed by the establishment as the first step, by the government to come to grips with ‘dread problem’ Up until then, the name, Rastafari was not yet part of the vocabulary to describe the dreads. It is important to not, that from an historical stand point, that the general disgust by society due in part to the total lack of understanding of the outlook of the dreads cannot be solely attributed to the association of crime and violence to the group. It is unfortunate that a movement, which through its chief proponents exposed doctrines of love for humanity and dignity of cultural ethics, had violent elements creeping into its rank and file. The groups continued use of and cultivation of the ‘holy weed ‘ was a constant cause of consternation between the dreads and the lawmen, with increased cases of police brutality, shoot-outs and kidnappings that virtually put the country in a permanent state of shock and insecurity.

In a subsequent issue, the reasons and circumstances surrounding this dark chapter of the movement will be dealt with, But not all the roped-hair, anti- social, peace and love adherents, call them what you may, were criminals. By 1977 a new generation of fresh blood had joined the struggle and sympathisers grew by the hundreds; more and more turned to craft and artistic careers in music and poetry, and some who had been allowed to settle on a portion of government land had formed themselves in the RASTAFARIAN CO-OPERATIVE COMMUNITY. In part two we look at Rastafarian culture, post independence period, and how Rastafari sought to adjust its self to the task of building, repairing, educating a general public who still long to under (over)stand, and know the truth about RASTAFARIANS in Dominica.

WHAT THEN OF THE STATE OF RASTAFARI MOVEMENT TODAY, WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

A pre-requisite for the success of any movement is an imaginative leadership. RASTAS demand a Rastafarian intelligentsia that will take on that challenge to articulate a Rasta social theory. To design a body of organised values which explain who you are, what you stand for, what is your main program of development and how you intend to carry out that program.

The future of Rastafari lies in the ultimate divine revelation and mystic manifestation, of the reappearance of the Power of the Trinity who alone holds the answers to all of Rasta’s concerns and problems. Babylonian life as a concept has to be rejected out rightly to be replaced with values that re-integrate the African-Ethiopian with his creator, gradually withering out crime, poverty, violence and disease, until complete security is achieved with in the oneness experienced in the God-man divine union.

Needless to say, the RASTAS constant hope is repatriation: to be at the foot of the throne of HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY. In this part two, I continue to present a brief overview of the conditions that led to dreadism, which in turn evolved into Rastafarianism then Ethiopianism hence the title of this essay.

FORWARD RASTAFARI

The true RASTA man will never be content with life in the Caribbean (Carry Beyond). The creed of ‘least resistance’ is not easily applicable here, RASTAFARIANS and DREADLOCKS do not submit to any ideology or institution or set of values whose attitude reminds them of aspects from which they have developed ‘psychic resistance.’ The mission of the RASTAFARIAN is strictly religious. RASTAFARI supplies that new way of life through the oldest way of life: "divine theocracy" (RASTAFARI-Away of Life, page 47. Political convictions are centred on events as they happen on the continent: AFRICAETHIOPIA.

Activities of the Pan-African Congress (PAN), African National Congress (ANC) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) are of particular interest. Rastafari is correct in saying that he has a claim to contribute to the development of black civilisations. Countries like Dominica like ‘Babylon’ and are nor conducive towards the unfolding of the full potential of the Rastaman, that ‘NATURAL MYSTIC’.

THE RASTA scene in Dominica today is one of an uneasy truce. A spirit of conditional peace prevails, punctuated by occasional mishap and ganja busts. How many RASTAFARIANS are there in Dominica? Nobody knows. Government agencies do not recognise RASTAFARIANS and to date no register of members has been devised that will give a true picture. Many RASTAFARIANS do not wear dreadlocks although they share in other aspects of the ideology, and a head count of visible RASTAFARIANS would not be a reliable ground on which to base a count on, as many dreadlocks do not claim the divinity of HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY.

