Angela
John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band/Elephant's Memory Lyrics
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Sister, we're breathing together
Sister, our love and hopes forever keep on moving oh so slowly in the world
They gave you sunshine
They gave you sea
They gave you everything but the jailhouse key
They gave you coffee
They gave you everything but equality
Angela, can you hear the earth is turning?
Angela, the world watches you
Angela, you soon will be returning to your sisters and brothers in the world
Sister, you're still a people teacher
Sister, your word reaches far
Sister, there's a million different races but we all share the same future in the world
They gave you sunshine
They gave you sea
They gave you everything but the jailhouse key
They gave you coffee
They gave you tea
They gave you everything but equality
Angela, they put you in prison
Angela, they shot down your man
Angela, you're one of the millions of political prisoners in the world
The song "Angela" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, also known as Plastic Ono Band, was released in 1972. The song is a tribute to Angela Davis, a political activist and Marxist philosopher who gained worldwide attention in the 1960s and 1970s for her involvement in the civil rights movement and her radical activism. The song is a powerful and emotional call for justice and equality and celebrates the struggle of Angela Davis and other political prisoners around the world.
In the first verse of the song, the singers address Angela as "sister," emphasizing their sense of unity and shared values. They speak of a "wind that never dies" and the idea of "breathing together," suggesting a sense of solidarity and interconnectedness. The second verse speaks of the injustices and inequalities that Angela and others like her have faced, in contrast to the privileges and freedoms enjoyed by others. The chorus echoes this sentiment, urging Angela to recognize her place in the world and her role as a teacher and leader for other oppressed peoples.
The final verse is perhaps the most powerful, with the poignant lines "they put you in prison / they shot down your man." Here, the singers are referencing the arrest and trial of Angela Davis in 1970, during which she was accused of conspiring to cause a prison outbreak and the death of a judge. The trial became a symbol of the struggle against injustice and became a rallying point for political activists around the world. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singers celebrating the resilience and resistance of Angela Davis and other political prisoners, and suggesting that they will one day be "returning to [their] sisters and brothers in the world."
Line by Line Meaning
Sister, there's a wind that never dies
No matter how strong the challenges or difficulties may be, Sisterhood never dies
Sister, we're breathing together
We are one, breathing in unison and standing together in solidarity
Sister, our love and hopes forever keep on moving oh so slowly in the world
Our love and hopes for all will never falter, although they may move slowly, they remain with us forever
They gave you sunshine
The powers that be granted you light and warmth
They gave you sea
The powers that be gifted you vastness and potential
They gave you everything but the jailhouse key
The powers that be gave you everything except for the right to be free
They gave you coffee
The powers that be offered you comfort and stimulation
They gave you tea
The powers that be bestowed upon you tradition and relaxation
They gave you everything but equality
The powers that be granted you all they could except for fairness and parity
Angela, can you hear the earth is turning?
Angela, do you hear the world evolving and progressing?
Angela, the world watches you
You have the world's attention and its eyes are upon you
Angela, you soon will be returning to your sisters and brothers in the world
Angela, your family across the globe awaits your release and welcomes you home
Sister, you're still a people teacher
You are still enlightening others on the lessons for the people, Sister
Sister, your word reaches far
Your voice travels great distances, reaching and inspiring many
Sister, there's a million different races but we all share the same future in the world
Although we come from various ethnic backgrounds, we all look towards the same destiny
Angela, they put you in prison
You were incarcerated by your oppressors, Angela
Angela, they shot down your man
Your lover was violently taken from you, Angela
Angela, you're one of the millions of political prisoners in the world
You are a victim of a longstanding issue of global political imprisonment, Angela
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind