Siffre released his first six albums of songs between 1970 and 1975, and a further three albums between 1988 and 1998. During this period he had several solo hits, including "It Must Be Love" (No. 14, 1971) (later covered by and a No. 4 hit for Madness, for which Siffre himself appeared in the video); "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying" (No. 11, 1972); and "Watch Me" (No. 29, 1972). In 1978 two of his songs, "Solid Love" (performed by Siffre) and "We Got It Bad" (co-written and performed by Bob James) reached the UK finals of the BBC's A Song for Europe. His 1987 hit "(Something Inside) So Strong", which reached No. 4, was an anti-Apartheid anthem that won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically", and has since been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker's film against female genital mutilation: Warrior Marks.
In 1997, Siffre's play "DeathWrite" was staged at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and later televised.
His song "I Got The..." was sampled in rapper Eminem's hit single "My Name Is," Siffre, who is openly gay, said in an interview that he turned down the offer to approve the song at first until the original sexist and homophobic lyrics were removed: "Dissing the victims of bigotry – women as bitches, homosexuals as faggots – is lazy writing. Diss the bigots not their victims." Siffre eventually allowed its usage when he was sent a censored "clean" version, not realizing that he was also allowing the riffs use on the alternative "dirty" versions with the original lyrics.
In 1984 Siffre began writing poetry and has since released three books of poetry: "Blood on the Page" 1995 and "Monument" 1997. His poetry addresses a variety of themes, from theology and childhood to sociology, love, hate, language, critical thinking, and communication. In 2006, he released a new album, The Last Songs.
Saved
Labi Siffre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have been broken but my children will be saved
Saved by the fire of mans desire
Saved for tomorrow with todays sorrow
Saved for a Jesus who does not need us
Saved for the lovers i pray they will discover
I don't need religion to tell me what to do
I know that i should love you
And if there is a heaven and i get there
How could i be happy with my children down there
Saved by the fire of mans desire
Saved for tomorrow with todays sorrow
Saved for a Jesus who does not need us
Saved for the lovers i pray they will discover
Labi Siffre's song "Saved" is a poignant and reflective commentary on the historical and personal oppression and struggle of black people. The first line, "And my father he was a slave," immediately brings to mind the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on generations of black people. However, Siffre's lyrics affirm a hopeful message that despite the pain and trauma of the past, "my children will be saved."
The concept of salvation is central to the song. Siffre explores different dimensions of what it means to be saved, suggesting that it is not only a religious concept but a personal and social one as well. He references the "fire of mans desire," perhaps alluding to the passion and fervor of social justice activism, as a force that can save and liberate people. He also expresses his hopes that his children will be saved for tomorrow even as they experience today's sorrow.
The refrain of the song reiterates Siffre's rejection of organized religion as a means of salvation. He declares that he doesn't need religion to tell him how to live his life and instead chooses to live by the principle of love. He poses a powerful rhetorical question in the last stanza about whether he could truly be happy in heaven if his children are still suffering on earth.
Overall, "Saved" is a powerful and touching song that reflects on the complex and difficult realities of black life while also affirming hope and resilience in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
And my father he was a slave
Despite his family history, the singer is determined to overcome his struggles.
I have been broken but my children will be saved
Although the singer has faced hardships, he hopes his children will thrive and succeed.
Saved by the fire of mans desire
The passion and ambition of humanity has allowed the singer to overcome obstacles in life.
Saved for tomorrow with todays sorrow
Despite current difficulties, there is hope for a better future.
Saved for a Jesus who does not need us
The artist sees religion as unnecessary and believes in a selfless, unconditionally-loving God.
Saved for the lovers i pray they will discover
The singer hopes that others will find love and happiness in their lives.
I don't need religion to tell me what to do
The singer believes in making their own moral decisions instead of relying on organized religion.
I know that i should love you
The artist values love and believes it is an essential aspect of life.
And if there is a heaven and i get there
The artist is hopeful for an afterlife where they can be reunited with loved ones.
How could i be happy with my children down there
The artist could not find true happiness if their loved ones are not with them.
Writer(s): Labi Siffre
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Melanie
on Cannock Chase
So beautiful :)