Stiff-necked fools, you think you are cool
To deny me for simplicity
Yes, you have gone for so long
With your love for vanity now
Yes, you have got the wrong interpretation
Mixed up with vain imagination
So take Jah Sun, and Jah Moon
And Jah Rain, and Jah Stars
And forever, yes, erase your fantasy, yea-eah!
The lips of the righteous teach many
But fools die for want of wisdom
The rich man’s wealth is in his city
The righteous’ wealth is in his Holy Place
So take Jah Sun, and Jah Moon
And Jah Rain, and Jah Stars
And forever, yes, erase your fantasy, yeah!
Destruction of the poor is in their poverty
Destruction of the soul is vanity, yeah!
So stiff-necked fools, you think you are cool
To deny me for simplicity, yea-ea-eah!
Yes, you have gone – gone for so long
With your love for vanity now
But I don’t wanna rule ya!
I don’t wanna fool ya!
I don’t wanna school ya:
Things you – you might never know about!
Yes, you have got the wrong interpretation
Mixed up with vain – vain imagination:
Stiff-necked fools, you think you are cool
To deny me for, o-ooh, simplicity
Understanding the Message in “Stiff Necked Fools”
In “Stiff Necked Fools,” Bob Marley addresses those who, out of pride and vanity, reject simplicity and spiritual wisdom. He uses the term ‘stiff-necked’ to describe people who are stubborn, resistant to change, and overly concerned with material wealth. The lyrics emphasize the importance of humility and inner wealth over external riches, warning that vanity and ignorance lead to spiritual poverty. By referencing natural elements like the sun, moon, rain, and stars, Marley encourages listeners to reconnect with the fundamentals of life and erase fantasies built on superficial values.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bob Marley
- Songwriters: Bob Marley
- Release Year: 1983
- Label: Tuff Gong/Island Records