"If you are a big tree," the song goes, "We are a small axe.  Sharp and ready to cut you down." 

The Axe and the Tree
In "Small Axe," an early Bob Marley song, he combines the a Jamaican proverb and teachings from the Book of Proverbs to send a message that at once issues a warning and provides instructions for living a good life.

In the title and chorus Bob alludes to a small axe and big tree, which I've read is a reference to a Jamaican proverb, the origins of which, I cannot find.  At the time, many have noted, was a thinly veiled reference to Bob's sound and record label at the time coming after the established and better heeled "big THREE" record labels in Jamaica at the time. 

Bob challenged the established order and made a new sound and new scene.  He did this with few resources, strong determination, and the unfettered belief that he was doing the Lord's work.  The scene painted here is clear.  He may as well be Frederick Douglass reminding us to challenge accepted standards in order to make the world better, that without struggle there can be no progress. 

The Guidance of a Higher Power
Bob also invokes the sanctity of these lessons coming from a higher power with, "These are the words of my Master," reminding us to consider that there is something larger than ourselves.  Perhaps God, Allah, Jehov-h, or the Great Spirit.  Under that premise, he warns (from Proverbs 26-27) that "whosoever diggeth a pit, shall fall in it, bury in it."  This is instructive, suggesting that you reap what you sow.  He also reminds the evil man that by "working inequity" he will only "achieve vanity," from Proverbs 22:8.

I take these to mean that someone or something or the universe has created us and will reward us for our acts on this earth.   If I accept this, then it's required that I accept proverbs like "do unto others" and the purpose of my life becomes to increase my own lot by increasing that of others - family, friends, strangers.

The Tradition in Action
So that's it.  The small axe tradition teaches me and hopefully is relevant to you.  It's what I strive to achieve in my life and approach to work and coffee.  I won't explicitly draw the lines between the tradition and my approach to coffee.  I think it's clear.  God willing I will be successful.

The Lyrics of Small Axe by Bob Marley
The entire lyrics are below.  Read them, listen to the song, and find your own meaning.

Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever?
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah, Jah
I-dureth for-I-ver

So if you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (real sharp)
To cut you down

These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, fall in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (... fall in it)

If you are the big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe, sharp and ready
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down

These are the words
Of my master, tellin' me that
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it, uh, bury in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall bury in it, uh (... bury in it)

Where there is no wood,
I say the fire go out
So we'll have to cut you down - you're dry wood,
Without a doubt,
If you are the big, big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
Sharpened ...