Made In Reggae: Some Weed Anthems

Today is April 20, and in America one can't help but do some irie meditating, just because in America its also "weed day" (420).  Being Jamaican, and growing up in that culture one can hardly escape knowing what weed, otherwise referred to as ganja, marijuana, pot, cannabis, herb, I-ncients, collie, sensi, and a number of other names is.  Of course, the use of ganja in Jamaica is still illegal, and its possession is criminal, therefore it is largely used outside of the public eye.  No doubt this has contributed to its mystique and appeal and equally its celebration in music.

To date there are several "weed anthems" that have been done by reggae artists in Jamaica and worldwide.  And there exists compilation albums with some of the more popular songs.  One of the anthems I think that capture the enduring sentiment of the Jamaican popular culture is titled Tired Fi Lick Weed Inna Bush originally released in 1976 by the inimitable Jacob Miller.  It is still relevant.

Ooh, now, want to be free....

Tired fe lick weed in a bush

Tired fe lick pipe in a gully

We want to come out in the open

Where the breeze can blow it so far away

To the north, to the south,

To the eas', an' to the wes' , to the wes'

Talkin' about Jones Town, Trench Town, concrete jungle, too

From Waterhouse, that's the wes', that's the bes', that's the wes'

From St. Ann's it comes to you

The best collie weed you ever drew

So why should you run and hide

From the red seam, the blue seam, the khaki clothes, too, hmm

Tired fe lick weed in a bush

Tired fe lick chillum in a gully

We want to come out in the open

Where the breeze can blow it so far away

To the north, to the south,

To the eas', an' to the wes' , to the wes', ooh now

We want, we want to be free....

Tired Fi Lick Weed Inna Bush, Jacob Miller

There are lots of other songs, here's a list I pulled together on Spotify for your listening pleasure:

Much like the case in Jamaica with the spread of the weed culture through reggae music, so too 420 spread through the music in the USA.  Beyond the music, 420 has cemented itself in the counter culture tradition of the USA and now has a permanent place in American culture.  Now, 420 is acknowledged in film, literature and the visual arts and there is no doubt that this will continue for some time.  Happy listening.

 

Irie 420 America!

PS.  Read my full article titled "Irie 420 from Jamaica" in the 2014 420 Issue of Irie Mag.