For some reggae is about a good time and positive vibes. It is about what you as a person can bring to the party, a smile, a handshake, a hug, a laugh, through enthusiasm and happiness. For other listeners, the music is about a vibe, a spiritual journey, a religous affiliation, or perhaps a prophecy. In the middle, I think are warriors, the ones that understand struggle, trials and tribulations.  They are the ones that uprise to balance the scales in equality. It's within the power of redemption, retribution, restitution and regards to race that salvages us from becoming savages in this world.

The musicality of reggae is rooted in philosophy thats universal. Many misunderstand the cultural practice of smoking herb as the only reason to listen to Rasta. It's in the the speech and language of a culture that differentiates time and space. In reggae, the music does not require understanding but overstanding. The term "overstand" originates from the patois language of the Jamaicans.  Breaking the words down in the prefixes explains the obvious, as under is beneath, below, lower or covered.  For a subjugated group those words are negative.  In response to those negative ideas, the word, "overstand" represents the positive and represents the rise from oppression within knowledge.  It is not to just accept an idea, concept or belief but to bring those ideologies to life.  The word over refers to above, upon, reaching or engaged.  The study of Rastafari often is correlated to the study of epistemics or the theory of cognitions with the perceptual, intellectual and linguistics of reggae, religious doctrines of Rastafarians, and spiritual reasoning from life experiences compared to academic rationalizing.  The main goal in overstanding is self sufficiency and sustainability.

Wisdom is better than silver or gold (Zion Train ~ Bob Marley).  In mainstream reggae, no one is more recognized that the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley.  It must be said that he wouldn't have been the man he was without others by his side and they are often forgotten.  The Wailers, his wife, Rita, the other backup singers of the I Threes harmonized the sound that reverberated the world. As reggae is a subculture from mainstream culture, the treasures of other artists have yet to receive the world recognition comparable to Bob Marley.  However, the unification of the artistry speaks in volumes as the words of Rasta, reggae and roots culture have become heard, seen and known.  From ska, to roots, to rock steady, to lovers rock and to dancehall, for all styles, the prevailing theme of reggae music concerns individual self worth and where in history they belong.  Dependent on the artist, their songs and styles, I believe the music still speaks to the masses.  Peter Tosh went solo and did the same thing as did so many others.  From the roots, to the saplings, to the trunk, to the branches, to the limbs and to the leaves, the woods that stand before me is like a family of ideas that keeps growing.

Within any religion, there's often a fine line between worship and believing.  In reggae music, the teachings are about living for God. We have heard it time and time again with the religions of the past, as the Scriptures and scared writings of the Bible, the Torah and the Koran.  However, in Rasta, like Buddhists, there is a lack of formal principles in the spiritual culture and its often highly valued as individual journeys in knowledge.  They are looser in structure but remain schools of thought compared to the strict religious dogma and pragmatics of Catholics or Muslim sects.  Though, like in any religion there are definitive absolutes.  For many Rastas and non Rastas believe the time is now, with the proclaimation that God is an living man and reincarnated in His Imperial Majesty, the Ethiopian king and ruler, Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie I was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian.  Historically, Ethiopia and the region is deeply rooted in Christianity as it is considered the oldest Christian monarch in Africa.  Selassie's history is vast and complex but he is also the only first internationally recognized black leaders of the 20th century, as he is known as the King of Kings.

Zion Train


Which man can save his brother's soul? (save your brother's soul)
Oh man, it's just self control. (oo-hoo-oo!)
Don't gain the gold and lose your soul (just don't lose your soul)
Wisdom is better than silver and gold -
To the bridge (ooh-ooh!)

Oh, where there's a will,
There's always a way.
Where there's a will,
There's always a way (way, way, way, way),

Soul train is coming our way; er!
Soul train is coming our way.