Cover art for Roots by Bob Marley & The Wailers
19771 viewer10.6K views

Roots Lyrics

Root, natty, roots
Dread, kinky, dread
I and I are the roots


Some are leaf (shoo-be-doo)
Some are branches (shoo-be-doo)
I and I are the roots

Some are dry wood (shoo-be-doo)
For the fire (shoo-be-doo)
Whyo, look at that

They need a dry wood (shoo-be-doo)
To cook their raw food (shoo-be-doo)
Whyo, look at that
Got to survive in this man-mania downpression
Got to survive in iration

Mi say, root, natty, root
Dread, kinky, dread
I and I are the roots

Some are wolf (shoo-be-doo)
In sheep clothing (shoo-be-doo)
Whyo, look at that
Many are called (shoo-be-doo)
A few are chosen (shoo-be-doo)
Whyo, look at that

Nothing they can do (shoo-be-doo)
To separate I and I (shoo-be-doo)
From the love of our Father
You see, blood is thicker than water
Whyo, look at that
Got to survive in the ghetto
Got to survive, people don't fret, no

We got a root, natty, root
Dread, kinky, dread
I and I are the roots

Root natty
Dread kinky
I and I are the roots

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Genius Annotation

The song “Roots” by Bob Marley expresses the importance of staying connected to one’s roots and remaining true to oneself despite external pressures and influences. The lyrics symbolize the strength and resilience of the Rastafari culture and community.

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Credits
Release Date
1977
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