Song Meaning

The lyrics present a fervent call to "Bun down Sodom!" and "Babylon," framing a stark dichotomy between a righteous, divinely guided "East" and a corrupt, oppressive "Babylon." The dominant tone is one of righteous anger and a demand for divine judgment against perceived societal ills. The narrator urges listeners to "Leave outta Babylon and look to di East" for "comfort and peace," establishing a clear geographical and spiritual divide. This sets the stage for a powerful denunciation of what the lyrics identify as corrupting influences, including "false education," "false religion," and societal changes like "man fi all married to man." The repeated assertion "Dem wrong" functions as a relentless indictment, building a case against the established order. The central tension arises from the perceived spiritual and moral decay of "Babylon" versus the adherence to divine law and the teachings of "Jah" and "Emperor Selassie I." The lyrics explicitly condemn practices and ideas that deviate from a divinely ordained path, linking them to biblical destruction. This is amplified by the direct invocation of Sodom and Gomorrah, biblical cities destroyed for their wickedness, serving as a potent metaphor for the fate awaiting "Babylon." The narrator's plea for divine intervention, "My Lord!" and the repeated calls for destruction underscore a deep-seated belief in an impending, justified reckoning. The most striking craft element is the relentless, almost incantatory repetition of "Bun down Sodom!" coupled with the defiant declaration, "Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow!" This repetition creates a powerful sense of urgency and unwavering conviction, functioning as a battle cry. The integration of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd," within the verses serves as a counterpoint, grounding the fiery pronouncements in a message of divine protection and guidance for the faithful. This juxtaposition of judgment and solace highlights the dual nature of the narrator's faith: a belief in both divine wrath and divine deliverance. These lyrics resonate due to their unyielding certainty and the visceral imagery of divine retribution. The direct, accusatory language and the invocation of biblical parallels create a sense of profound moral conviction. By framing societal changes as corruptions that warrant divine destruction, the lyrics tap into a primal desire for order and justice, offering a powerful, albeit uncompromising, vision of spiritual warfare. The repeated calls for "fiya b'un" (fire burn) and the unwavering faith in "Jah" provide a cathartic expression of discontent and a fervent hope for a divinely purified future.

Anthony B - Non-Music, Reggae

Bun Down Soddom

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[Intro] Leave outta Babylon and look to di East Where we can find comfort and peace Trample di mark of di Beast My Lord! [Chorus] Bun dung Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! B'un down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! [Verse 1] Dem wrong, wi dem brain false education Dem wrong, wi all dem false religion Dem wrong, where dem get dem idea from? Ah talk 'bout man fi all married to man Dem wrong, dem try fi capture we motherland Dem wrong, dem bring in dem poli-fiction Dem wrong, introduce dem AIDS pon di land All Rastaman me want yuh to overstand We ah go [Chorus] Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! B'un down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! [Verse 2] Stop, take a look inna di world Bring us education, give to boy and girl Sodomatic all ah worshipin' diamond and pearl Introduce di mark ah di Beast pon di land Woy! Fiya b'un fi di Beast haffi shun Anthony B me haffi sing my song Di Emperor Selassie I di Conquering One HIM is di King, rule from Mount Zion Sing me song The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want He maketh me to lie down in green pasture He leadeth I beside di still water He restoreth my soul He leadeth me in di path of righteousness for his namesake Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil Jah is with me, His rod and I staff, they comfort me Woy yoy! [Chorus] Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah! B'un down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Babylon yuh nah guh live fi see tomorrow! Woy yoy yoy! Woyoy yoy yoy yoy! My Lord! My Lord! [Verse 3] Everyday Babylon sit down and plan Come dem come with wrong invention Nobody hears them, wan fi destroy Jah plan Poison, dem wan poison off di human Rasta, ah di head of I-ration Rasta, nah gi no bad information Rasta, nah guh tek nuh injection Rasta, will always give an helping hand He who dwell in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide and under the shadow of the Almighty I King Selassie I The First Blessing will never get no curse I will say of the Lord Jah Rastafari He is my refuge and my fortress My Jah, Him and I wi jus... Oh oh oh oh oh yeah Lord Woy! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom! Bu'n down Sodom and Gomorrah!

Credits

Writers: Keith Blair
Anthony B

Bun Down Soddom

Bun Down Soddom

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