Jamaica would forever be his path to great renown
in rural Roots and proverty so rife in Kingston town.
His heritage twixt black and white, at first a cross to bear,
while Mellow Mood was triggered by a father rarely there.
But Trenchtown Rock fired up this boy as music would inspire
and gave him credibility that raised him from the mire.
A Dreamland for a future in the spotlight he'd pursue,
a Cornerstone to build a life of hope from all he knew.
With US broadcasts, he'd delight in R and B and Ska
and, key to give his song appeal, he'd learn to play guitar.
Before too long, he'd Stir it Up and form his backing band -
The Wailers (after much debate), about to rock the land.
His Rasta creed and dreadlocks bore his culture strong and proud
while Simmer Down in reggae style would send a Caution loud
to Rude Boys of the ghettos who engaged in thuggish crime:
"Control your temper" won't you, or you're in for "hotter" time!
Then global fame awaited him, he soon was Riding High
with landmark song that made his name - No Woman (please) No Cry -
and country tours consumed his time with pressure taking hold.
But, on return to Kingston, a new Crisis would unfold.
A tension twixt two warring groups in escalating strife
resulted in a shooting aimed to take this showman's life.
Survival plans would force his hand, Back Out to relocate
to London in self-exile while the threats might then abate.
This Exodus would never stop his creativity;
he knew he had much Work to do so people would feel free.
In Jamming style, he called upon all children to unite
"for life is worth much more than gold," "we all defend the right."
With brief respite from touring, he'd be on the Zion Train,
a mission to get all on board, Wake Up and Live Again
for hue of skin has no import and peace will never reign
until equality is shared, a War will thus remain.
In Africa, his heartland, where he found his Rebel Soul,
his racial bridge would span two worlds with harmony, his goal.
Don't Stand Alone, his clar'on call, the Sun is Shining bright
and Rocking Steady he would chant his words of faith and light.
But in his quest for unity, he erred and failed to heed
when cancer, first detected, would then spread with undue speed.
A Bad Card had been dealt to him but he would carry on,
his message, Is this Love to last, sustained him in his song.
A charismatic man with fans who always Want(ed) More
but, through it all, his wife forgave, preferring to ignore
with love, a firm Foundation, that would only see his best;
she knew the pressures and the pain, unseen by all the rest.
Impassioned by conflicting times and insecurity,
he strove to knock down walls and help the world, with hope, to see
"One Love, one heart, one destiny" would always be our might -
Three Little Birds in song to share: "things gonna be all right."
This Legend of his era, in a life cut far too short,
was lauded for his talent and the peaceful fight he fought.
A Prince of Wails, so honoured as he lay in regal State,
lives on with us, his struggle for love's triumph over hate.
| 
