Various translations of his name include "high priest who does not lie" and "powers of miracles, the high priest does not live", and he claims he was born with dreadlocks, the "holy" hairstyle of Rastafarianism.
Fashek first gained national fame on a television show in the early 1980s, then toured for many years with The Mandators. In 1987, he began a solo career and quickly became the biggest reggae singer in the country. His song 'Send Down The Rain' was especially popular. He won six awards at the PMAN ceremony and then signed to CBS Nigeria in 1988 before moving to Island Records' Mango imprint (a label more accustomed to marketing reggae internationally). His first album for the company included a cover version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".
He subsequently recorded several albums for various labels, including Rainmaker for Tuff Gong (1997) and Little Patience for Coral (2004).
Redemption Song
Majek Fashek 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 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
This 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 fullfil the book.
Won't you help to sing
This 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.
Wo! 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 fullfil the book.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom
The song "Redemption Song" by Majek Fashek is a powerful message about slavery, freedom, and the strength of the human spirit. The opening lines are a reference to the history of the transatlantic slave trade, in which millions of Africans were captured and sold into slavery. The singer acknowledges that he has been "robbed" and sold into slavery, but he also asserts that his "hand was made strong" by a divine power.
The singer then calls on others to join him in singing songs of freedom, which he sees as an important part of the struggle for emancipation from mental slavery. He emphasizes that the power to free our minds comes from within and that we cannot rely on others to do it for us. The reference to "atomic energy" is likely a nod to the Cold War era, in which the fear of nuclear war loomed large, but the singer suggests that even this powerful force cannot stop the march of time.
The song also takes a critical stance towards those who stand by while prophets and other leaders are killed, suggesting that we must be willing to take action to fulfill the promises of freedom and justice. Overall, "Redemption Song" is a call to action and a celebration of the human spirit's ability to triumph over oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
In the past, pirates robbed and stole from me.
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Afterward, they sold me to traders.
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
They took me immediately from a deep, dark place.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
However, I was strengthened by the hands of God.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Now, we are advancing victoriously in our time.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
Please join me in singing these songs of freedom, which are most meaningful to me.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
We should liberate ourselves from mental enslavement and only we have the power to free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
We should not fear atomic energy as it cannot stop 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 fullfil the book.
Those who kill our wise leaders are not held accountable, and some say it is inevitable. However, we must still fulfill our destinies.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
Join me in singing these songs of freedom, which are significant to me.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
We have to free ourselves from mental chains, as we are the only ones who can do it. Also, we should not fear anything because it cannot stop 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 fullfil the book.
Leaders are assassinated while we watch, and some claim it's just how things are. However, we still have a duty to fulfill.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
I always had Freedom songs, so please sing them with me.
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom
These are the songs of liberty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ehisa66
he is my father, i will never stop loving his songs, he is the greatest musician Nigerian ever had
@davidejiro4191
2nd greatest musician after fela kuti
@kizolarry
@@davidejiro4191 His song is better than fela songs.
@njemibefrancis7981
Baba moye ọmọ to bí! 🤣
@agp1377
@@kizolarry fela is the greatest
@enousoroh8670
Majek really beautified this song for Bob...thus opening up another generation and country up to the legacy of Bob! May they both RIP...even as their legacies live on👌🏽🙏🏽
@afolabiidowu570
His Song Little PATIENCE is big one for me... This also.. I feel like crying right now.... May his soul rest in peace
@lydiagiwa2178
The best version ever!!!! God bless you
@philiptimi3857
U are just too cute
@bankolekunle473
my thoughts actually.