"Redemption Song" is a song composed by Bob Marley. It was the last song performance on the Uprising album with the Wailers in 1980... And he performed the song while the band members simply resonated with his performance. Such beautiful performance.
Bob Marley performing Redemption Song Live
It is the last recorded document of Bob Marley before he died on May 11, 1981.
He died of cancer after a protracted period dealing with the health condition.
The song was indeed evident of the fact that he probably knew that his time was already coming to an end.
So you would see a lot of relective words and words of admonition stemming from a personal experience of life and drawing from wise words.
He also makes reference to "the book", which some have said was the bible, while others attribute it to a religious standard. He talks about how we "kill our prophets" and attribute no care to the future and time, which will on the long run matter in our lives.
The song was more like a word to you from him and it dwelt a lot on the concept of freedom of the mind, stressing the fact that such freedom is in your hands.
This song is a mixture of emotions, bravery and a quest for truth... a song with deep reflective meaning, with such liberating lyrics.
There have been so many re-renditions and covers of the song over the years right from when it was released. In fact, Stevie Wonder performed the song just shortly after it was released. This shows how powerful and how much of a classic this song is, even till today.
Enjoy my saxophone one-man version of it.
Lyrics (AZLyrics)
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? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill 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 fulfill 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
Thanks for listening!
Saxophone: Proel Eflat Alto Saxophone
Reed: Rico 2.5 (Modified)
Mouthpiece: Generic Jazz Metallic mouthpiece
Microphone: Behringer C3
Headphones: OneOdio Studio Pro 30
Edited and Mixed on: Audacity
Backtrack Source: Gratouille
Original Live Performance:
▶️ 3Speak
