“Indian Rope Man” was originally written and recorded by Richie Havens in 1969 and covered by Julie Driscoll and her pals later that year. Two years after that, Bob Marley re-envisioned it as “African Herbsman” He kept many of the lyrics and reggae-fied the music.

Both songs are about the ability of traditional, perhaps mystical native people to perceive truth and falsehood, and how they lead more ‘real’ lives than others. In the Marley version, with its use of the word ‘Herb" in the title suggests that this perception comes from the use of marijuana. The indian in the original gets his perception from his religious beliefs. – Mike O'Brien