Analysis

Well I think the first verse of the song is about people getting taken and sold to slavery. Then about them being able to know they where strong and eventually get out of slavery. Then the song talks about "Wont you help to sing" and I think that that means wont you share the idea or thought of equality or freedom for everyone.

The second verse is about freeing your mind and when you free your mind you have to do it yourself and not let anyone else influence you. Also the line in that part "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery;" is taken from Marcus Garvey.Then he talks about the atomic energy and how you shouldn't be afraid of wars and bombs how they cant stop everything, stuff will still go on after. Then it says "How long shall they kill our prophets" and I assume that means killing there religious leaders and after that it talks about "We've got to fulfill the book" and that is about a religious book.

The third verse leads off with that line from Marcus Garvey again and you can assume that if he used that line over and over again either he liked Marcus Garvey and what he was doing or he just agreed with the line. He talks about the atomic energy and the prophets again. After that he sings "Won't you have to sing This songs of freedom?" and I think that means will you sing with him and make the voice louder and better.

Pictures

In the song Bob sings "Old pirates, yes they rob I, sold I to the merchant ships."

This picture shows how slaves on a boat and that is what bob is referring to what they robbed and sold.








Photo from: http://histclo.com

In the song Bob says, "Have no fear for atomic energy, cause none of them can stop time.

Which represents that no matter who bombs who or has war with each other that you should not be afraid.

Photo from: http://preaprez.files.wordpress.com

In the song Bob said "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our mind. 

Which represents that you should think for yourself and not let everyone always tell you whats right.







Photo from: http://blog.affiliatetip.com

Lyrics

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 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
This 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 fullfil the book.

Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

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 fullfil the book.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/redemption+song_20021829.html

Video

Bob Marley - Redemption Song

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 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
This 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 fullfil the book.

Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

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 fullfil the book.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.