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Babyface
Hey guys! I had a question about one of the lyrics in the song "Elevation" on ATYCLB.
It's the part where Bono sings "I and I in the sky, you make me feel like I could fly, so high, elevation!"
When I first heard the song and didn't consult the lyrics, I assumed that he was singing "Higher than the sky". Later, after closer examination of the CDs printed lyrics, I saw that he was actually singing "I and I". I dismissed it as a fun play on words, although I still felt that Elevation was a great spiritual AND soulful song (as many U2 songs are).
Well, a couple of days ago, I decided to do a little research on Bob Marley and his spiritual beliefs. I've really gotten into listening to the Bob Marley Legend compilation recently. A friend gave it to me for my birthday and I've enjoyed it immensely! I love the way Marley weaves spirituality into many of the songs he sings. Being a Christian, I felt (and still feel) that many of his lyrics rang true to me, even though I wasn't sure of his religious affiliation. This got me interested in looking on the internet to see what he believed and I found that he was a Rastafarian.
I admit I am still very ignorant of the subject, but I was fascinated by the similarities it had to Christianity. For instance they believe that Jesus Christ was the "fullness of God" and that he brings redemption to his people, etc. etc. BUT they also believed that Babylon is the white oppresive government that enslaved the African people and that one day a king will come who will return his people to Zion (Ethiopia). They felt that this prophecy was fulfilled or partially fulfilled when Ras Tafari was coronated King of Ethiopia in 1930, thereby being referred to as "Emperor Haile Selassie I, conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of the Kings of Ethopia". This king became a prophetic and messianic figure for the religion. They also believe that marijuana is a spiritual herb and that when you smoke it God will reveal himself to you and you'll also have revelation of Ras Tafari. Apparently, there are no official leaders of this movement and everyone just kind of takes care of themselves and seeks to love God and people (I guess).
I know I'm probably butchering what true Rastafarianism is, so if there are any Rastafarians out there, please feel free to correct me! I'm just basing my facts on a couple of articles i've read.
Back to U2: One of the terms in Rastafari is "I and I". I and I is suppose to symbolize "oneness". It refers to God being in all people and all of "the congregation" being in communal unity with God. When I read this, I immediately thought of the lyrics to "Elevation".
What genius!! Once again, years later, I feel like I get another piece of a U2 lyrical puzzle. Just when you think that a lyric is a "throw away", you find out that it packs more punch than you knew about.
So..... am reaching here? Is this a true connection or is it my imagination? Was the lyric intentional or am I not seeing something else? Any thoughts?
If there is a connection, what do you think the deeper meaning could be? what are they trying to say? I would love to hear feedback on it. I believe that some of the band are Christians (from lyrics and interviews they've made) and not Rastafarian, but what point do you think they were trying to make?
Thanks for listening.
Sorry this post is lengthier than I wanted it to be.
It's the part where Bono sings "I and I in the sky, you make me feel like I could fly, so high, elevation!"
When I first heard the song and didn't consult the lyrics, I assumed that he was singing "Higher than the sky". Later, after closer examination of the CDs printed lyrics, I saw that he was actually singing "I and I". I dismissed it as a fun play on words, although I still felt that Elevation was a great spiritual AND soulful song (as many U2 songs are).
Well, a couple of days ago, I decided to do a little research on Bob Marley and his spiritual beliefs. I've really gotten into listening to the Bob Marley Legend compilation recently. A friend gave it to me for my birthday and I've enjoyed it immensely! I love the way Marley weaves spirituality into many of the songs he sings. Being a Christian, I felt (and still feel) that many of his lyrics rang true to me, even though I wasn't sure of his religious affiliation. This got me interested in looking on the internet to see what he believed and I found that he was a Rastafarian.
I admit I am still very ignorant of the subject, but I was fascinated by the similarities it had to Christianity. For instance they believe that Jesus Christ was the "fullness of God" and that he brings redemption to his people, etc. etc. BUT they also believed that Babylon is the white oppresive government that enslaved the African people and that one day a king will come who will return his people to Zion (Ethiopia). They felt that this prophecy was fulfilled or partially fulfilled when Ras Tafari was coronated King of Ethiopia in 1930, thereby being referred to as "Emperor Haile Selassie I, conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of the Kings of Ethopia". This king became a prophetic and messianic figure for the religion. They also believe that marijuana is a spiritual herb and that when you smoke it God will reveal himself to you and you'll also have revelation of Ras Tafari. Apparently, there are no official leaders of this movement and everyone just kind of takes care of themselves and seeks to love God and people (I guess).
I know I'm probably butchering what true Rastafarianism is, so if there are any Rastafarians out there, please feel free to correct me! I'm just basing my facts on a couple of articles i've read.
Back to U2: One of the terms in Rastafari is "I and I". I and I is suppose to symbolize "oneness". It refers to God being in all people and all of "the congregation" being in communal unity with God. When I read this, I immediately thought of the lyrics to "Elevation".
What genius!! Once again, years later, I feel like I get another piece of a U2 lyrical puzzle. Just when you think that a lyric is a "throw away", you find out that it packs more punch than you knew about.
So..... am reaching here? Is this a true connection or is it my imagination? Was the lyric intentional or am I not seeing something else? Any thoughts?
If there is a connection, what do you think the deeper meaning could be? what are they trying to say? I would love to hear feedback on it. I believe that some of the band are Christians (from lyrics and interviews they've made) and not Rastafarian, but what point do you think they were trying to make?
Thanks for listening.
Sorry this post is lengthier than I wanted it to be.