She has won numerous awards and inspired many to donate their time and money to countless charities around the globe. Her accomplishments in blues, jazz and rock have moved audiences across the country. Her talents have led to collaborations, as both singer and songwriter, with internationally acclaimed artists as well as local friends and heroes.
Molly Johnson has rocked standing-room only audiences in nightclubs and bars from coast-to-coast as a pop artist, seduced the patrons of salons and lounges with her luscious interpretations of jazz and blues standards and even regaled royalty with her unique and charming presence.
However, Molly's most prized accomplishment to date is being a good mother to her two children.
Ooh Child / Redemption Song
Molly Johnson 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.
These 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 fulfil de book.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
---
/Guitar break/
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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 fulfil de book.
Won't you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.
The lyrics of Molly Johnson's "Ooh Child / Redemption Song" speaks about redemption and freedom, particularly from slavery, both physical and mental. The first verse talks about slavery and how the pirates robbed and sold them into the merchant ships. Despite being trapped in a bottomless pit, the singer's faith in God had made their hand strong, enabling them to move forward in this generation with triumph. It then transitions into the chorus, where the singer asks for help to sing songs of freedom. The song highlights the theme of redemption with a simple yet profound question: "all I ever have: redemption songs; redemption songs."
The second verse speaks about the mental slavery from which the singer wants everyone to free themselves. The singer believes that only they can liberate their minds and have control over their thoughts. The verse acknowledges the fear of atomic energy but emphasizes that it shouldn't hold us back since nothing can stop time. The third verse addresses the killing of prophets and how it has become a part of life. The singer believes that it's their duty to fulfill the book (presumably the Bible) and that everyone should help sing these songs of freedom. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "These songs of freedom," emphasizing the importance of redemption and liberation.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
I was robbed by those evil pirates who have been plundering the seas for far too long.
Sold I to the merchant ships,
I was sold into slavery and taken away on a ship full of other captives.
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
It was a sudden and brutal capture, taking me from the depths of despair and throwing me into a life of bondage.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
Despite my captivity, I found strength in my faith and in the power of the divine.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Now, in this moment, we must move forward and face the challenges of our time with bravery and determination.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
I call on you to join me in singing songs of hope and liberation, as redemption is the only thing I have left.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
We must free ourselves from the enslavement of our own thoughts and beliefs, as only we have the power to liberate our own minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
We need not be afraid of the destructive power of nuclear energy, as no force can stop the forward march of time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
We must not stand idly by as those in power destroy those who speak truth to power and call for change.
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.
Some may see this violence and persecution as inevitable, but we must strive to fulfill our destiny and create a better world.
All I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
The only thing I have left to offer is the hope and joy of redemption.
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.
Together, we can create a world where all live in freedom and harmony, and these songs capture that spirit and hope.
Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.