adminBob Marley was the first international artiste to perform in Zimbabwe at the invitation of the Government. Soon after Independence from Britain was formally proclaimed, Bob Marley was called on stage. This was before a host of international and local dignitaries including Prince Charles of England who had come to officially take down the Union Jack, the symbol of colonial occupation.
A member of Bob Marley’s entourage later revealed that Prince Charles and Bob Marley had been at the same airport at the same time waiting for a connecting flight to Harare and the British prince sent aides with an invitation for the reggae king to come over. Bob reportedly sent back his own message saying that Prince Charles could as well pop over himself and meet the king among his people. The meeting did not happen.
He finished his set by singing Zimbabwe, a song that he composed during his pilgrimage to Ethiopia late in 1978. Many fans and critics list the song as arguably his most important single composition.
The next day Bob Marley performed before a crowd of over 100 000 who were mostly local citizens who turned up to see the icon. That show remains one of the largest ever crowd pullers in the country. – The Herald Entertainment/rastafaritimes.com
Lyrics
Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny,
And in this judgment there is no partiality.
So arm in arms, with arms, we’ll fight this little struggle,
Cause that’s the only way we can overcome our little trouble.
Brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We gon’ fight (we gon’ fight), we’ll have to fight (we gon’ fight),
We gonna fight (we gon’ fight), fight for our rights!
Natty Dread it in-a (Zimbabwe);
Set it up in (Zimbabwe);
Mash it up-a in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate (Zimbabwe), yeah.
No more internal power struggle;
We come together to overcome the little trouble.
Soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionary,
Cause I don’t want my people to be contrary.
And, brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), we gonna fight (we gon’ fight)
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
Mash it up in-a (Zimbabwe);
Natty trash it in-a (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
I’n’I a-liberate Zimbabwe.
(Brother, you’re right,) you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We gon’ fight (we gon’ fight), we’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight),
We gonna fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
To divide and rule could only tear us apart;
In everyman chest, mm – there beats a heart.
So soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionaries;
And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.
Brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), we gonna fight (we gon’ fight),
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
Natty trash it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Mash it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Natty dub it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe).
Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Every man got a right to decide his own destiny. — MetroLyrics
Online Reporter