My Love Affair With Bob Marley

I have an inexplicable connection to Bob Marley.

Magnolia Pictures
Bob Marley, as seen in Kevin Macdonald's documentary.

True, he is a fellow Jamaican and should be a national hero as far as I'm concerned. But what I mean is, growing up, I was obsessed with his music. I had every album of his saved on a cassette tape (yep, just dated myself). I skipped school on several occasions to stop by his Hope Rd., studio where they hosted birthday celebrations in his memory - thank goodness I'm too old to be punished for those transgressions!
I later learned that my mom, once a Rastafarian, served as an usher at his funeral. My obsession has spilled over into adulthood, and I scoff at those who think Legend is his only album - he released eleven albums and Legend was among the albums released posthumously. So in honor of this weekend's release of the Marley documentary, which I encourage every one to go see, we highlight images of Ghana and Zimbabwe, countries Marley loved, and often paid tribute to in his music.

Bob Marley Studio in Ghana prior to the fire of 2010

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Volta-Ghana

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Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square - Accra, Ghana

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Victoria Falls National Park – Zimbabwe

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The bridge spanning the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe

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 Zimbabwe by Bob Marley

Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny, 
And in this judgement there is no partiality. 
So arm in arms, with arms, we'll fight this little struggle, 
'Cause that's the only way we can overcome our little trouble. 

Brother, you're right, you're right, 
You're right, you're right, you're so right! 
We gon' fight (we gon' fight), we'll have to fight (we gon' fight), 
We gonna fight (we gon' fight), fight for our rights! 

Natty Dread it in-a (Zimbabwe); 
Set it up in (Zimbabwe); 
Mash it up-a in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Africans a-liberate (Zimbabwe), yeah. 

No more internal power struggle; 
We come together to overcome the little trouble. 
Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionary, 
'Cause I don't want my people to be contrary. 

And, brother, you're right, you're right, 
You're right, you're right, you're so right! 
We'll 'ave to fight (we gon' fight), we gonna fight (we gon' fight) 
We'll 'ave to fight (we gon' fight), fighting for our rights! 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/zimbabwe_20021820.html ] 
Mash it up in-a (Zimbabwe); 
Natty trash it in-a (Zimbabwe); 
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
I'n'I a-liberate Zimbabwe. 

(Brother, you're right,) you're right, 
You're right, you're right, you're so right! 
We gon' fight (we gon' fight), we'll 'ave to fight (we gon' fight), 
We gonna fight (we gon' fight), fighting for our rights! 

To divide and rule could only tear us apart; 
In everyman chest, mm - there beats a heart. 
So soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries; 
And I don't want my people to be tricked by mercenaries. 

Brother, you're right, you're right, 
You're right, you're right, you're so right! 
We'll 'ave to fight (we gon' fight), we gonna fight (we gon' fight), 
We'll 'ave to fight (we gon' fight), fighting for our rights! 

Natty trash it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Mash it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Natty dub it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe). 

Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe); 
Every man got a right to decide his own destiny.

Via