The outlook towards the establishment continues to be one of suspicion and distrust. "Natty Dread" however, realises that even in captivity 21,000 miles away from home, that he must get his culture and seek to live peaceably among all men. A few dreads can be seen among white-collar workers indicating a slow, but gradual acceptance of the state towards RASTA. Especially in the high schools where several RASTA children have been enrolled, and are reported to be exemplary students befitting a child of the Emperor, Haile Sellassie. I

In some respects, the full impact of RASTAFARI cannot be ascertained, as a RASTAFARIAN. As surely as the subject begins with EMPEROR HAILE SELLASSIE I as the visible representative of God. This is old and New Treatment theology, known as RASTA THEOLOGY, RASTAFARIANISM, as the object identifies a physical development in man, through man, with aims and objectives as end results: the base of self reliance. (The Imperial Chronicle)

ETHIOPIAN WORLD FEDERATION INCORPORATED

The formation of a local charter of the Ethiopian World Federation Incorporated (EWF) signalled a new chapter in the history (I-story) of the RASTAFARI movement in the Commonwealth of Dominica with offices located at 34A Potters Street, Pottersville. The EWF, in its preamble to its constitution, sets the standard for positive interaction between the federation and the general public. The aims of the EWF are to promote love and goodwill among Ethiopians at home and abroad, and to usher in the teaching and practice of the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man.

"We the black peoples of the world," quoting from the preamble, "in order to effect unity, solidarity, liberty freedom and self-determination, to secure justice and maintain the integrity of Ethiopia, which is I and I divine Heritage do establish and ordain this constitution for the Ethiopian World Federation." Membership is open to all blacks. For more information on the Ethiopian world Federation Incorporated, please write to EWF Headquarters or call 001-767-448-88671.

Since its inauguration last, the EWF has been instrumental in honouring a former Garveyite in Dominica. As well as presenting African literature and education through various activities, including African liberation Day observances, Marcus Garvey Day and the birthday of Emperor Haile Sellassie. Recently we have seen more sisters coming to the fore, engaging in various needlework and garment manufacturing endeavours. Whilst others run restaurants and snackettes providing a range of tasty soya product, juices and other vegetarian meals.

Another area of Rastafarian achievement is Blow’s Agro Products Limited, manufacturers of herb teas and spices nicely packaged and run by several deadlocked Rastafarian brothers. The emphasis is on economic well being. As the present recession worldwide, the uncertainty of trading agreements with Europe after 1992, as well as other world happenings tend to apply a certain anguish among citizens. An anguish that rubs off deep down in to the heart of the social pyramid where RASTA is both first and last, and the silent witness to the final downfall of ‘Babylon.

REGGAE RUNNINGS

As the walls that separate RASTAFARIANS from the rest of society disintegrate, we can expect to see more and more young people, as well as older citizens embrace the doctrine. Lifetime vocations appear to be more attractive. The local minds begin to place this uniquely indigenous truth perspective. To date, no other group can claim to have contributed more to the overall development of a singular unifying Caribbean consciousness

I-NERGY

I-nergy

That is not

applied…

Is no I-nergy.

Likewise

Thoughts and

ideas

Remain meaningless if not

Turned into reality

FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

I and I speak of a world

That we know best

The negro world of

J.R. Ralph Casimir.

Blackman listen to

The voice of a

Dominican,

For the negro speaks

Again. Like the sound

Of chained naked feet

On the plaza of he

Human market street

ALL OVER THE-I BODY

All over his body

A transformation is taking

Place.

THE DIASPORA AWAKENS

Lifting

His

Weary

Head

To the sympathetic

SON.

Dust created by the downfall of the

Apartheid regime as it

Settles, casts a bright

RAINBOW

OVER THE SEVEN SEAS.

POETS

Dare to dream a world

FREE

From racial discrimination.

