Redemption Song
Close look at Bon Marley’s Redemption song
“Redemption song” was written and sang by the legendary Bob Marley. He was known as a reggae artist who mostly sang about social and political issues. His songs touched people all around the world. This song particularly, could be interpreted in so many ways; quite literally, it could be regarded to some people as a song about slavery in the 18th and 19th century. But the way the message in the song is delivered, the repetition of some key words and the artist’s main message through out his career, indicates that this is a song about being a slave to the modern world where many of us feel almost hopeless.
The first element is the delivery of the song. The beginning could easily mislead the reader and give an impression to set the tone for the whole song. Bob tells a story and uses words like: “old pirates”, “sold I” and “merchant ships,” historically referring to the European slavers trading Africans with certain traitor African dealers. In this first part of the song, the artist gives a vivid picture by telling a story in first-person. Black slaves used to sing Negro spirituals, while or after work, to comfort and motivate themselves through their suffering. They would also sing about freedom, restlessly hoping to get out of the misery. “We forward in this generation Triumphantly” explains how their dreams and constant beliefs came to life, by the abolition on slavery in America. The Artist highlights on the importance of these freedom songs that led to the liberation of a large group people and how it can be used in today’s society.
As the song continues, Bob Marley changes the course of the story and brings us back in present time. With the word choice:” We forward in this generation,” the singer is talking about actual issues that we can work on with the lessons from the past. As the song progresses, he goes on to say:” Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none
“Redemption song” was written and sang by the legendary Bob Marley. He was known as a reggae artist who mostly sang about social and political issues. His songs touched people all around the world. This song particularly, could be interpreted in so many ways; quite literally, it could be regarded to some people as a song about slavery in the 18th and 19th century. But the way the message in the song is delivered, the repetition of some key words and the artist’s main message through out his career, indicates that this is a song about being a slave to the modern world where many of us feel almost hopeless.
The first element is the delivery of the song. The beginning could easily mislead the reader and give an impression to set the tone for the whole song. Bob tells a story and uses words like: “old pirates”, “sold I” and “merchant ships,” historically referring to the European slavers trading Africans with certain traitor African dealers. In this first part of the song, the artist gives a vivid picture by telling a story in first-person. Black slaves used to sing Negro spirituals, while or after work, to comfort and motivate themselves through their suffering. They would also sing about freedom, restlessly hoping to get out of the misery. “We forward in this generation Triumphantly” explains how their dreams and constant beliefs came to life, by the abolition on slavery in America. The Artist highlights on the importance of these freedom songs that led to the liberation of a large group people and how it can be used in today’s society.
As the song continues, Bob Marley changes the course of the story and brings us back in present time. With the word choice:” We forward in this generation,” the singer is talking about actual issues that we can work on with the lessons from the past. As the song progresses, he goes on to say:” Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none
References: and Sources • http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/rastafarianism.htm. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2012 • Redemption song. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/redemption+song_20021829.html • FAIGIN, TOM. NEGRO SPIRITUALS: SONGS OF SURVIVAL. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.jsfmusic.com/Uncle_Tom/Tom_Article3.html>. • Bob Marley Legacy and Influence in Music Continues to Produce a Huge Stream of Revenue for His Estate.. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. http://www.rasta-man-vibration.com/bob-marley-legacy.html