The Live at Leeds EP (Arista) followed in 1994 (with artwork styled after the Who's Live at Leeds), and in 1997, the group released Psychedelicatessen (Arista/BMG). Showbiz was a member of Moodswings up until the album Horizontal, which Hood solo-produced (Varèse Sarabande, 2002). Julee Cruise sings vocals on two tracks from Horizontal: "Seems to Remind Me (Of Love)" and "Into the Blue." Hood contributed "Storm in a Teacup" from the same album for the 2005 documentary Do You Believe? Another World is Possible.
Redemption Song
Moodswings 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 fullfil the book.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
Guitar break
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 help to sing
These 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 Moodswings' "Redemption Song" are a powerful and poignant commentary on the history of slavery and oppression in Jamaica, and the ongoing struggle for freedom and self-determination. The song begins with the image of old pirates robbing the singer and selling him into slavery, but soon shifts towards a message of hope and resilience. The line "But my hand was made strong / By the 'and of the Almighty" suggests that despite his enslavement, the singer has found inner strength and faith that has enabled him to triumph over his oppressors.
The song's most famous line is probably "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; / None but ourselves can free our minds," which speaks to the importance of mental liberation as a precursor to actual physical freedom. The singer is urging his listeners to reject the psychological chains of colonialism and oppression, and to take control of their own thoughts and actions. The final verse returns to the idea of prophets being killed, suggesting that the fight for freedom is ongoing and that individuals must take responsibility for their own liberation.
Overall, "Redemption Song" is a stirring call to action and a reminder that freedom is not something that can be given or taken away, but must be claimed and fought for by each individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
I was robbed by old pirates.
Sold I to the merchant ships,
The pirates sold me to merchant ships.
Minutes after they took I
I was taken away just minutes after.
From the bottomless pit.
I was in a hopeless situation.
But my hand was made strong
I became stronger.
By the 'and of the Almighty.
Thanks to the help of God.
We forward in this generation
We move forward with the next generation.
Triumphantly.
With great success.
Won't you help to sing
Can you please join me in singing?
These songs of freedom? -
These songs that represent freedom?
'Cause all I ever have:
Because all I have is:
Redemption songs;
Songs of redemption;
Redemption songs.
More songs of redemption.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
Free your mind from psychological bondage;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Only we can set ourselves free.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
Don't be scared of atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
Because none of them can stop time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
How much longer will they kill our leaders?
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
While we simply watch?
Some say it's just a part of it:
Some believe it's just a small aspect:
We've got to fullfil the book.
We need to fulfill a greater purpose.
Won't you help to sing
Can you please join me in singing?
These songs of freedom? -
These songs that represent freedom?
'Cause all I ever have:
Because all I have is:
Redemption songs -
Songs of redemption -
All I ever had:
All I have ever had:
Redemption songs:
Songs of redemption:
These songs of freedom,
These songs that represent freedom,
Songs of freedom.
Songs that promote freedom.
Contributed by Chloe B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TopsMiah
21 years ago I started to listen to this song. We have it on Cafe Del Mar volume 3 I believe. Still gives me goosebumps. One amazing track one of our favourites.
@rogerrees7483
65,979 very lucky people to hear this....
@uplifting-moments333
Took me years to actually HEAR the vocals. ⭐
@jinxuk303
Live at Whirly, this was amazing x
@jyonda
You might like this Whirly playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9WbTY5ftBz2nTr90nQjcghloZu69tu7A
@noelandrews2651
Nothing will better Bob's version of this song but I like this. How colourful would a rainbow be if it was but one colour ?
@oooohyyyeeaaaahhhhh
this song is good! you should only listen to it as it is and not compare it to the original bob marley version because no one will sing a better version than robert nesta marley!
@marinusvh
This is not Tanita Tikaram!!!!
@Altozano1991
This is CAFE DEL MAR version with Chrissie Hynde
@Douglas13951
Gostaria mto de ouvir essa musica na voz da Tanita Tikaran....onde posso encontrar???