Bob Marley and the Wailers

More Axe

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More Axe Lyrics

If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down
Ready to cut you down
Sharpened to cut you down
Ready ato cut you down

These are the words of my master
No weak heart shall prosper

And whosoever dig a pit
Shall fall in it [if I so, I so]
And who so ever dig at a pit
Shall fall in it [if I so, I so]
Where dere is no wood
I say the fire goes out
So we'll have to cut you down [you're dry wood]
Without a doubt

These are the words of my master
No weak heart shall prosper

And whosoever dig at a pit
Shall fall in it [if I so, I so]
And whosoever dig at a pit
Shall fall in it [if I so, I so]

If you are a big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down, well sharp
To cut you down
If you are a big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down, well sharp
To cut you down, chop, chop

Submitted by

wailers_564 On Aug 04, 2002

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wailers_564

Submitter

2002-08-04 02:38:56

3 Meanings

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by anthonyh

21y ago

Rasta may appear a marginal and ineffectual force in the "world" but Jah has often used an apparently small and meek voice to shine powerful truth to all peoples.

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by Crass_Adolescent

21y ago

the part "these are the words of my master" is talking about how the slaves had to cut down some tree that was sacred to them. Why did they do it? because their master said to.

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by embiggenator

19y ago

There are more lyrics at the beginning of the song. Something like "White folks said I serve almighty man, Play it smart and not being clever." But it's a bit difficult to pick out exactly was he's saying afterward. I'm pretty sure this song is about how African American's who were kept as slaves will eventually topple the white man through unity, i.e. "If you are a big tree, we are the small axe, sharpened to cut you down...". He also refers to some words of wisdom that his master gave him including "whosoever digith a pit, shall fall in it" implying that slave owners have been digging a pit and are destined to be punished for their actions.

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