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Bob Marley’s Redemption Song is one of the most heartfelt songs I’ve ever heard. It’s the simple combination of Marley and acoustic guitar and great lyrics. One afternoon while I was driving and listening to the radio I was bowled over by a version from an unlikely duo: the legendary Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer, former lead singer for The Clash. When Cash sings the word “redemption” I can imagine he’s remembering a stormy spiritual life battling his own demons.
There’s an added poignancy to their version; a year later in 2002, Strummer would die an early death and Cash would follow in 2003.
Click HERE to hear their stripped down version of the song, recorded back in 2001.
For a beautiful rendition by Bob Marley, click HERE.
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
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.
So
Won't you help to sing
These 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.
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. |
