The reggae band from Turin, named after one of Bob Marley’s songs and lead … Read Full Bio ↴The reggae band from Turin, named after one of Bob Marley’s songs and lead by Bunna and Madaski, who have produced all their own albums and also most of the reggae bands' in Italy. They formed in 1981, when Marley prematurely died. For 25 years Africa Unite has been producing high quality music, their background being top-class roots reggae; they have played hundreds of concerts, have taken part in a good number of international festivals, and have released over a dozen albums, establishing themselves as one of the most prestigious and popular Italian reggae bands.

Redemption Song
Africa Unite 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 hand 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 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? ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'cause 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 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 of Africa Unite's Redemption Song are a powerful call for revolutionary action in the face of ongoing oppression and exploitation. The song opens with a poignant reference to the history of slavery, with the singer describing their capture by pirates and sale into the hands of merchant ships. Despite this trauma and displacement, the singer asserts that they have been made strong by the power of the almighty, and that they continue to move forward confidently in the face of adversity.

The second verse of the song serves as a call to action for the listener, urging them to free themselves from the mental chains and fear that hold them back from achieving true liberation. The reference to atomic energy speaks to the Cold War paranoia of the time, with the singer asserting that even the most powerful threats cannot stand in the way of progress. The final lines of the verse, "How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look?" highlight the ongoing nature of oppression and the need for active participation in the fight for freedom.

Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "Redemption songs" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of music and cultural expression in resistance movements. Ultimately, the song urges the listener to take an active role in the ongoing struggle for liberation, and serves as a powerful call to action for those fighting for their rights and freedoms.

Line by Line Meaning

Old pirates, yes, they rob i;
Referring to the historical enslavement of Africans, highlighting piracy as one of the means of enslaving them.

Sold I to the merchant ships,
Continuation of the theme of slavery, referring to Africans being sold into slavery and transported across the seas in merchant ships.

Minutes after they took I
Emphasizing the swift nature of the capture and enslavement of Africans.

From the bottomless pit.
Metaphor for the state of slavery, where there seemed to be no escape or hope for the enslaved people.

But my hand was made strong
Acknowledging the strength that individuals can find in themselves, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

By the 'and of the almighty.
Attribute the strength mentioned in the previous line to a higher power, recognizing the role of religion in providing comfort and hope to many enslaved Africans.

We forward in this generation
Looking towards the future, focusing on the progress that can be made in the present generation.

Triumphantly.
The chorus of the song begins, which is a call to action for freedom, delivered in a relatively upbeat tone.

Won't you help to sing
Requesting listeners to join in the singing of songs of freedom.

These songs of freedom? -
Referring to the sounds, rhythms, and lyrics of African music and the potential for music to unite and empower communities.

'cause all I ever have:
Highlighting the importance of music as a mode of expression and a source of inspiration for enslaved Africans.

Redemption songs;
Songs of liberation from the oppression of slavery and colonialism.

Redemption songs.
Repeating the message of the importance of music as a vehicle of freedom, justice, and empowerment.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
Urging listeners to liberate themselves from mental oppression, which is as harmful and destructive as physical slavery.

None but ourselves can free our minds.
Underscoring the message that freedom is internal and cannot be granted by anyone outside us.

Have no fear for atomic energy,
Uses atomic energy as a metaphor for the powers that be and the systems of oppression that are beyond the control of individuals.

'cause none of them can stop the time.
Despite the might of the oppressors, time is on the side of the oppressed and change is inevitable.

How long shall they kill our prophets,
Referring to the assassinations of key figures in the struggle for African liberation, such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Patrice Lumumba.

While we stand aside and look? ooh!
Challenges people to wake up and take action against injustice and oppression.

Some say it's just a part of it:
Acknowledging that the struggle for freedom is complex and multifaceted.

We've got to fulfil de book.
Referencing the idea of destiny and fulfilling a predetermined role in history, suggesting that Africans have a predetermined role in changing the world.

THESE songs of freedom? -
The chorus repeats, with an increasing urgency, drawing attention to the power of music and its role in the struggle for freedom.

All I ever had:
The repetition of the previous verse emphasizes the importance of the idea of redemption and liberation.

These songs of freedom,
Songs that celebrate and inspire freedom, unity, and hope.

Songs of freedom.
Repeating the message once again, emphasizing the importance of music as a tool for struggle and upliftment.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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