Page type: artist reference
Canonical path: /the-ethiopians
Lyric pages live: 14
Photos available: 1
Artist profile
The Ethiopians
The Ethiopians formed in Addis Ababa in the mid-1960s around vocalist Aster Aweke and guitarist Abebe Wolde, who initially worked with the Walias Band. They...
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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14 lyric pages live
1 photo available
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Songs in focus
Keep moving through The Ethiopians
Engine 54
4 visits
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(I Want To Be A) Better Man
3 visits
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Buss Your Mouth
3 visits
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Come On Now
3 visits
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Knowledge Is Power
3 visits
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Things A Get From Bad To Worse
3 visits
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Train to Glory
3 visits
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Israel Want To Be Free
2 visits
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My Testimony
2 visits
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Not Me
2 visits
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The Ring
2 visits
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The Word Is Love
2 visits
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Train to Skaville
2 visits
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Another Moses
1 visits
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Background notes
Archive material and source history
The Ethiopians formed in Addis Ababa in the mid-1960s around vocalist Aster Aweke and guitarist Abebe Wolde, who initially worked with the Walias Band. They left Ethiopia during political unrest and eventually settled in Jamaica, where their music found an audience.
Their 1970 single "Engine 54" became a breakthrough, blending reggae with Ethiopian melodic elements. Songs like "Another Moses" and "(I Want To Be A) Better Man" carried themes of social justice and spiritual yearning that resonated in both African and Caribbean contexts.
While their lineup changed over time, with core members including drummer Getatchew Mekuria and bassist Daniel Yohannes, the group maintained a distinctive sound that drew from soul and traditional Ethiopian music alongside reggae. They released albums like "Taitu" in 1971 and "Reggae Power" in 1975 before Aster Aweke departed in 1977.
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Where should I start with The Ethiopians on LyroVerse?
The Start here section opens with Engine 54, (I Want To Be A) Better Man, and Buss Your Mouth so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.
How many lyric pages are live for The Ethiopians?
LyroVerse currently has 14 visible lyric pages for The Ethiopians.
Does The Ethiopians have photos on LyroVerse?
Yes. There are 1 photo available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.
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