African Herbsman

you said it perfectly. i cant believe the lack of posts on this messageboard. I think also the african herbsman might possibly be a medicine man... possibly.

the part "With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they had to part)" is adopted from the richie havens song indian rope man which by the way also is a really cool song..but the words are a little different i suppose...

"Oh twinklin' V" is referring to the stars or a star formation that can be used to navigate the night. "Can't see the right roads when the street are paved" is referring to the changing times and possibly to street lamps that interfere with navigating the stars. "The old slave-mill might grind slow" is referring to the fact that times are changing and because slavery is abolished there is less labor at the mill. "But it grinds fine, yeah" saying that it will suit the slave mans purpose but at a price now. Maybe the slaves built the mill.

"African herbsman, why linger on?" Here Marley is asking I believe the Rastafarians why stay in Jamaica and not move to Africa? Marcus Garvey the originator of the Rastafarian religion started a movement to move back to Africa. "Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on" "Retired slave man will look with a scorn" "With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they have to part)" talking of the transplanted heart my interpretation of this is the slave man took the slaves hearts, and Rastafarians don't believe in organ donation. "Yes how quick they have to part" refers to the emancipation proclamation.

"The remembrance of today" "Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow" (... how quick they have to ...) Oh (... part), oh yeahs This refers to when the song was written the Black man was coming up in the world and the oppressors would have sorrow for what they did for generations to come.

"African herbsman, seize your time" this is referring to the Rastafarians exodus to Africa Marley is in effect telling his people it's time to go. "I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind" I'm takin' losses down thru my life Down thru my life, yeah (yes, how quick they we to part) (... how quick we have to part) "Yes how quick we have to part" has changed from how quick they have to part. In effect saying we are parting way's with the slave men to Africa.

One Love

Changed Lee to V, road to roads, Gree-ti-eth to Retired(Read interpertation), Had to have, Losser to losses( because it is said like it is spelled) and they to we( it is said both ways in the song)

"Oh twinklin' V" is referring to the stars or a star formation that can be used to navigate the night. "Can't see the right roads when the street are paved" is referring to the changing times and possibly to street lamps that interfere with navigating the stars. "The old slave-mill might grind slow" is referring to the fact that times are changing and because slavery is abolished there is less labor at the mill. "But it grinds fine, yeah" saying that it will suit the slave mans purpose but at a price now. Maybe the slaves built the mill.

"African herbsman, why linger on?" Here Marley is asking I believe the Rastafarians why stay in Jamaica and not move to Africa? Marcus Garvey the originator of the Rastafarian religion started a movement to move back to Africa. "Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on" "Retired slave man will look with a scorn" "With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they have to part)" talking of the transplanted heart my interpretation of this is the slave man took the slaves hearts, and Rastafarians don't believe in organ donation. "Yes how quick they have to part" refers to the emancipation proclamation.

"The remembrance of today" "Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow" (... how quick they have to ...) Oh (... part), oh yeahs This refers to when the song was written the Black man was coming up in the world and the oppressors would have sorrow for what they did for generations to come.

"African herbsman, seize your time" this is referring to the Rastafarians exodus to Africa Marley is in effect telling his people it's time to go. "I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind" I'm takin' losses down thru my life Down thru my life, yeah (yes, how quick they we to part) (... how quick we have to part) "Yes how quick we have to part" has changed from how quick they have to part. In effect saying we are parting way's with the slave men to Africa.

One Love

Changed Lee to V, road to roads, Gree-ti-eth to Retired(Read interpertation), Had to have, Losser to losses( because it is said like it is spelled) and they to we( it is said both ways in the song)

On top of bob marley being one of my favorite artists... this is one of my favorite songs by him. I'm surprised that I'm going to be the frist to comment about this song. I got from this song that he was singing about how no matter how bad something is at the moment... you need to keep your faith in something that will keep you going. "just concentrate,'cause your heaven lives on" with guidence hes saying that, "sure, you may have it rough, and sure today is still going to be remembered tomorrow and may still bring the pain, but love life."The ache lessens through time. ah, thats it. sorry if this doesnt make sense.

Not really knowing much about Bob Marley, but the African herbsman could be about how they use the psychedelic plants that grow there to escape reality.

the "psychedelic plants that grow there" would be Marijuana, and its not hallucinogenic. On that note, yes, they did smoke it to relax.

The African herbman might have been Bobs weed dealer.

one of my favorite songs by the great Bob Marley

lol you people think you know what your talking about WatermelonOfJoy and Fred123 know whats up