Pressure, whether physical or psychic in nature, can be a deeply detrimental thing to both the mind & body, and every person has their limit; for one reason or another, right as the Wailers were hitting the absolute apex of their popularity, Bunny Wailer decided that he’d had enough and dipped out mid-tour, furthering the already begun process of self-immolation that was the trio’s demise. It’s not like Bunny (born Neville O’Riley Livingston) checked out of the music business altogether, but he preferred staying close to home (i.e. on the island), thus, the life of a globetrotting superstar held little, if any, allure to him. Where it may have been rather simple for Peter Tosh to butt heads directly with Marley, the story was a bit more complex for Bunny, as the two had been raised as siblings going all the way back to St. Ann’s Bay; forgive the analysis, but I suspect the depth of their relationship, even in the face of all their disagreements, is part of what kept Bunny from really competing. That being said, nobody can wag their finger at this album, his first full length release as a solo artist and, in my opinion, his best. The religious intellectualisms found within this track, perhaps of personal relevance for him, are apt in these tough times, “…no more worrying, worrying and pains; no more crying, shedding tears like rain…so bide up, with reasoning, humble thyself and I'll be near thee; bide up, with reasoning, humble thyself and I'll protect thee…” There is sage advice in those words, and the pursuit of humility may have served Bunny quite well, having now outlived his legendary peers by almost three decades.
