If you have read the lyrics on the internet you have been mislead. If you have heard the answer to the meaning behind the incorrect lyrics you have been mislead.
To the best of my research here is why I can say the lyrics are not “Stole Marcus Garvey for rights”.
1) I listened to the song! Bob speaks very clearly in all versions I could find, especially on the Exodus album. He says “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice”
2) I listened to the song! Rita and the I-Threes clearly repeat Bobs lyrics and also say “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice”
3) I read the lyrics inside the album cover. The lyrics are printed very clearly, “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice”
4) The explainations for the case “Stole Marcus Garvey for rights” declare that the USA African Americans used him to gain civil rights in USA. None of the Civil Rights movements use Marcus Garveys /Garvey-ism to help build cases. Marcus Garvey/ Garvey-ism was about Repatriating Africans to Africa. He never wanted to fight for African Rights in the USA. In fact he met with the leader of the KKK to help get the USA to deport all blacks back to Africa and found Liberia. He actually tried to get CalvinCoolridge to have FDR add this as an amendment to the “New Deal” policy. Most Civil rights leaders condemn Marcus Garvey for his attempts to do this. Malcom X “did” preach about Marcus Garvey but only because he also wanted to Repatriate Africans to Africa. No one used Marcus Garvey to regain rights in USA! Do you really think Bob Marley is condeming the USA African Americans for attempting to earn Civil Rights?
If you have read the lyrics on the internet you have been mislead. If you have heard the answer to the meaning behind the incorrect lyrics you have been mislead.
To the best of my research here is why I can say the lyrics are not “Stole Marcus Garvey for rights”. 1) I listened to the song! Bob speaks very clearly in all versions I could find, especially on the Exodus album. He says “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice”
2) I listened to the song! Rita and the I-Threes clearly repeat Bobs lyrics and also say “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice” 3) I read the lyrics inside the album cover. The lyrics are printed very clearly, “Sold Marcus Garvey for rice” 4) The explainations for the case “Stole Marcus Garvey for rights” declare that the USA African Americans used him to gain civil rights in USA. None of the Civil Rights movements use Marcus Garveys /Garvey-ism to help build cases. Marcus Garvey/ Garvey-ism was about Repatriating Africans to Africa. He never wanted to fight for African Rights in the USA. In fact he met with the leader of the KKK to help get the USA to deport all blacks back to Africa and found Liberia. He actually tried to get CalvinCoolridge to have FDR add this as an amendment to the “New Deal” policy. Most Civil rights leaders condemn Marcus Garvey for his attempts to do this. Malcom X “did” preach about Marcus Garvey but only because he also wanted to Repatriate Africans to Africa. No one used Marcus Garvey to regain rights in USA! Do you really think Bob Marley is condeming the USA African Americans for attempting to earn Civil Rights?