Natural Mystic

"Natural Mystic" is a deeply spiritual and prophetic song that serves as the opening track for Bob Marley's seminal 1977 album, Exodus. The song's central theme revolves around the idea of a pervasive, intangible force of change and truth that is sweeping through the world. Marley identifies this force as a "natural mystic," suggesting it is an organic, inherent part of existence, deeply connected to nature and the divine, consistent with Rastafarian beliefs where nature is a manifestation of Jah (God). It is a call to awaken spiritually and to become aware of the profound shifts happening in society and the world at large.

Lyrically, the song is both a warning and a meditation. Phrases like "This could be the first trumpet, might as well be the last" draw on biblical, apocalyptic imagery from the Book of Revelation, signaling a time of great judgment and upheaval. Marley doesn't shy away from the harsh consequences of this change, stating plainly that "Many more will have to suffer, many more will have to die." This isn't a message of despair, but rather a call to "face reality now." It's an urging to abandon illusions and confront the often-painful truths of life, such as social injustice, inequality, and systemic problems. The song's contemplative and somewhat somber tone encourages introspection, urging listeners to listen carefully to the world around them to perceive this mystic truth.

A subtle yet powerful spiritual presence is moving through the world, a 'natural mystic' that can be perceived by those who pay close attention. This feeling signals a significant, perhaps apocalyptic, shift in the state of humanity. It could be the first warning trumpet, or it could just as easily be the last. This impending change will inevitably bring great suffering and death, and the reasons for this are profound and perhaps beyond simple explanation.

The song serves as a solemn acknowledgment that life and circumstances have fundamentally changed. It’s a call to abandon denial and face the current state of the world with honesty. Everyone, without exception, must now confront this new reality. The mystic presence continues its journey, subtly making its presence felt. The lyrics repeat the idea of this inescapable shift, emphasizing that things are not as they once were and that this truth must be faced by all.

This mystic force carries with it a heavy sense of sorrow and doom. The repetition of the lines about suffering and death underscores the gravity of the situation. The singer positions himself as a messenger, observing and reporting this spiritual phenomenon without claiming to have all the answers, as shown by the line, 'don't ask me why.' The song closes by reiterating the pervasiveness of this mystic energy, a constant, underlying current of change that one can feel if they are attuned to it, suggesting a continuous, unfolding prophecy that affects everyone.

"Natural Mystic" was recorded for the album Exodus, which was released on June 3, 1977. The album was famously recorded in London, England, during a period of self-imposed exile for Bob Marley. This exile followed a traumatic assassination attempt on his life in Jamaica on December 3, 1976. This violent event inevitably shaped the tone and themes of the entire album, infusing it with reflections on survival, change, and religious politics.

The album was recorded at Island Studios in London, with production handled by Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Chris Blackwell. The lineup for the album featured the core of The Wailers, including brothers Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass and Carlton Barrett on drums, Tyrone Downie on keyboards, Alvin "Seeco" Patterson on percussion, and the newest member, American-born guitarist Junior Marvin. The iconic backing vocals of the I-Threes (Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt) are also featured. According to producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, an early version of the track was created with a drum machine, which gave it a distinctive "popping sound," before being re-recorded with the full band. The song's placement as the opening track on Exodus sets a contemplative and prophetic tone for what many consider the album that catapulted Marley to international superstardom.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Natural Mystic" are central to its contemplative and hypnotic effect. The song's lyrical structure is not rigidly tied to a complex rhyme scheme; instead, it favors a more natural, prose-like flow that enhances its meditative quality. The key rhyming couplet appears in the opening lines: "There's a natural mystic blowing through the air / If you listen carefully now you will hear," which establishes the theme immediately. The song relies more on assonance and repetition than on a strict end-rhyme pattern.

Rhythmically, the song is a quintessential example of roots reggae, characterized by its slow tempo and the iconic 'one-drop' drum pattern, where the emphasis is on the third beat of the bar. This rhythmic foundation, laid down by Carlton Barrett, creates a lulling, trance-like groove that encourages deep listening and reflection. The interplay between the steady, deliberate musical rhythm and Marley's unhurried, flowing vocal delivery creates a powerful sense of calm foreboding, perfectly matching the song's lyrical content about an unstoppable, mystical force.