Feel this transition…

In

THROUGH THE FAR EYE

I-MAN OF I-RATION

Man of I-ration

Rise up upon thy feet

Shake loose the locks of thine head

For verily thou shall be fed

Man of I-ration Feel the awesome power of The Father

Acknowledge his bountiful goodness

For knowledge of Jah is the beginning of happiness

Man of I-ration

Sing aloud a new song

For today you are born

But tomorrow a new era will dawn

DON’T WORRY

Don’t worry about a thing,

Every little thing will be all right.

Zion train is coming our way.

Jah will be waiting there.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Who Jah bless, no man curse.

Where I am, thou shall abide,

Blood is thicker than water.

Don’t worry about a thing,

We JAH PEOPLE can make things work.

When one door is closed, many more

are opened. I want you to know that I’m a rainbow too.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Because none of them can stop the time.

I know Jah will never let us down,

And we’re jammin’ in the name of The Lord.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Because the biggest man you ever did

see was just a baby. It’s a new feeling, it’s a new day,

 and we just can’t live in a negative way.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Some will hate you pretend they love you. These are

 the big fish, who always try to eat down

 the small fish, and we’re moving right out of Babylon.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Though there’s so much trouble in the world.

The hotter the battle, the sweeter the victory,

but we know that we shall win, cause

we are confident in the VICTORY of good over evil.

Don’t worry about a thing.

Because the sun is shinning and the weather is sweet.

We’ll be forever loving Jah and who the cap fit, let them wear it.

LONESOME FEELING

I-man all alone

Yes just one more time.

I’m all alone,

Without a Queen to

Liven up my home.

Just The-I.

The-I within I

With no one else to live for

All by I self-except for the fragments of the past score.

The reason is…

I and I really don’t know why.

Maybe because of some wrong doing in I past,

That has a lighted on me, by and by.

It hurts me so much to pass you,

Without saying hello.

But from the expressions on

Your face

Tells me your love for The –I,

Has sunk rather low.

But sometimes I and I wonder, what goes on in your

Juvenile mind

Cause when you see I a coming, you

Turn on your heels and hide.

Daughter, you used to tell me about things, I and I could not remember.

Now I and I am so sure the things that I told you, The-I will never forget.

And now,

Though we are a part.

I hope,

They will have some meaning for you

For indeed I and I

Know

You are all alone

Too.

TOMORROW’S

CHILD

A young DREAD…

feels his empty pockets

whilst the I lifts his head

to the distant sky

HIM tiny

fingers pierce his

Punctured trousers

Whilst The-I toes appear through his shoes

This youthman is no saint

The I clings to his past but

chants that, "I –man may grow up fast."

Today’s

Youthman are without direction

They are confused

By their parents direction

Babylon offers them little guidance

But still they here

Man and man must render

I-bedience

Tomorrow’s child come what may

Sellassie I rule, The-I must obey

So Rastafari say.

WHERE HAS LOVE GONE

Where has love gone? No where can

I and I find her. She is hidden from I and I sight.

I kinsman

and I countryman have declared war against I and I.

I and I dreadlocks they do not like

I and I words…they cannot hear.

They mis-overstand I and I.

They have rejected

And cast themselves away from I and I

Honourable men!

Who Am I to blame

For this lack of overstanding

Between the older and younger generation?

Who am I to blame

for the victimisation of innocent youths.

Just where has love gone?

She is hidden from I and I sight.

Has your heart been hardened?

Or is it pharaoh that is responsible

For I and I people’s plight?

Hear this!

Many a weak heart

Shall stoop in their shameful guiltiness,

But many who are prudent shall repent.

A LUTTA CONTINUA

The struggle is on.

A LUTTA CONTINUA!

The struggle for SURVIVAL.

Dread in this time,

But the sun must shine

RASTA please wear a smile

‘Cause you know it is only for a while.

The battle is hot,

Be not deceived

A LUTTA CONTINUA

the struggle for SURVIVAL

LET JAH ARISE

Let JAH ARISE

Let all his enemies be scattered.

Let I AND I go free,

Free from all captivity.

SELLASSIE I did show I AND I the true way of life.

