Lyric discussion by alexandrat 

Cover art for High Tide Or Low Tide lyrics by Bob Marley and the Wailers

My view of the song is a mother praying to God for her child’s protection. The son as well expresses his devotion to God “in high tide or in low tide I’ll be by your side.”

But, I also view it as God blessing and protecting the child due to the passion of the mother’s prayers - or at least this is my interpretation of the line, “He said, I‘ll be by your side.”

Listening to the song with these layers adds even more meaning to such a powerful and moving song.