Redemption Song
Mann Manfred's Earth Band Lyrics
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No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
Soldiers march their freedom
Out into the city streets
And though it seems like a losing battle
There can be no retreat
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
The song "Redemption Song" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a cover of Bob Marley's original song. The lyrics speak of the need for freedom, both mentally and physically, from societal and political oppression. The repetition of "no Kwazulu, no Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa" highlights the political turmoil in South Africa during the time the song was written. The lyrics also touch on the killing of prophets and the need for people to take action, rather than just standing by and watching. The call for singing songs of freedom emphasizes the power of music as a unifying force in the fight for change.
The lyrics of "Redemption Song" have a strong message of anti-oppression and anti-racism, which were among the central themes of reggae music. The repetition of certain phrases throughout the song adds emphasis to these messages. The references to atomic energy and prophetic killing were also common themes in Marley's music. The song encourages listeners to take action, rather than just passively observing the injustices around them.
Line by Line Meaning
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
We do not want any division or domination of one group over others in our society.
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
We reject any form of apartheid in our nation and demand equality for all people.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Our freedom must start from within, from the chains of oppression that we allow to control our thoughts and actions.
None but ourselves can free our minds
We cannot rely on others to liberate us, but must take action ourselves to achieve true freedom.
Have no fear for atomic energy
We should not be afraid of new technologies, even those with destructive potential, because we are strong enough to control them.
For none of them can stop the time
No obstacle, no matter how powerful, can prevent the progress of history and the eventual triumph of freedom.
How long shall they kill our prophets
Oppressive regimes have long silenced those who speak out against their injustices, and we must not allow our leaders to be murdered without consequence.
While we stand aside and look
We must not be complicit in the oppression of our fellow citizens by failing to speak out against injustice.
Some say it's just a part of it
Some may argue that oppression is an inevitable part of society, but we reject this fatalistic attitude and demand change.
We've got to fulfill the book
We must take action to bring about the promises of freedom and justice that have been written into our laws and constitutions.
So won't you help to sing
We need the united voices of all people to call for change and inspire hope.
These songs of freedom
Our music and art can inspire political action and a collective spirit of hope and resistance.
'Cause all I ever hear
Despite the challenges we face, we remain committed to the struggle for freedom and justice.
Is redemption song
We see our fight for liberation as a spiritual quest for redemption and the fulfillment of our highest human aspirations.
Soldiers march their freedom
People are willing to fight for their freedom and take to the streets in protest to demand justice.
Out into the city streets
The people's movement for liberation spreads into every corner of our society, inspired by a collective spirit of hope and resistance.
And though it seems like a losing battle
Despite the odds against us, we remain committed to the struggle for justice and the liberation of all people.
There can be no retreat
We will not give up our fight for freedom, no matter the challenges we may face.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrErwin67
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
'Cause all I ever hear (No Transkei)
Is redemption song (No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu)
Soldiers march their freedom
Out into the city streets
And though it seems like a losing battle
There can be no retreat
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
Are all I wanna hear (No Transkei)
No redemption song
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
Are all I wanna hear (No Transkei)
No redemption song
Brothers and sisters of Africa
It's not for me
To say to you what you must do
Mothers and daughters of Africa
Amandla
We can't control
Awethu
What's in your mind, what's in your soul
Maatla
Brothers and sisters of Africa
Amandla
The chains of time
Awethu
Will break the man who holds the key
Maatla Amandla
@CaesiusX
😎👍
Are there versions of the album without the
"Africa Suite: Brothers and Sisters of Africa / Brothers and Sisters of Azania" track? 😱 My CD includes it, and the original cassette tape I purchased in the 80's did as well.² If there are versions of the album without that track, I wasn't aware. Although, at almost 10 minutes long, it wouldn't surprise me ─ even though it's one of the best tracks, IMO.
••✸••
¹ ─ Full title: "Africa Suite: Brothers and Sisters of Africa" track?¹ / To Bantustan? / Koze Kobenini? (How Long Must We Wait?) / Brothers and Sisters of Azania"_
² ─ That cassette had "Runner" on it. Which was what made me aware that it was missing on my first CD purchase of this album.
@elowyn9664
Brilliant version!
@gidikaufman850
Great song. Bob marley and manfred mann both genuiuses
@dominiquegassmann5799
Toujours d'actualité , toujours aussi envoûtant le rythme de cette chanson , Superbe !
@andymonaghan7501
Absolutely Mantastic. love MMEB especially with Chris on vocals.
@awaken77
Chris' vocal is fantastic here. Also they had guitarist Steve Waller sharing vocal duties [RIP]
@andymonaghan7501
@flykeys Couldn't agree more.
@progmeup
@flykeys The voice you hear at 5:30 onwards is actually Manfred himself.
@awaken77
@progmeup he rarely sings. I remember he sang few lines in Blinded by the light and Don't kill it Karol.
@progmeup
@flykeys Correct. The last two songs on the debut (Part Time Man, I'm Up and I'm Leaving) are him too, the last track on Solar Fire (Earth, the Circle Part 1), the last on Angel Station (Resurrection), Adolescent Dream, Brothers and Sisters of Azania and more recently, the spoken tracks "Frog" and "Slogo" from his solo projects. Oh, and the original Chapter Three version of "One Way Glass".
...I think that's all he did as a vocalist. Oh wait, I forgot about the b-sides from this era, "War Dream" and "Holiday's End".
@Rachid__Dahbi
I lesson this album since 1983. I buy it 5 or 6 times. A piece of art.