“Corner Stone” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
The symbolism behind the song.
Greetings Superstars!
One of my favorite Bob Marley & The Wailers songs is “Corner Stone,” which was on their 1970 album, Soul Rebels.
What is a cornerstone? According to Wikipedia:
“A cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.”
Symbolically, a cornerstone represents something that you can depend on. A cornerstone is steadfast and strong—able to withstand anything to lend support. It could represent a person, an ideal, or a quality.
References to the word go back to the Bible, which called Jesus the Cornerstone, or rosh pinnah. And a couple of centuries ago, building owners hollowed out their cornerstone and placed important documents or tokens inside—like a very serious time capsule!
In the song, Bob Marley wants to be noticed, singing: “Don’t you pick and refuse me, ‘cause the things people refuse are the things they should choose.” (full lyrics below)
Who hasn’t felt like that? I know that I’ve been overlooked and underestimated—it’s a hollow knock to anyone’s self-esteem. Take a moment to listen to the rawness in Marley’s voice:
Corner Stone
By Bob Marley & The Wailers
The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone-a sing it brother The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone You're a builder, baby Here I am, a stone Don't you pick and refuse me 'Cause the things people refuse Are the things they should choose Do you hear me? Hear what I say! Stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone-a tell me why The stone that the builder refuse, yeah! Will always be the head cornerstone Here I am, baby I am, a builder's stone Don't you pick and refuse me, listen The tings people refuse Are the things they should use Do you hear me Hear what I say The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone The stone that dem builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone
I always thought of “Cornerstone” as a love song about a man trying to get a love interest’s attention, begging them to look more deeply at his potential. But I could be wrong—leave a comment if you have another point of view to share.
Where are you a cornerstone in someone’s life? Who is a cornerstone in yours?
This week, I hope that you give those questions some thought, because I have a feeling the answers are pretty important—and possibly surprising!