Selassié

(Intro – spoken softly) Jah bless… Thanks to listen Yovan’s reggae my friends (Chorus – female choir) Hail di King of Kings, Rastafari Haile Selassie I, Jah live and neva die Holy Emmanuel, oh Most High We praise your name, your name we glorify (Verse 1) From Addis Ababa, a likkle prince was born Tafari Mekonnen rise up inna di dawn Crowned inna Iration, prophecy fulfil Di Lion of Judah, Jah works him a do still Him stand fi justice, equal rights fi every man Inna Africa him fight fi unification Even when babylon rise with invasion Him neva bow down — firm foundation (Chorus – female choir) Hail di King of Kings, Rastafari Haile Selassie I, Jah live and neva die Holy Emmanuel, oh Most High We praise your name, your name we glorify [instrumental brass] (Verse 2) 1936 him speak inna di League of Nations Warn dem ’bout war, corruption, and wicked actions Babylon neva listen, world soon fall in flames Selassie words echo — still calling out dem names Him teach di youths: “Education is di key” “Without di roots, no fruit pon di tree” Humility, wisdom, guidance, royalty Him show di world how fi walk in dignity (Chorus – female choir harmonies stronger) Hail di King of Kings, Rastafari Haile Selassie I, Jah live and neva die Lion of Judah sit upon di throne so high Guiding we soul, Jah light will never lie [instrumental brass] (Bridge – call & response) Lead: Jah! Choir: ♪ Jah Rastafari ♪ Lead: King Selassie I! Choir: ♪ Mi spirit soar so high ♪ Lead: Ethiopia! Choir: ♪ Mama Africa cry ♪ Lead: Unity! Choir: ♪ We need it worldwide ♪ [instrumental]