babylon — Patois Dictionary

English Definition

The corrupt system of oppression — police, government, or unjust authority.

Babylon system a hold di youth dem down.

Borrowed from Rastafari theology referencing biblical Babylon. Ubiquitous in roots reggae from Bob Marley to Burning Spear.

"Babylon system a hold di youth dem down."

A: What happened to the music? B: The police shut down the sound system.
"A: Wah happen to di music? B: Babylon lock off di sound."

So she was explaining to me that she was about to call the police so that they'd take me to jail.
"“Then she a-show I seh well right now she a-go call Babylon bwoy dem ofe carry I go gaol.”"

Yes Sir, even in Buckingham Palace. We have to smoke marijuana! The healing of the nation needs to be smoked ... Hey man, I'm going to leave before the cops get here, you know what I mean?
"“All inna Buckingham Palace Iyah. Herb haffi burn! De healin' ah de nation haffi burn ... Rasta, I an I ah go leave before de Babylon cum pan de seen, Zeen.”"

Down with the oppressive government!
"Bun dung Babylon!"

… Blacks shouldn't live in this oppressive system. Don't you see? We have to return to our land, back to Africa. Blacks won't get any power. There's no justice in this oppressive system.
"“[...] Black man can't live in a Babylon yu nah see it, we must return to our own land, back to Africa ; the Black man won't get no power , no justice inna Babylon [...]”"