It will be DREADER THAN DREAD.

Who can stand his fury?

Only NATTY DREAD.

YES I.

The bongo Man a come with haste.

To splash shame in the bald- head man face.

Who will abide with the Almighty?

I AND I

De remnants of his people

De I-surection of his church

All ‘dem’ and ‘dose’ ‘dat’ know dat

"JAH NO DEAD"

Him a just cool in his meditation

Until de hour of his vengeance.

When JAH arise

I RASTAFARI will rejoice

Singing

Holy, Holy, Holy

Lord Jah Almighty

Who was, who is who always will be

King of I-ration.

Sing I-ses before H.I.M.

BABYLON SYSTEM

You too rude!

Oh! What a rat race.

Babylon system is a

Vampire,

But I’m a duppy conqueror:

So JAH seh.

RASTAMAN live up,

Live if you want to live.

Zion Train is coming our

Way:

JAH LOVE protect us…

I want to give you some

Love,

But the Babylon System is a

VAMPIRE.

Would you make the system

Fight

Against your Brotherman?

Oh no…oh no, dread no.

Turn your lights down low,

Let me tell you what I know.

I’m hurting inside.

They say LOVE is a stream

That

Will find its course:

JAH LOVE protect us…

Now I know who is the real revolutionaries, but who’s

Gonna

Stay at home when the

FREEDOM

FIGHTERS are fighting.

Babylon system is a

VAMPIRE

Sucking the children day by day,

But the gift of JAH is life.

JAH LOVE protect us…

BOB’S PROPHECY

NATTY DREAD

A liberate ZIMBABWE!

Was it Revelation?

Is it prophecy?

No more pain

No more sorrow

Majority rule I and I say,

AFRICAN rule today.

The shackles have now been broken.

Their law books are now burning burning

The door for man and man RASTAMAN has now been opened

Because in the EAST a NEW light has shone.

Come together to over come

ZIMBABWE today

AZANIA tomorrow.

Together we will fight.

Our WAR CRY

AFRICA UNITE

I and I tears now turned to cheers

Praise JAH Africa is free

Three cheers for Honourable ROBERT NESTA MARLEY

Once again FREEDOM and LIBERTY

PORTALS

To see her smile

For just a while is like a

Beautiful RAINBOW over the city of ROSEAU.

To hear her voice, in the midst of noise is like a cadence refrain

Again and again.

To hold her hand within my hand is like a…

A cluster of stars about our heads.

To kiss her lips,

Caress her hips is like a…

KISS from the Caribbean Sea.

RELEASE I A WARRIOR

Release I you must, my dearest QUEEN. For the conch shell sounds from way up beyond the gates of the village.

Must I and I a black Mandingo warrior deny his duty to his tribe while the enemy threatens with many a weapon.

Your endearments to I are sweeter than honey…but I must be gone. For the white man has come again with his sticks of lightening. The WARRIORS

Are all ready

To fight, the good fight.

In the name of our people

To liberate our children and

children’s

children

from the tyranny of these men

Whom we received

with kindness.

Release me, my love

For I and I would rather die…for our

children’s sake, than to be carried away in the belly of their floating fort

Like beasts to an unknown world.

My dearest QUEEN,

I feel the weight of your head on my hairy chest,

And feel the soft smoothness of your skin on my knotty beard.

But a fire burns in my black heart,

And now I must leave your side

CHILD OF LIGHT

I am

A child of light

I

Am

A child of life

I colour is BLACK

I and I culture is

RASTAFARI.

I ANCESTRAL HOME IS

WEST AFRICA.

And as surely as the

TREE OF LIFE

-the healing of the nation

Has its roots in the seven heavens of RASTA.

And as surely as its branches reach down to the

AFRICA soil

From whence springs my inspiration

For Repatriation,

I and, I and I

Are bound for the

African continent.

