Redemption Song
Bob Marley & the Wailers
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Old pirates, yes, they rob I, Sold I to the merchant ships Minutes after they took I From the bottomless pit But my 'and was made strong By the 'and of the Almighty We forward in this generation Triumphantly Won't you help to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have Redemption songs Redemption songs Emancipate yourself from mental slavery None but our self 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? Some say it's just a part of it We've got to fulfill de book Won't you help to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever have Redemption songs Redemption songs Redemption songs Emancipate yourself from mental slavery None but our self can free our mind Have no fear for atomic energy 'Cause none of them can stop the time How long shall dey kill our prophets While we stand aside and look? Some say it's just a part of it We've got to fulfill de book Won't you help to sing These songs of freedom? 'Cause all I ever had Redemption songs All I ever had Redemption songs These songs of freedom Songs of freedom
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Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
14 facts about this song
Creation"Redemption Song" was written and performed by Bob Marley in his last work, the 1980 album "Uprising".
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GenreIt is a folk song that stems from Marley's Jamaican and Rastafari cultural heritage, which combines spiritual elements. Different from Marley’s regular reggae beat, "Redemption Song" is a pure acoustic ballad.
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InfluencesThe song was influenced by a speech given by the Pan-Africanist speaker Marcus Garvey in Nova Scotia during October 1937.
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Lyrics"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds" - This poignant verse in the song is a direct quote from Marcus Garvey's speech.
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HonorsIn 2004, Rolling Stone placed ‘Redemption Song’ at no. 66 among ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by many artists across genres, including performers like Joe Strummer of The Clash, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and Stevie Wonder.
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Concert Performances"Redemption Song" was performed by The Wailers during their final tour with Marley in 1980, often as part of the encore.
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Marley's HealthWhen Marley wrote "Redemption Song", he was in the advanced stages of cancer, making the song a foreboding of his own mortality.
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Album VersionThe version of the song appearing on the album "Uprising" is a solo performance by Marley accompanied by his acoustic guitar, while another mix that includes full band appears on the compilation album "Legend".
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Public Usage"Redemption Song" has been used in numerous public protest movements worldwide, due to its potent political and spiritual message.
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Last Song on Final AlbumThe song is notable for being the last track on Bob Marley's final album, "Uprising," before his death in 1981.
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Music Video ReleaseDespite the song being released in 1980, its official music video debuted in 2019, to commemorate what would have been Marley’s 75th birthday.
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Symbol of ResistanceOver time, "Redemption Song" has assumed an iconic status as a symbol of resistance and liberation from oppressive systems.
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Multi-Language CoversThe song has been translated and covered in many languages, further extending its global reach and influence.
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Citation
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"Redemption Song Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Dec. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1006887/Bob+Marley+%26+the+Wailers/Redemption+Song>.
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