Redemption Song
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


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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 hand was made strong
By the hand 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?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Whoa, have no fear for atomic energy




'Cause none of them-ah can-ah stop-ah 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 fulfill the book

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption songs

All I ever have
Redemption songs
These songs of freedom
Songs of freedom

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Redemption Song" address the themes of slavery, oppression, and the struggle for freedom, both physical and mental. The song begins by referencing the historical reality of pirate ships which would capture and sell people into slavery. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been forcibly taken from their homeland and separated from their community. However, the singer's "hand was made strong" by God, which enabled them to overcome their oppression and continue on. The chorus calls for collective action to sing "songs of freedom" as a means of achieving redemption.


The second verse of the song calls for a similar collective effort, but focuses on the need to "emancipate ourselves from mental slavery." This suggests that while physical freedom may be important, it is also necessary to free oneself from the mental chains of fear, self-doubt, and other internal struggles. The song also alludes to political struggles, referencing nuclear energy and "killing prophets." The final chorus returns to the idea of collective action, calling for the singing of "songs of freedom."


Overall, "Redemption Song" is a powerful and inspiring call to action, urging listeners to work together towards achieving freedom and redemption, both for themselves and for others.


Line by Line Meaning

Old pirates, yes, they rob I
I have been robbed by old pirates


Sold I to the merchant ships
I have been sold to the merchant ships


Minutes after they took I
I was taken minutes ago


From the bottomless pit
I was taken from a pit with no end


But my hand was made strong
My hand was strengthened


By the hand of the Almighty
By the hand of God


We forward in this generation
We move forward in this current time


Triumphantly
With great victory


Won't you help to sing
Won't you please join me in singing


These songs of freedom?
These songs that represent freedom


'Cause all I ever have
Because all I have


Redemption songs
Songs of redemption


Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Free yourself from mental enslavement


None but ourselves can free our minds
Only we can free our own minds


Have no fear for atomic energy
Don't fear nuclear power


'Cause none of them can stop the time
Because no one can stop time


How long shall they kill our prophets
How long must our prophets be killed


While we stand aside and look?
While we stand idly by


Some say it's just a part of it
Some say it's just the way things are


We've got to fulfill the book
We must do what needs to be done


All I ever have
All I have


Redemption songs
Songs of redemption


These songs of freedom
These songs that represent freedom


Songs of freedom
Songs that represent freedom




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Robi Andi

Bob Marley , mantap..!

Akbar Sulaeman

good bob marley ??

Jill Gildart

My heart is heavy

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ommanipadmehum4975

Go ahead
No matter what
Love, be kind, take the suffer give the joy give the smile be the heroes as hard it is, as worth it is
And be inspired by great men and women, by nature and animals, by great creations and arts and music

Make your way
Make your way through life
And at the end of your last breath,
Pay tribute to the steps

All my blessings
And all my power
All my strength and faith
I give you
All your suffering and grief and sorrow
I remove from you

I am arrived i am home
I am solid i am free
In the ultimate i dwell



All comments from YouTube:

@al-mazerhussien3992

Dear person who may be reading this I wish you a beautiful life abundance and health

@garyjones9910

Why thank you

@agansley

Thx

@paradigmshift3879

Love, peace, health, happiness to you and your family Al-mazer thank you for your warm heart, kind words and presence.

@martamoreira1706

That’s so beautiful! Wishing you the same ✨

@karenyoudenvengeruk2897

Much love sweet person, may your life always shine bright with much joy and abundance.

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@jackbetter7

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” thank you Bob!

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