Redemption Song
Bob Marley - www.musicasparabaixar.org 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