Members
* Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
* Martin Slattery - lead guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute
* Scott Shields - guitar, bass guitar
* Antony Genn - guitar (1999-2000)
* Simon Stafford - bass guitar, trombone (2001-2002)
* Tymon Dogg - violin, Spanish guitar, keyboards (2000-2002)
* John Blackburn - bass guitar (2000)
* Jimmy Hogarth - bass guitar (2000)
* Pablo Cook - percussion (1999-2001)
* Luke Bullen - drums (2001-2002)
* Steve "Smiley" Barnard - drums (1999-2000)
Discography
* Rock Art and the X-Ray Style (1999)
* Global A Go-Go (2001)
* Streetcore (2003) [released after Stummer's death]
Redemption Song
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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 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-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 fulfill the 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
The lyrics of Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros’s song Redemption Song are a powerful call to liberation from both physical and mental slavery. The first verse refers to the historical practice of pirates and merchants kidnapping Africans and enslaving them in America. The singer has been taken from a bottomless pit, referring to the depths of suffering and hopelessness that come with slavery. Despite their attempts to break him, the singer declares that his hand was made strong by the hand of the Almighty, signifying the strength that comes from faith and resilience. He and those around him move forward triumphantly, and he calls on others to join him in singing songs of freedom, the only way to resist oppression.
The second verse takes on a broader meaning, calling for the emancipation of the mind from mental slavery. The singer encourages listeners to free themselves from the mental chains that keep them from thinking and acting freely. He also addresses the fear and concern many people feel about atomic energy, assuring them that time will not be stopped by it. He then questions how long prophets will be killed while people look on passively, suggesting that the suffering of the world’s people is being ignored. Finally, he reaffirms the need for collective action and fulfilling a shared mission of freedom. The song serves as a powerful reminder of the need for resilience, revolution, and hope in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates, yes, they rob I
I was robbed by old pirates
Sold I to the merchant ships
The pirates sold me to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
I was taken shortly after
From the bottomless pit
I was in a dire situation
But my hand was made strong
I became stronger
By the hand of the Almighty
With the help of God
We forward in this generation
We move forward as a generation
Triumphantly.
We are victorious.
Won't you help to sing
Join me in singing
These songs of freedom
Songs that speak of freedom
Cause all I ever have
Because the only thing I ever have
Redemption songs
Are songs of redemption
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Free yourself from mental bondage
None but ourselves can free our minds
Only we can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
Do not be afraid of 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 will they continue to kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look Ooh
While we do nothing
Some say it's just a part of it
Some believe it is inevitable
We've got to fulfill the book
We must fulfill our destiny
All I ever had
The only thing I ever had
These songs of freedom
Are songs that speak of freedom
Songs of freedom
Songs that speak of freedom
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWIN HAWKINS, EDWIN R. HAWKINS, BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterblum613
My wife and I saw Joe play just before he died -- at a casino in Atlantic City. (There's a film of that day showing Joe on the boardwalk approaching passers-by and asking them to come to the show.) The irony of the venue was not lost on Joe; he had a twinkle in his eye the whole evening. Before one of his political numbers, he said, "This next one is a love song." My wife yelled to him, "Sing it to me, Joe." Joe looked at her, smiled, and said, "It doesn't make any sense, but I'll try."
@jenniferbeetz7335
I saw him play after he died and it was revelatory
@Infntpaccout1100.3x
Joe strummer the future is unwritten is a great film
@TheAdvencherContinues2022
I caught him in columbus just before he passed. Thankfully!
@kimbaldunsmore4633
That's a lovely story mate. I think he was a good bloke with a kind heart, more than just a musician. I remember the day we lost him very clearly and I was gutted. I hope he is in a good place with fiends now. Remembering you Joe.
@FitzgeraldStanburyWeissV
I wish I could've seen him live. I loved The Clash and I loved him with the Mescaleros...
RIP Joe Strummer
@briski2429
"And I'll keep listening to the great Joe Strummer 'Cause through music, we can live forever." -Tim Armstrong. R.I.P
@PAul.paUL.PaUL.
And I know
I'm indestructible
@justinkline1294
2:03 Big Tim looking good.
@TigerKhukhbar
A plaza named by Joe Strummer, in honour of him, was inaugurated in the Spainish city Granada last week, hope you people who love Joe come and visit this plaza.