THE LAND OF MY FOREFATHERS

Holy Mount

Africa

LET AFRICA UNITE

So

Let AFRICA UNITE

And

Let all his enemies be scattered

Yes I, Just let I AND I

Go free, free from all forms of SLAVERY.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, HAILE SELLASSIE I…DI TEACH I AND I THE TRUE THINGS OF LIFE…

THAT UNTIL THE PHILOSOPHY THAT HOLDS THAT ONE RACE IS SUPERIOR THAN ANOTHER IS FINALLY, AND PERMANENTLY, DISCREDITED AND ABANDONED EVERYWHERE IS…

WAR AND RUMOURS OF WARS!

But who will AGREE with

HIS MAJESTY

Only I and I:

The remnants of his people

Only I and I:

The restoration of HIS Church

Only I and I:

All ones and ones that know

that

EMPEROR HAILE SELLASSIE I

IS-NOT-DEAD

H.I.M A JUST COOL IN HIS IRE MEDITATION, until the hour of Black man redemption.

And when

THE LION OF JUDAH WILL ARISE

With fire and brimstone in his eyes

Sing glory to GOD

The

SON OF GOD has come

And RASTAFARI is his name

THE HAILE SELLASSIE I CHANT

Rastafari,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Marijuana,

HAILE SELLASIE I.

Reggae music,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

I-tiopia, I-Tiopia,

HAILE SELLASIE I.

Power of authority,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Power of the Holy Trinity,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Elect of God,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Earth’s rightful ruler,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Conquering Lion of Judah.

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Natty Dreadlocks, bongo I,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Rastaman Vibration,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Hope of the race,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

soul rebellion,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Prophet of Dread,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Dread I-templation,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

King of Kings

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Lord of Lords,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

On his vesture,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

On his thigh,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

Red, Gold and Green,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

I-tiopian World Federation,

HAILE SELLASSIE I.

WINDS OF CHANGE

Everything seems to be in a perpetual state of motion,

for ever transforming.

Today I

am a vibrant young adult. Yesterday,

I was a crying toddler. Tomorrow who knows what I might be. Even our ideas blend with the tossing and the twirling. Yesterday the world was

Thought to be flat, today, we believe it is giant globe.

Famous men, they come and go, from oblivion to eternal condemnation.

Are you going to stand still, or are you going to resist the winds of change that are blowing

around you…that are blowing through you. Or are you going to allow your self to be tossed

 in the currents like a blade of grass or a piece of tissue paper?

OH BABYLON

I

Oh Babylon You must repent for all the crimes that you have committed against my people.

JAH people are on the rise once again, never to be enslaved no more.

The kingdom of Jah is at hand. The writing is on the wall.

Babylon you must fall

SO JAH SHE.

II

You removed the landmarks

Of I and I fathers to divide and rule I and I. But through the POWER OF BLACK

 UNITY. You have to draw back. I and I are on the attack

SO JAH SEH

III

Run Babylon

Return to your country!

These are the days of the repatriated. Run whilst you still can. Go back to Babylon.

RUN BABYLON, RUN RUN

Leave Africa for African at home and abroad.

For Marcus

Garvey

words come to pass. And she who laugh last, laugh best.

SO JAH SEH.

IV

For over 500 years your ancestors plundered and murdered we gentle AFRICANS,

BROUGHT US TO THE WEST IN CHAINS AND SOLD US LIKE HUMAN CARGO.

WORKED US TO THE BONE FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET.

But now the time of REPARATION has come. For RASTAFARIANS demand equal rights and justice.

COMPENSATE the descendants of the slaves…for slavery is wrong, as even your own clergymen have said..

AND

If SLAVERYIS WRONG THE WICKED MUST PAY.

SO JAH SHE.

V

Oh Babylon

Woe to you who’s conscience has been hardened by GREED. You stole our FATHERLAND,

OUR GOLD AND OUR SILVER. AND WASTED OUR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

You taught us that God is Love…that we should obey our masters, and them that have rule over us.

