Jah Live
Lucky Dube · Prisoner [1990]
[Chorus:]
Jah live Jah children
Let Rastas never die
When everything is going right
They forget about your presents
But when the tables turn upside down
They know that you're there
To my mom who taught me
That you're always there
I wrote this little
Song of praise
Now I'm gonna sing
[Chorus]
The Rastaman call him Jah
Some people call him Allah
English man call Him God
But he is one
We may have different names
To call him, but he cares
For everyone that's why I
Wrote this song
Jah live Jah children
Let Rastas never die
When everything is going right
They forget about your presents
But when the tables turn upside down
They know that you're there
To my mom who taught me
That you're always there
I wrote this little
Song of praise
Now I'm gonna sing
[Chorus]
The Rastaman call him Jah
Some people call him Allah
English man call Him God
But he is one
We may have different names
To call him, but he cares
For everyone that's why I
Wrote this song
Jah Live
Lucky Dube's 'Jah Live' stands as a cornerstone of South African house music, released on the 1990 album *Prisoner*. The track exemplifies the genre's fusion of gospel vocals with danceable rhythms, establishing Dube as a pivotal figure in the region's spiritual and musical landscape. With its infectious melody and uplifting message, the song became an anthem for the township house movement, influencing countless subsequent artists who sought to blend religious devotion with modern electronic production. Its enduring popularity highlights the song's ability to transcend cultural boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in the specific sonic textures of its era.