Musically and lyrically, "Natural Mystic" employs several techniques to create its haunting and meditative atmosphere.

• Musical Arrangement: The song begins with a slow, atmospheric fade-in, gradually building the soundscape. It's built upon a classic, slow-paced reggae one-drop rhythm, which provides a hypnotic and contemplative foundation. The bassline is deep and pulsating, characteristic of Aston Barrett's style, while the organ adds an ethereal, almost church-like quality, enhancing the song's hymnal feel. Lee "Scratch" Perry noted that an early version used a drum machine, which contributed a unique "popping sound."
• Vocal Delivery: Bob Marley's vocal performance is measured and soulful, conveying a sense of quiet authority and prophetic wisdom rather than overt anger or protest. His delivery is calm but carries a weight of seriousness, drawing the listener in to heed his warning.
• Lyrical Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "There's a natural mystic blowing through the air" acts as a recurring motif, reinforcing the central theme and creating a mantra-like effect. This repetition emphasizes the constant and inescapable presence of this spiritual force.
• Rhetorical Ambiguity: Marley uses phrases like "don't ask me why" and the ambiguous "This could be the first trumpet, might as well be the last." This avoids providing simple answers, instead encouraging listeners to reflect and interpret the meaning for themselves, which adds to the song's timeless and mysterious quality.

"Natural Mystic" serves as the opening track to Exodus (1977), an album widely regarded as a masterpiece and the work that cemented Bob Marley's status as a global superstar. In 1999, Time magazine named Exodus the best album of the 20th century. As the introduction to such a culturally significant album, "Natural Mystic" sets the spiritual and philosophical tone for the entire work. The album itself was a commercial success, receiving gold certifications in the US, UK, and Canada and remaining in the UK charts for 56 consecutive weeks.

The song's title and themes have become part of the broader cultural lexicon associated with Marley. The term "natural mystic" is now often used to describe Marley himself, reflecting his image as a spiritual, prophetic figure. The song's themes of spiritual awakening and facing reality have ensured its enduring relevance, resonating in times of social and political upheaval. Although not released as a single, the track is a cornerstone of his discography. A posthumous compilation album was even titled Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On (1995), demonstrating the song's iconic status and its role in defining Marley's legacy.

"Natural Mystic" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its prophetic message.

• The Natural Mystic: The central metaphor of the song is the "natural mystic blowing through the air." This represents a universal, spiritual truth or a wave of consciousness that is both natural and divine. It is 'natural' because it's an inherent part of the world, and 'mystic' because it is a spiritual force that can only be perceived intuitively, by those who "listen carefully." The air serves as a metaphor for the intangible and pervasive nature of this energy.
• The Trumpet: The line "This could be the first trumpet, might as well be the last" is a direct biblical allusion to the Book of Revelation, where trumpets signal the apocalypse and the end times. This imagery injects a sense of urgency and gravity, suggesting that humanity is at a critical turning point and facing a period of judgment.
• Facing Reality: The call to "face reality now" is a metaphor for spiritual and social awakening. It symbolizes the act of shedding illusions and confronting uncomfortable truths about the world and oneself, a necessary step to navigate the changes heralded by the mystic.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the title itself, "Natural Mystic." Its repetition throughout the track serves as a central motif, drilling home the song's core concept. Each time the line "There's a natural mystic blowing through the air" is sung, it reinforces the idea of a constant, pervasive spiritual presence that cannot be ignored. This repetition functions like a mantra, inviting the listener to tune into this subtle frequency that Marley is describing.

Another key recurring idea is the inevitability of suffering as part of this great change. The lines "Many more will have to suffer / Many more will have to die" are repeated to emphasize the gravity of the prophecy. This isn't a casual observation but a solemn warning about the harsh realities that accompany profound transformation. The repetition ensures the listener understands that the mystical shift is not necessarily gentle or easy, but a powerful and disruptive force. Together, these recurring elements structure the song around the dual concepts of a subtle spiritual awakening and the stark, real-world consequences that follow.