BUT I and I have no master but EMPEROR HAILE SELLASSIE I…

WHO WAS NOT AFRAID TO TELL THE CHILDREN THE TRUTH.

"THAT UNTIL THE IGNOBLE AND UNHAPPY REGIME THAT HOLDS I AND I

 BROTHERS IN SUBHUMAN BONDAGE IN ANGOLA, IN MOZAMBIQUE AND

 SOUTH AFRICA HAS BEEN TOPPLED AND TOTALLY DOWNSTOYED EVERYWHERE IS

WAR AND RUMOURS OF WAR.

But no bombs and guns will stop

WE AFRICANS,

WE AFRO-AMERICANS, WE BLACK BRITONS

WE WEST INDIANS,

WE RASTAFRIANS.

This is JUDGEMENT TIME

WE are more than sand on the seashore, WE are more than number

WE are a mighty race with respect and dignity

GO AWAY

With your white God that smiled a crocked smile as you brutalised the

very soul of innocent BLACK PEOPLE.

GO AWAY

With your WHITE GOD

THAT chuckled with demonic glee as you exterminated

THE RED INDIAN

THE MAYA

THE AZTEC

THE ARAWAKS

THE CARIBS

FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

But that river of blood now runs to your front door…

SO JAH SEH.

VI

Oh Babylon,

did you believe that you would continue to kill the prophets and that I

 and I would stand aside and look for all ages like you killed the prophets of old.

Well, I want you to know the spirits of

MARCUS GARVEY,

MARTIN LUTHER KING,

MALCOLM X,

BOB MARLEY

WALTER RODNEY

STEVE BIKO are all alive in NELSON MANDELA for agitating for

the rights of I and I people was cast into prison for twenty-seven years.

BUT the table is turned.

JAH PEOPLE are on the rise once again.

JAH PEOPLE have seen the light.

WE will stand by our own

NO RACISM

NO APARTHEID

NO RACIAL LIBERATION will hinder the forward march towards

TOTAL LIBERATION

For we have ways and means.

YOU PUT STUMBLING BLOCKS IN OUR WAY.

But these we will turn to stepping stones, if it be that we have to step on

the heads of your children; to reach to your necks, whose head we will sever with

the cutlass of truth…and toss your body to the wild beast.

VII

Yes Babylon

I hate you with a perfect hatred for all the crimes committed against I and I people.

You instil in I and I people a state of fear.

A fear for losing our life.

But we cannot die.

The struggle is our lives.

What I and I cannot achieve in our lifetime I and I children will at last achieve.

For the Big Sound from the Little rock will keep the fire burning…

For as long as the rainbow exists will remind I and I of I-tiopia I and I eternal heritage.

For the very colour of I and I skin: beautiful black reminds I and I of I and I purpose for living.

To see that I and I people are set free…

From all forms of MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC SLAVERY.

AND ALL FORMS OF FALSE FREEDOM.

NOW

That APARTHEID has fallen

DO YOU WANT MORE?

Yes we want all of AFRICA to be free!

AFRICA is I and I birthright.

JAH gave this continent to us…and you Babylon took it away.

SO JAH SHE

VIII

Fire and Brimstone

For Babylon and all Bagga Wire.

The lake of perpetual fire has already been prepared for the devils and his

angels, and such as would be so bold to stand in the way of advancing liberation forces.

Now Africa…weep not.

Rest your weary head on my shoulders. I and I will never forsake you.

Even if it means that:

I too

Will be assassinated for fighting form my rights,

Even if it means that I too

Will be imprisoned for stirring up the racial pride

Of a people long under the hands of oppression.

Even though I and I know that these few words of this solemn

 poem can do little harm to the enemy of our race.

But it shall water the seeds of the revolution.

SO JAH SEH

ONLY RASTAFARI

With the end of every day

We

Enslave I and I ancestors anew

With our obedience to decrees that address the aspirations of our captors.

Our passivity breeds and ugly offspring

Colonisation in its latest form.

Only Rastafari sees differently.

