After releasing two albums with this line-up, Sal left due to musical differences, and recruited a drummer for the recording/touring of 'Soul Searching Sun.' Caputo felt that the band's original spirit had left the band, and decided to quit in 1997. After a tour with replacement vocalist Whitfield Crane, the singer from Ugly Kid Joe, the band officially disbanded in 1999.
In 2003, the band reunited with their original line-up and played two sold-out shows before their home-town crowd, receiving great reception. This eventually led to a new studio album in 2005, namely 'Broken Valley'. Caputo came out as transgender in 2011. The band broke up again in 2012.
In 2014 the original 'River Runs Red' line-up returned to stage for several gigs. Their latest album A Place Where There's No More Pain was released in 2017. An upcoming album 'The Sound of Scars' is set to be released in 2019.
Redemption Song
Life of Agony 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
He fought in this generation
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none o' them can stop the time
How long will they kill our prophets
While we stand around and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We got's to fulfill the book
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song
The lyrics of "Redemption Song" by Life of Agony are heavily influenced by the Bob Marley's original song with a similar name. There is a strong anti-slavery theme throughout the song, and it begins with the line "Oh pirates, yes they rob us." This refers to the slavery that occurred when pirates captured people and sold them into slavery to merchants.
The song then shifts to a more metaphorical view of slavery, referencing the idea of "mental slavery." The lyrics urge the listener to "emancipate yourself from mental slavery" and not be held back by fear or other restrictions imposed by society. The song then addresses the killing of prophets and the idea that it is a necessary part of fulfilling a larger plan.
The overall message of the song is one of redemption and liberation. It calls on the listener to break free from the chains of slavery, whether physical or mental, and to sing songs of freedom. It is a powerful call to action, urging the listener to take control of their own destiny and not be held back by the past or by external forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh pirates, yes they rob us
The singer is acknowledging the existence of oppressors (pirates) who have taken advantage of them.
Sold I to the merchant ships
The singer was forced into servitude and sold to work on a merchant ship.
Minutes after they took I
The singer was taken into servitude suddenly and without warning.
From the bottomless pit
The depths of despair or hopelessness the artist felt when they were taken into servitude.
But my hand was made strong
The artist gained inner strength after enduring hardship.
By the hand of the almighty
The source of the singer's strength and the one who helped them overcome adversity was a higher power.
He fought in this generation
The higher power has been working to fight against oppression in the present.
Triumphantly
Despite the obstacles, the higher power has been victorious in the struggle against oppression.
Won't you help me sing
The artist is asking for support in spreading a message of hope and freedom.
These songs of freedom
The artist wants to share music that represents liberation and hope.
'Cause all I ever had
The singer has been through a lot and wants to find redemption through the message of freedom in their music.
Redemption song
A song that speaks to the redeeming power of hope in times of hardship.
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
The singer is urging people to free themselves from the mental imprisonment of belief systems that hold them back.
None but ourselves can free our minds
The singer believes that true freedom can only come from freeing one's own mind, and cannot be achieved through external means.
Have no fear for atomic energy
The singer is urging people not to be afraid of the dangers of technology and science.
'Cause none o' them can stop the time
The artist believes that despite the dangers of the world, time will continue to progress forward.
How long will they kill our prophets
The artist is lamenting the loss of visionary thinkers who have been killed for their ideas.
While we stand around and look?
The singer is questioning why people passively let violence happen to those who inspire them.
Some say it's just a part of it
There are some who believe that violence is just an unavoidable part of life.
We got's to fulfill the book
The artist believes that it is their duty to carry on the work of those who came before them and inspire future generations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind