Redemption Song
♪ Bob Marley Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley are a powerful reflection on the African slave trade and its legacy. The opening verse speaks to the experience of many enslaved Africans who were forcibly taken from their homes and sold to merchants, becoming a commodity to be bought and sold. However, the lyrics also suggest that Marley's spirit remained strong in the face of this oppression, citing the "hand of the Almighty" as the source of his resilience.


The song then shifts into a call for spiritual liberation, urging listeners to "emancipate yourself from mental slavery" and break free from the psychological shackles that accompany physical bondage. Marley also acknowledges the threat of nuclear weapons, but holds onto the hope that time cannot be stopped, regardless of human destruction. The final verse speaks to the ongoing struggle for social justice, as prophets continue to be killed while society remains complicit in their deaths. Despite this, Marley reminds us of the power of music and the hope for redemption that it brings.


Overall, "Redemption Song" is a powerful meditation on human freedom and the struggle for justice, set to the iconic sound of reggae music. It remains a beloved anthem for those fighting for social change, and a testament to the enduring legacy of Bob Marley.


Line by Line Meaning

Old pirates, yes, they rob I,
In the past, I was robbed by pirates.


Sold I to the merchant ships
The pirates sold me to merchants who used me as a slave.


Minutes after they took I, from the bottomless pit
I was taken away by the pirates immediately after being enslaved and was in a place of deep despair.


But my 'and was made strong, by the 'and of the Almighty
Despite being enslaved, my spirit was strengthened by the grace of God.


We forward in this generation, triumphantly
We move ahead with strength and victory for future generations.


Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom?
Join me in singing songs that celebrate freedom.


'Cause all I ever have, redemption songs
For me, the only thing that truly carries meaning are the songs of redemption.


Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
Free yourself from any attitudes or beliefs that hold you captive mentally.


None but our self can free our minds
Our personal decision and action are necessary to free us from mental slavery.


Have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time
We do not need to fear technology, because time is unstoppable.


How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look?
We cannot continue to tolerate the abuse or death of those who speak truth to power.


Some say it's just a part of it, we've got to fulfill de book
Some people believe that abuse of power is just a normal part of life, but we must stand up to authority and make things right.


These songs of freedom
At their core, these songs are about the power and liberation of freedom.


All I ever had, redemption songs
For me, the most important thing I have ever had is music about the redemption of the human spirit.


Songs of freedom
These songs celebrate freedom in all its forms.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@swiftlessons

Hey friends, great news! Swiftlessons on Patreon now offers yearly memberships at a 10% discount. Printable chord sheet and tablature for today's lesson can be downloaded at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40675614. Happy picking! -Rob

@bensonchad

Thank you!!! I was able to get this whole song down on guitar in a half hour with your tutorial. Now to marry the strumming pattern with the singing. The way you played and sang the song at the beginning really gives me a fighting chance to do that by playing and singing along with you!!!!

@swiftlessons

Hey Benson, thank you so much for the kind comments and your generosity. Congrats on your progress! -Rob

@adampalermo6203

Been playing this song for 10 years now I can finally learn it

@reaganramsarran3367

This was a super good tutorial. Love his technique and teaching method.

@rajennaidoo7

Goosebumps Rob! Such talent: vocal and impeccable guitar work.You so willingly,selflessly show us how to play it.Immensely grateful to you.PS: Whenever your channel pops up on my screen I open with bated breath.Thank you Brother!

@nicolen.9642

Enriching. Each lesson is a step forward, and going back to your former lessons is a great privilege. Thanks for your commitment! 🎵🎵🎵

@aDDmoreJuiceTV

GREAT Lesson easy to follow. The BEST tutorial I find on YouTube to help me learn to play one of my all-time favorite songs.

@TimLippert

Actually this is by far the best described "teaching" of this song....big thumbs up.....I've been playing for 2 years but only wrote my own songs (lotsa power chord punk songs that were super fun to play) but never tried to LEARN a whole song.....so thanks for this!

@ryansilver5497

You’re doing God’s work and you are THE BEST !!!! Amazing lesson ! Thank you 🙏

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