Lyrics of
Redemption Song

‘Redemption Song’ is the final track on Bob Marleys last studio album, Uprising, released in 1980. Marley wrote the song in 1979 following his cancer diagnosis, reflecting on his mortality and the legacy he wanted to leave. It is renowned for its powerful messages of hope and liberation.

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.

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
these songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have,
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?
Oh,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.
These songs of freedom
these songs of freedom
All I ever have
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