His patriotic chant of REPATRIATION is a threat to the establishment

that thrives on the blood of a hurdling mass… our people.

Black because

Mother Africa built her nest in the sun

TOO BLACK for sympathy

TOO BLACK for respect

But black enough to be reduced to a beast of burden.

With every new morning.

We sell out

Toussaint L’Overture.

WE hid in the comfort of our anonymity.

BEHIND A SEA OF FACES

Paul Boogle died not for us you say.

Neither did Congo Ray.

WE are content to be classless being.

Whose destiny it is to feed the hungry worms…the descendants of greedy colonialists.

ONLY RASTAFARI FEELS THE PAIN.

With the passing of centuries

WE bury our glorious heritage with alien tongues…mode

of dress, religion that tames the will to rebel,

Like Hannibal, that GREAT AFRICA WARRIOR who tried

 to abort the slaughter of an entire African race

ONLY RASTAFARI WILL PUT UP A FIGHT.

Only Rastafari will not surrender his pride

His dreadlocks circles his shoulder like mighty madras fluffing

 in the winds of change that are blowing across this planet…

Where the

BLACK STAR LINER will salvage the corpse of millions

 of Negroes whose spirits returned to the MOTHERLAND.

Only RASTAFARI cares

To think black

To talk black

To act black

To be black and be proud of that fact

That our negritude is is endowed by a

Black God in a

Black Heaven

That

Will reward the

Black revolutionaries

With a throne of black gold

Upon a pedestal of

Black ebony

For all the world to see

ONLY RASTAFARI KNOWS

NATTY NELSON

Natty Nelson

Congo Bongo Nelson.

Nelson Mandela in a Lion’s den.

Congo Bongo Nelson in a

WHITE MAN’S world.

RAS NELSON

KING NELSON

Higher blackman…lead your people through the Dead Sea:

BY

DAY AND BY NIGHT.

Not by POWER not by MIGHT

BUT by the teachings of MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY.

YOU have nothing to fear, but fear itself.

I AND I cause is a RIGHTEOUS cause.

VICTORY IS ON THE HORIZON

APARTHEID IS FALLEN…

THROUGH THE POWER OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION.

NATTY NELSON

Walk through Babylon gate

Congo Bongo Nelson

Restore your sense of power.

King Nelson

AFRICAN ROYALTY

All your enemies shall lick the dust

All your enemies shall bow before you.

PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA

In a lion’s den.

MR. NELSON MANDELA in a white man’s world

LONG LIVE NELSON MANDELA

King Nelson will paint the white man’s world BLACK

MORE BLACK AWARENESS TO YOU MY BROTHER

UHURU

LITTLE BROWN EYES

She stood there almost a virgin untouched by the cold

and immoral hands of today’s society. Green and beautiful:

rising out of the rolling Caribbean Sea. The tropical sun pouring

 down from the heavens upon her rugged and voluptuous back

 through the silent observant clouds that hung lazily to the

skyline above drifting ever so effortlessly, as it were from the east.

The distance between did not reveal that there on that

Isle of Beauty was life other than the coastal fringe that

 greeted the eye: white Cedars and seaside grapes. The

distance between did not reveal that creatures great and

small hid among the mangrove and coconut trees, and

swam in the cool waters of the flowing rivers and surrounding Caribbean sea.

The distance between did not disclose the name of living

beings, male and female: beautiful in their nature with

long black hair and caramel skin.

No European had ever passed this way before, nor

had it occurred to them that this rugged landscape, which

presented itself as a gift from God , could not have been

parts of India. Little did the world know that a place the

 Caribs called WAITIKUBULI existed ever since the earth began.

Little did

LITTLE BROWN EYES

know that the arrival here of these ships would change

 the course of history, and their destiny, and their descendants destiny for all time

AWAKE MY DEAR BELOVED

I sweetheart sleeps in the middle of a lapo kabwit.

