International star Yami Bolo has been recording and performing "Jah-centere… Read Full Bio ↴International star Yami Bolo has been recording and performing "Jah-centered" cultural reggae since the 1980s. Bolo believes that he has been divinely called to make himself and his entourage revolutionary soldiers of the Almighty on a mission to spread their message of love, peace and hope to the entire world with their performances and recordings. He is particularly interested in uplifting the youth songs that warn against violence such as "Gun War." Born Rolando McLean, Yami Bolo's earliest musical influence was church music; he began performing at age 11. He got his big chance when he hooked up with Sugar Minott and his Youth Promotion organization. Minott was impressed by Bolo's sincerity and eventually allowed him to record special promotions for traveling DJs — none of the many tracks he recorded with Minott were ever released. While associated with Minott, the adolescent Bolo would spend much time hanging out at Jamaican studio listening to roots beats and learning about recording. Later, Bolo performed with Stur-Mas and Third World. As an independent artist, Bolo signed with Techniques in the mid-'80s and released three singles. He then went on to cut one LP with Junior Delgado and another with Augustus Pablo before recording the solo CD He Who Feels it Knows It for Heartbeat in 1989. In the early '90s, he was signed with Taxi Records and also to Paisley Park Records as a songwriter. Throughout the duration of the nineties Bolo recorded for the RAS and VP labels, as well as issuing 1991's He Who Knows It Feels It and 1992's Up Life Street on Heartbeat.

Free Man
Yami Bolo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na, na na
Oh, wo oh
Oh hey, hey
Oh, give thanks and prayers to king Jehova
He is our lord and our savior, hey
People pray to him down inna South Africa, wo hoy
... earth of the true leader, them call him Mandela, hey!
And me say free, free Mandela, hey

Free, free Mandela, eh
... I'm a singer, and
I was born and grown down in Jamaica
When I first heard the news von Mandela
... ... down inna Africa
So free, free Mandela
Free, free Mandel- o ah ah
... ... wo hoy
Let's come together, let us all unite, hey!
... where it's your first, and ... where it's your five, wo hoy
... comes to run me just tonight
So I say, so I say
Free, free Mandela
I say free, free Mandela
I heard Mandela
Was a South African black leader
I also heard that Mandela was a
Jolley good fellah
... and become a entertainer
'Nough respect you ...
So I say, I say
Free, free Mandela, hey
Free Nelson Mandela
... first and ... five, wo hoy
The cake is here now is it time to take a bite
It will make you feel allright
Free, free Mandela, hey, dow
Free, free Mandela

Free, free Mandela hey
I say free, free Mandel-o hoy woi

Overall Meaning

The song "Free Man" by Yami Bolo is a tribute to Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader who spent 27 years in prison for opposing white minority rule. Yami Bolo starts by giving thanks to King Jehova, whom he regards as the lord and savior, and acknowledges that people in South Africa pray to him. Then he talks about Mandela, whom he calls the true leader of the earth, and how he was imprisoned for his beliefs. The chorus of the song says "Free, free Mandela," which represents the desire for his release and the end of apartheid.

The song emphasizes the need for unity and encourages people to come together to support the movement for Mandela's freedom. Yami Bolo also mentions that he was born and raised in Jamaica and heard of Mandela's story from his place of birth. He praises Mandela for being a black leader who stood up against oppression and became an icon for freedom. The verse "I heard Mandela was a jolly good fellow" shows that Yami Bolo regards Mandela as a charismatic and kind person.

Line by Line Meaning

Na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na, na na
The song starts with a repetitive chant of 'na na na' to set the mood of the song

Oh, wo oh
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm to continue with the song

Oh hey, hey
Another expression of enthusiasm and energy to initiate the song

Oh, give thanks and prayers to king Jehova
Acknowledging and thanking God for all the blessings before the start of the song

He is our lord and our savior, hey
Reiterating the belief in God being the ultimate leader and rescuer

People pray to him down inna South Africa, wo hoy
Highlighting the significance of South Africa as a place where people continuously place their trust in God

... earth of the true leader, them call him Mandela, hey!
Describing South Africa as the homeland of a great leader, widely known as Mandela

And me say free, free Mandela, hey
Demanding freedom and release of Nelson Mandela from prison, who was fighting against apartheid in South Africa

Free, free Mandela, eh
Repeating the demand for freedom and liberation of Mandela as a way of emphasizing the importance of the issue

... I'm a singer, and
Introducing himself and establishing that he is a musician and an artist

I was born and grown down in Jamaica
Revealing that the artist comes from Jamaica and the impact of the issue of apartheid is not only limited to South Africa

When I first heard the news von Mandela
Referring to the moment when the artist became aware of the plight of Mandela

... ... down inna Africa
Reaffirming that the issue of apartheid affected many regions in Africa

So free, free Mandela
Reiterating the demand for freedom and liberation of Mandela

Free, free Mandel- o ah ah
Continuing the chant for the release of Nelson Mandela

... ... wo hoy
Reaffirming the importance of unity and coming together to fight oppression and injustice

Let's come together, let us all unite, hey!
Urging people to unite and stand together to fight against injustice and oppression

... where it's your first, and ... where it's your five, wo hoy
Fighting against oppression and injustice is not limited to specific countries or regions

... comes to run me just tonight
Stating that this issue has been a long-standing battle that requires continued efforts to achieve change

So I say, so I say
Reiterating the demand for freedom and liberation of Mandela

Free, free Mandela
Continuing to chant for the release of Nelson Mandela

I say free, free Mandela
Making it clear that the issue of apartheid in South Africa needs to be addressed and the artist is urging for change

I heard Mandela
Referencing the importance of Nelson Mandela and how his story has made an impact on the artist

Was a South African black leader
Describing Nelson Mandela as a leader who fought for the rights of black South Africans

I also heard that Mandela was a
Continuing to describe the impact of Nelson Mandela and the lessons that can be learned from his story

Jolley good fellah
Highlighting the positive qualities and characteristics of Mandela as a leader and an individual

... and become a entertainer
Referencing the fact that Mandela was also an entertainer who used his platform to communicate important messages to people

'Nough respect you ...
Showing gratitude and appreciation to Mandela for his contributions and leadership

So I say, I say
Emphasizing the importance of the message being conveyed in the song

Free, free Mandela, hey
Continuing the demand for freedom and liberation of Nelson Mandela

Free Nelson Mandela
Referencing the specific individual who is being fought for and demanding his release

... first and ... five, wo hoy
Reaffirming the idea that the fight against oppression and injustice is a global issue and not limited to specific regions

The cake is here now is it time to take a bite
Using a metaphorical expression to signify that this is the time to take action and fight for what is right

It will make you feel allright
Urging people to take action and fight against oppression as it will bring a sense of satisfaction and happiness

Free, free Mandela, hey, dow
Continuing to chant for the release and liberation of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid

Free, free Mandela
Continuing to demand freedom for Nelson Mandela

Free, free Mandela hey
Continuing to passionately chant for the release of Nelson Mandela

I say free, free Mandel-o hoy woi
Concluding the song with a final chant to emphasize the importance of the message and call to action in the fight against oppression and injustice

Contributed by Kaelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS