Eric Donaldson (born June 11, 1947, St. Catherine, Jamaica) is a Jamaican r… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Donaldson (born June 11, 1947, St. Catherine, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer/songwriter.

Donaldson had been composing and recording since 1964. He rocketed to popularity in 1971 with his winning entry in the annual Jamaican Festival Song Competition, "Cherry Oh Baby". He went on to win the festival again in in 1977, 1978, 1984 and 1993. The "Cherry Oh Baby" has been very popular, and has been covered more than thirty times, including covers by The Rolling Stones and UB40.

Freedom Street
Eric Donaldson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Every time that I remember the old slavery days
My little heart cries out
Oh I wish that one day
Natty gonna walk down freedom street

Let me be
I don't want to live in misery
Why can't you see

That even the prisoners got to be free
Whip flush on my back
And strings around my feet
I work in the burning sun
Until the tears and the sweat stains my face

Freedom street, freedom street
Freedom street, freedom street

Come take my hands I want to drop it to you
Come take my hands, say, just as the conqueror
Come take my hand

Whip flush on my back
And strings around my feet
I work in the burning sun
Until the tears and the sweat stains my face

Freedom street, freedom street
Freedom street, freedom street

Come take my hands I want to drop it to you
Come take my hands, say, just as the conqueror
Come take my hand

Natty Dread a the conqueror
Come take my hand

Freedom street, yeah, freedom street
Come take my hands, say, just as the conqueror

Overall Meaning

The song "Freedom Street" by Eric Donaldson is about the struggle for freedom and the longing to escape from slavery. The lyrics poignantly describe the suffering and pain of those who were enslaved, as well as their yearning for the day when they could walk down "Freedom Street". The singer's "little heart" cries out every time he remembers the old slavery days, expressing the deep emotional scars that remain long after physical chains are broken. He asks for freedom not only for himself, but for all prisoners, showing the empathy and solidarity felt by those who faced similar hardships. The repetition of the title phrase emphasizes the central message of the song and reinforces the importance of liberty and self-determination.

Line by Line Meaning

Every time that I remember the old slavery days
Whenever I think back to the days of slavery

My little heart cries out
My heart becomes overwhelmed with sadness

Oh I wish that one day
I yearn and dream for the day

Natty gonna walk down freedom street
When we will all be free like Natty on Freedom Street

Let me be
Please allow me

I don't want to live in misery
I do not wish to live a life of despair

Why can't you see
Don't you understand that

That even the prisoners got to be free
Everyone, even those in prison, deserve freedom

Whip flush on my back
With lashes on my back

And strings around my feet
And shackles on my feet

I work in the burning sun
I sweat and toil under the scorching sun