Satta Massagana – English Lyrics

• By: The Abyssinians
• Album: By The Rivers Of Babylon: Timeless Hymns of Rastafari

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the spiritual heart of reggae by learning the Amharic and Jamaican patois in 'Satta Massagana'. This iconic song by The Abyssinians is not just a musical masterpiece; it's a cultural statement and a prayerful hymn that offers a gateway into the history and beliefs of the Rastafarian movement. Discovering the meaning behind its powerful lyrics will deepen your appreciation for one of reggae's most important anthems.

[English]

There is a land, far far away

Where there's no night, there's only day

Look into the book of life, and you will see

That there's a land, far far away

That there's a land, far far away

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

Sit upon His throne and He rules us all

Look into the book of life, and you will see

That He rules us all

That He rules us all

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

Sit upon His throne and He rules us all

Look into the book of life, and you will see

That He rules us all

That He rules us all

There is a land, far far away

Where there's no night, there's only day

Look into the book of life, and you will see

That there's a land, far far away

That there's a land, far far away

Satta Massagana

Ahamlack, Ulaghize

Satta Massagana

Ahamlack, Ulaghize

Ulaghize, Ulaghize

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
land /lænd/ A1	noun - the part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water, as opposed to the sea or the air
far /fɑːr/ A1	adjective - distant
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - the period from sunrise to sunset
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to direct one's gaze towards someone or something or in a specified direction
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death
see /siː/ A1	verb - perceive with the eyes; discern visually
King /kɪŋ/ A1	noun - a man who is the supreme ruler of a country
Lord /lɔːrd/ A2	noun - someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.
sit /sɪt/ A1	verb - adopt or be in a position in which one's weight is supported by one's buttocks rather than one's feet
throne /θroʊn/ B1	noun - a ceremonial chair for a sovereign, bishop, or other high-ranking person
rule /ruːl/ B1	verb - exercise ultimate power or authority over (a country or people).
book /bʊk/ A1	noun - a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers.

Key Grammar Structures

• There is a land, far far away

  ➔ Existential "there is/are"

  ➔ This structure introduces the existence of something. "There is" indicates a singular noun ("a land") is present.

• Where there's no night, there's only day

  ➔ Ellipsis/Contraction ('there's')

  ➔ "There's" is a contraction of "there is". The line also demonstrates ellipsis as the second clause omits "there is", understanding it from the first clause.

• Look into the book of life, and you will see

  ➔ Imperative mood + coordinating conjunction (and) + future simple (will)

  ➔ "Look" is in the imperative mood, giving a command. "And" connects this to a clause in the future simple tense ("you will see") expressing a consequence.

• The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

  ➔ Possessive (implied) / Apposition

  ➔ This phrase implies possession - King ruling over other Kings. It is also appositional in that "Lord of Lords" is another description of the same entity.

• Sit upon His throne and He rules us all

  ➔ Third-person singular present tense (rules); Preposition of place ('upon')

  ➔ "Rules" is in the third-person singular present tense because the subject is "He". "Upon" indicates the position where someone sits (formal context).