1966
LION OF JUDAH * BUSTERS ALL STARS * BLUE BEAT 359 * UK
If, like me, you are not familiar with the bible, and therefore much of the archaic and colourful imagery used in many reggae songs; here is an outline of the biblical reference to the 'Lion of Judah'. While to some the lion is a traditional symbol of King David and, by extension, of the city he founded as his capital, Jerusalem, it is also, apparently, Jacob's blessing on Judah, from Genesis 49: 8: Judah, thee shall thy brethren praise; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; thy father's sons shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, as long as men come to Shiloh; and unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ***'s colt unto the choice vine; he washeth his garments in wine, and his vesture in the blood of grapes; 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. There you have it, I hope this clears the matter up.