Monday, February 26, 2007

Hall Of Kings


Hall Of Kings


On a winter afternoon I take another journey to JAH
Settled in my room with reggae, rocksteady and ska
The vehicle I take is the riddim of a one drop vibration
Sounds from stereo speakers has me hold a meditation
Thundering baseline carries me up to the highest peaks
Of Holy Mount Zion, where the earth and sky meet
Beneath the rainbow banner of JAH the Most High
I behold wonders visible only to the mind's eye
A joyful sound comes from beyond golden doors
Thrust open to reveal thrones on polished floors
And an angel tells me that this is the Hall of Kings
Seated are all those who have done righteous things
Here I see David and Solomon, and Selassie I too
But all are kings here, the angel says, "Even you"
The whole room is a stage to give thanks and praise
Singers and players of instruments perform and amaze
Among them are the legends that have come and gone
Who sang of JAH glory and fought against Babylon
Standing there, I hear the prophet Bob Marley declare
There's a Natural Mystic blowing through the air
Peter Tosh lights up a spliff and speaks about Creation
Calling for Equal Rights and African liberation
To The Foundation sings crown prince Dennis Brown
As Jacob Miller chants 80,000 Careless Ethiopians down
I see Garnett Silk seated with his mother in the corner
Smiling, I see the Lord watching Over His Shoulder
Just arrived is Joseph "Culture" Hill, the Humble African
He beckons me to come on over and sing along with him
The spirit moves me to join in the roots music reunion
Before the Presence of JAH in the saints' communion
Sound fades, and I leave with a message infused in my soul
Knowing that this music is life, God's true words that console
End of track brings me back to the world of man, and in my hand
I'm sipping tea with milk and honey from the Promised Land
I prepare another tune to play, soaking in the wisdom it brings
And ride off again to reason with the elders in the Hall of Kings

JMC
2/25/07
(c) 2007