Redemption Song

"Redemption Song" was the last track on Bob Marley's final album, Uprising. It was also the last song performed at Marley's final concert. Marley was a pioneer in spreading the reggae music of Jamaica throughout the world; however "Redemption Song" is a simple folk song. At the time he wrote the song, circa 1979, Marley had already been diagnosed with the cancer that was to later take his life, and according to Rita Marley, he was already, secretly, in a lot of pain, and was dealing with his own mortality, a feature which is clearly apparent on the album, and particularly on this song. The song, unlike most of Marley's songs, took on his Rastafarian religious convictions head on, but also urges people to free themselves from their self-imposed mental shackles. The song has been deemed by many as one of greatest songs of all time, and has been covered by a wide and varied group of artists, including Lauryn Hill, U2, Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder and Christy Moore, which in itself bears testament to the huge fan base Marley had, and also the power of the song itself. At the 'Tribute to Heroes' concert, the concert held after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Wyclef Jean sang the song while drapped in an American flag.

The Name

The name Redemption Song has been widely used also, mainly in a black, or African American context. For example, Mike Marqusee's book on Muhammad Ali was called Redemption Song, as was Bertice Berry's book about a book dealer who specialises in African American literature.

Sound samples

 

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