Her copper-coloured eyelids held tighter than SEVEN

HUNDRED MILES OF BLACK STAR LINERS.

Oh how lovely her mystic breath rushes out

 and rushes in like vapours from a macadam street.

Her long, brown, locks flow from the crown of her head

caressing her shoulders as it flows like the ancient ROSEAU

 RIVER that flows and flows and flows.

A deep sleep seduces I beloved like a mystery, but

the lady floats so effortlessly upon a sea of words.

I see her heaving breasts like two mountains a quiver

to the latent power that within her rests.

That grows and grows and grows in every poet’s heart.

That blows and blows and blows in every gust of wind.

That rushes forth down those macadam streets as old as

colonial history.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

I’m a proud Dominican,

I said I am.

I’m a proud Dominican,

I said I am,

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

You beautiful Dominican

Let your light shine

You Wonderful Dominican.

Cause you’re a true Dominican,

That’s what you be

A free

Dominican,

You can’t fool me.

I tell you what you be and you agree.

I tell you what you be and you agree.

I no judge by no colour

I know judge by no colour.

I tell you me no judge by no complexion,

I tell you me no judge by no recitation.

I tell you me no judge by no complexion.

I tell you me no judge by no recitation.

Ah me no judge by no colour.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

You beautiful Dominican.

Let your light shine

You Wonderful Dominican.

Cause I’m a proud Dominican.

I said I am.

I’m a proud Dominican trodding through the land.

Tell you, a go tell them in a DOMFESTA.

Tell you a go tell them in a CARIFESTA.

Tell you a go tell them in a BBC news flash.

Ah tell you a go tell them in a reggae sunsplash.

Cause every time I go abroad, then I’m alone.

And every time a go abroad, Ah have to think of home.

Oh yes I’m a proud Dominican.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

You beautiful Dominican.

Let your light shine

You Wonderful Dominican.

Yes I love Dominica.

Tell you me adore Dominica.

I really love Dominica.

I tell you me adore Dominica.

Dominica is the country where I want to live,

And Dominica is the country where I want to die.

In sweet Dominica

In paradise Dominica.

In tropical Dominica.

Pre-industrial Dominica.

Cause I’m a proud Dominican.

I said I am.

A cool Dominican

That’s what I am.

MY NATIVE LAND

I and I native land trudges an arduous course

dishonoured by the blood of massacred Caribs.

Her story before the arrival of the Europeans was

written in the trees of her forests…now antiques of the

conquests of colonialism.

So very much like Africa from whence the Negroes

 came, in chains. The lushness of our mountains,

a reminder of the land of our fore parents.

The wars of the French and English

immortalised by street names.

Can this beautiful island rise again?

Along this cursed path where MAROONS

were lynched fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.

I and I native land trudges and arduous course

Dishonoured by the indifference of their citizens of today.

JAH LOVES JAMAICA

I I know JAH LOVES JAMAICA

Jamaica, Jamaica where MARCUS GARVEY comes from.

MARCUS GARVEY Champion of the BLACK RACE.

Caribbean patriarch…. forerunner of the Black Messiah.

"Look to the Eas where a BLACK King shall be crowned!!!"

Behold in AADDIS ABABA

This man was corn there.

HAILE SELLASSIE I

Inna I-tiopia

Inna I-tiopia.

WHERE

THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH step foot on the tri-colured rainbow

Inna I-tiopia.

I man feel it inna I and I bones JAH LOVES JAMAICA.

I AND I getto philosophytells I

JAH LOVES JAMAICA

JAMAICA JAMAICA

Land where the four

RASTA EVANGELISTS COME FROM.

WHO WALKED UP AND DOWN THE STREETS OF KINGSTON

Preaching

Teaching

enlightening

The people of the RASTAFRIAN Kingdom

HAIL THE RASTA EVANGELISTS

MYSTIC RASTAMAN

Founders of The RASTAFARI MOVEMANT

Inna carrybeyond

Inna jamdown

FLOWERS FOR MY TEACHER