Redemption Song
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics of Ziggy Marley & Lauryn Hill's Redemption Song are a powerful indictment of slavery and oppression. The "old pirates" are a metaphor for the slave traders who "robbed" Africans of their freedom and "sold" them to "merchant ships" for transport to America. The image of being "taken from the bottomless pit" captures the despair of being uprooted from one's homeland and forced into a life of servitude.
However, despite the injustice of their situation, the singer maintains hope for "redemption" through the power of song. The call to "help sing these songs of freedom" is an invitation to join in a collective struggle for justice. The repeated phrase "Redemption songs," with its emphasis on the word "songs," suggests that music has the ability to transform suffering into strength.
The second half of the song shifts from a historical perspective to a more contemporary one. The exhortation to "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery" urges listeners to reject the internalized oppression that can persist even after physical slavery has ended. The lines "None but ourselves can free our minds" and "Have no fear for atomic energy / 'Cause none of them can stop the time" suggest a belief in the power of individual and collective action to effect change, even in the face of formidable obstacles. The final stanza returns to the theme of singing "songs of freedom," reinforcing the idea that the act of making music can be an act of resistance and liberation.
Overall, Ziggy Marley & Lauryn Hill's Redemption Song is a powerful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. It acknowledges the profound injustices of history while also pointing towards a future of hope and possibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Old pirates, yes, they rob I
I have been a victim of theft by old pirates.
Sold I to the merchant ships
I was sold to the merchant ships by the pirates.
Minutes after they took I
After taking me as their captive, they immediately sold me.
From the bottomless pit
I was taken from a place that felt like it had no end, a pit.
Won't you help to sing
Would you be willing to lend your voice to the song?
These songs of freedom
The songs are about freedom from oppression and slavery.
'Cause all I ever have
This is all I have to offer.
Redemption song
The song is about redemption and freedom.
Redemption songs
These are multiple songs about redemption and freedom.
But my hand was made strong
I became stronger and more resilient.
By the hand of the Almighty
God helped me become stronger.
We forward in this generation
We are making progress for future generations to enjoy.
Triumphantly
With a sense of victory and accomplishment.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
We need to free our minds from oppressive and limiting thoughts.
None but ourselves can free our minds
Only we have the power to free ourselves from mental slavery.
Have no fear for atomic energy
We should not be afraid of nuclear power.
'Cause none of them can stop the time
No one can stop the forward march of time.
How long shall they kill our prophets
For how much longer will those in power silence those who speak truth?
While we stand aside and look
While we watch and do nothing.
Some say it's just a part of it
Some people believe this is just a natural part of life.
We've got to fulfill the book
We need to live up to what has been written and expected of us.
Another song of freedom
We need to sing more songs about freedom.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bernard.rosario.2013
@RooThe Son of man came out to speak, and the crowds did gather—because he was full of the Spirit of excellence, mercy and kindness. In his quest to save souls, he taught them the wisdom from above. The Son of man also recited parables and gave warnings, to wake the Pharisees of that day before the impending judgment of God—these were called hypocrites, because they were full of the wrong spirit.
Likewise, some have presently been commissioned by God; therefore, they incline their heart to the teaching of his word. Because they understand that sin can be very deceptive, to the point that one can embrace idolatry without knowing it, therefore they speak, so as to faithfully warn. Last but not least, we can look to Scriptures to confirm these things.
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god." (See Isaiah 44, v6)
"If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand." —[Ezekiel 3, v18]
Also recommended: [Titus 2, v15; Ezekiel 3:17; Isaiah 42, v22; Ezekiel 22, v30]
@BunBabylon
Julie Goodwin Please take your time to read this 🙏
I am angry too and I trying to understand what happened in our past. I am 40 years old and from Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Since 1992 my home was destroyed by government-politicians- bad people. Around 300.000 people was killed in that war.
I live now in Denmark, North Europe. My home is stolen from me and i live my life desperately. I hope every day that it will be better but i'm surrounded by so many racists who don't want me here just because i have dark hair, dark eyes, diffrent mentality, strange name and so on...
I listen to reggae music like always every day and i find peace but i will NEVER EVER FORGET or FORGIVE those monsters who destroyed our lives.
Even if i'm not black i know how you feel.
I learn about African history and i told my kids everything so now they know who is Good and who is Evil.
In my opinion, it maybe might be a little justice only if all white people who did all those "bad and ugly non-human" things get the same punishment.
That includes also all monsters who on this day wants no peace in the world.
And all those racists who can not accept other people and their culture.
I'm with you no matter what.
I wish you all the best.
Africa🤜🤛Bosnia🙏❤💛💚
@SekelaniDrillz
May whoever reading this reach 2022 in good health with joy
@Usuario18013
I wonder she takes care of herself, I saw videos from her concert here in Spain, in Galicia, I loved, but I found myself sad because of why I see her... it´s a pity...
@art4ig
This comment didnt age well.. stay save healthy and at home $<♡
@Adele215
Sekelani Nkhata you to 🥰🌈💖
@kaylawahanui1981
@art4ig I was literally just thinking this lol
@teheshabozeman7807
Amen
I Pray Artists Such As Lauren Grace US Once Again. Teach The Youth NEVER Blaming The Youth As We 🙏 4 OUR NATION As An WHOLE...
If NOT We SHALL Too Die As An Whole
@bamf28
Ziggy sounds exactly like Bob when he starts singing... You can stop the heart, but can't kill the soul
@Michele-pt6uw
I dnt know if you will see this now as you made tht comment nine years ago but i jst want to say that the line .. you can stop the heart but u can't kill the soul will stay with me 4ever ✌️❤️ peace an luv
@idk4nyname
I hope ur still alive mate
@felipejara305
Yg Marley?