Haile Selassie addresses the League of Nations in Geneve, 1936,
appealing to the international community following the invasion of Ethiopia
THE STORY BEHIND THE ALBUM
Haile Selassie: From Invasion to Exile
In 1935, Ethiopia was invaded by Fascist Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, marking one of the most significant acts of aggression in the lead-up to the Second World War. Emperor Haile Selassie initially led the resistance, taking a stand against the invading forces as they advanced into his country.
As the situation worsened and the capital fell, Selassie made the difficult decision to leave Ethiopia in 1936. His aim was not surrender, but to appeal directly to the League of Nations and the international community, seeking support against the invasion.
In Geneva, Selassie delivered a powerful and historic speech, warning that the failure to act against aggression in Ethiopia would have consequences far beyond his own country. Although his appeal was ultimately unsuccessful in stopping the occupation, it became one of the defining moments of international diplomacy in the twentieth century.
After his appeal, Selassie came to Britain, where he lived in exile in The City of Bath for five years.
The Bath Years
During his years in exile in Bath, Emperor Haile Selassie lived at Fairfield House, far from his homeland yet steadfast in purpose. In this quiet English city, he continued his campaign for Ethiopia’s freedom, maintaining diplomatic ties and holding firm to the hope of return.
Though removed from the centre of events, his presence in Bath carried global significance. These years of exile became a period of endurance and resolve.
In 1941, with the support of Allied forces, Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia and reclaimed his throne, ending five years of exile.
Why This Story Matters Today
Although Emperor In Exile tells a story from the late 1930s, the themes it explores still resonate strongly today. The years Haile Selassie spent living in Bath were marked by exile, resistance and the struggle of a nation to defend its sovereignty — ideas that remain deeply relevant in the modern world.
Several songs on the album reflect these continuing themes.
The track “Today It’s Us, Tomorrow You” draws directly from Selassie’s warning to the League of Nations following the invasion of Ethiopia — a powerful statement about the global consequences of ignoring aggression. Its message resonates strongly today, recalling appeals made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the international community after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The track “Our Country’s Not For Sale” is inspired by Benito Mussolini’s attempts to make a deal with Haile Selassie, during the Italian invasion of 1935–36. The song reflects Selassie’s refusal to compromise his nation’s sovereignty or allow Ethiopia to be treated as a commodity to be traded, occupied or controlled. While rooted in this historical moment, the message echoes contemporary debates about territorial power and influence, including discussions surrounding the strategic importance of Greenland.
Another song, “Never Give Up,” reflects the resilience of nations and communities facing invasion and conflict, echoing the determination seen in Ukraine and other struggles for sovereignty and independance around the world.
Through roots reggae, storytelling and historical reflection, Emperor In Exile connects the past with the present — showing how the story of Haile Selassie’s exile continues to speak to modern questions of sovereignty, dignity and resilience.