Rastaman, live up!
Bongoman, don’t give up!
Congoman, live up, yeah!
Binghi-man don’t give up!
Keep your culture:
Don’t be afraid of the vulture!
Grow your dreadlock:
Don’t be afraid of the wolf-pack!
Rastaman, live up!
Binghi-man, don’t give up!
Congoman, live up, yeah!
Bongoman, don’t give up!
David slew Goliath with a sling and a stone
Samson slew the Philistines with a donkey jawbone:
Iyaman, live up!
Rastaman, don’t give up!
Binghi-man, live up!
Congoman, don’t give up!
Trodding through creation in a irie meditation
Seen many visions in-a this yah Armagiddyon:
Rastaman, live up!
Congoman, don’t give up!
Rastaman, live up, yeah!
Natty Dread, no give up!
Saw it in the beginning, so shall it be in this iwa
And they fallen in confusion, well-a just a step from Babel Tower
Rastaman live up!
Congoman, no give up!
Rastaman live up, yeah!
Congoman, no give up!
Grow your dreadlocks
Don’t be afraid of the wolf-pack!
A-tell you, one man a-walkin’
And a billion man a-sparkin’
Rastaman, live up!
Binghi-man, don’t give up!
Don’t give up, don’t give up, don’t give up!
The Power of Upliftment and Resilience
“Rastaman Live Up!” by Bob Marley is a triumphant anthem celebrating resilience, cultural pride, and spiritual strength. Through repeated calls to “live up” and “don’t give up,” Marley rallies Rastafarians and listeners alike to stay true to their roots and values in the face of adversity. The lyrics draw on biblical references, such as David and Goliath and Samson, to highlight the power of faith and determination over seemingly insurmountable odds. Marley also emphasizes the importance of maintaining cultural identity, symbolized by the encouragement to grow dreadlocks and resist societal pressures. The imagery of “trodding through creation” and standing firm against confusion and oppression speaks to a universal struggle for justice and self-empowerment.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bob Marley
- Songwriter: Bob Marley
- Release Year: 1983
- Label: Tuff Gong