Quotation:
“In Rastafarian terms, the title 'King Alpha' refers to
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_selassie.htm>
Emperor
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_selassie.htm>
Haile Selassie I (identified with the Almighty God
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_jah.htm> Jah
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_rastafari.htm>
Rastafari), and is often used in conjunction with the name 'Queen Omega'
referring to the Emperor's consort Empress Woizero Menen Asfaw.
See for example the following songs:
'
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/lyrics_dennis_alcapone_-_alp
ha_and_omega.htm> Alpha and Omega' (Dennis Alcapone)
'
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/lyrics_prince_far_i_-_blackm
an_land.htm> Blackman Land' (Prince Far I)
'
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/lyrics_melodians_-_rivers_of
_babylon.htm> Rivers Of Babylon' (Melodians)”
Source: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_a
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/key_ideas_-_a&o.htm> &o.htm
The page deals with Rastafarian thoughts and concepts.
I guess, that explains the word change.
Many greetings
Patrick
Patrick Frölicher
D-255, 1st floor
Defence Colony
New Delhi 110 024
India
+91 - (0)11 - 309 333 17
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-----Original Message-----
From: Members of the Society for Caribbean Studies based in UK
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracey Skelton
Sent: Dienstag, 19. Oktober 2004 18:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: King Alpha
Interestingly in other more 'hymn-like' versions of Rivers of Babylon
that I
have heard they sing - 'How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange
land?'.
So I woner if King Alpha is a 'Jamaicanism"?
Tracey
Quoting Nigel Bolland <[log in to unmask]>:
> Dear Caribbeanists,
> In the song "Rivers of Babylon" which is heard in "The Harder They
> Come," there is a line, "How can we sing King Alpha song in a strange
> land" - who was King Alpha? I'm told by a reliable expert that in
Psalms
> 137, where there is reference to the Rivers of Babylon, there is no
> mention of King Alpha, so where does he come from?
> Thanks for any suggestions,
> Nigel Bolland
>
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