Redemption Song
The Chieftains featuring Ziggy Marley & Ziggy Marley Lyrics

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Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have

Redemption song
Redemtion songs

Old pirates, yes, they rob I
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
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly

Won't you help to sing
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
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book

Won't you help to sing
Another song of freedom
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs

And other songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs

Redemption songs
Redemption songs

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Redemption Song" by The Chieftains featuring Ziggy Marley & Ziggy Marley are a powerful message of hope and resilience. The song is a tribute to the struggles of those who have been oppressed and enslaved throughout history. The opening lines speak of the terrible injustice of being sold into slavery by pirates, and being taken from the darkness of the "bottomless pit" into the depths of despair. But the song quickly turns to a message of hope and redemption, as the singer finds strength in the Almighty and moves forward with their generation triumphantly.

The chorus is a call to action for all who hear the song to help sing the "songs of freedom." This is a powerful reminder that freedom is something that must be fought for and earned. The song is also a call for mental and emotional emancipation from the chains of slavery and oppression that still exist today. The final lines of the song address the continuing struggle for justice and the need to fulfill the prophecy of freedom for all.

Overall, "Redemption Song" is a song of inspiration and empowerment. It reminds us of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the power of music to unite and inspire people to fight for what they believe in.

Line by Line Meaning

Old pirates, yes, they rob I
The singer was a victim of old pirates who robbed him.

Sold I to the merchant ships
The pirates sold him as a slave to merchant ships.

Minutes after they took I
It didn't take long for the pirates to take him.

From the bottomless pit
He was taken from a situation of deep despair.

Won't you help to sing
The artist asks for help in singing the song.

These songs of freedom
The song is about freedom.

'Cause all I ever have
The only thing the singer has is redemption songs.

Redemption song
This song is a redemption song.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
The artist advises listeners to free themselves from mental slavery.

None but ourselves can free our minds
Only we can free our own minds.

Have no fear for atomic energy
There's no need to fear atomic energy.