Redemption Song
Bob Marley · Uprising
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the all mighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help me sing
these songs of freedom
Are all I ever have:
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look
Oh! Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfill de book.
Won't you help me sing
these songs of freedom
Are all I ever have:
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
(Guitar break)
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a-the time
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil the book.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
Are all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.
Redemption Song
Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song' stands as a defining anthem of reggae, blending spiritual yearning with a powerful call for liberation. Recorded for the 1980 album Uprising, the track transforms the traditional reggae rhythm into a somber, reflective soundscape that underscores themes of freedom and human dignity. The song's iconic refrain, 'Emancipate yourselves from mental bondage,' resonates globally as a statement against oppression and a plea for inner peace. Released during a period of heightened political tension, the recording transcended its cultural origins to become a universal symbol of resistance and hope, influencing countless artists and movements worldwide. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to articulate complex social and spiritual ideals through accessible, melodic simplicity.