Lyrics
Old pirates, yes, they rob I,
Refers to past oppressors or conquerors
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Describes being sold into servitude or captivity
Minutes after they took I
Immediately after being taken
From the bottomless pit.
Suggests a place of despair or hopelessness
But my hand was made strong
Despite adversity, one's resolve was strengthened
By the hand of the Almighty.
Attributing strength to a higher power
We forward in this generation
Progressing through time with success
Triumphantly.
Triumphantly moving forward with resilience
Won't you help to sing
Invitation to join in advocating freedom
These songs of freedom?
Encouraging the singing of freedom-themed songs
'Cause all I ever have:
Expressing possessions limited to these songs of redemption
Redemption songs,
Songs focused on finding deliverance or salvation
Redemption songs.
Reiteration of the importance of redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,
Encouragement to break free from mental enslavement
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Self-empowerment to liberate one's own mind
Have no fear for atomic energy,
No fear of destructive forces as they cannot control time
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
Belief that no one can halt the passage of time
How long shall they kill our prophets,
Questioning the duration of oppression against leaders
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Expressing frustration at inaction during these killings
Some say it's just a part of it,
Suggesting acceptance of the situation
We've got to fulfill the Book.
Perceived duty to fulfill a predetermined destiny
Won't you help to sing
Invitation again to join in singing freedom songs
These songs of freedom?
Reiteration of the importance of these songs
'Cause all I ever have:
Ownership of only having these redemption songs
Redemption songs,
Refocusing on the theme of redemption songs
Redemption songs,
Repetition emphasizing the significance of redemption songs
Redemption songs.
Continued emphasis on the importance of these songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,
Encouragement to break free from mental slavery, repeated
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Reiteration of self-empowerment for mental liberation
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
Reassurance against the fear of destructive forces
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
Confidence that time cannot be controlled by anyone
How long shall they kill our prophets,
Reiteration of the duration of oppression against leaders
While we stand aside and look?
Expressing frustration at passive observation of oppression
Yes, some say it's just a part of it,
Reiteration of a resigned acceptance of the situation
We've got to fulfill the book.
Belief in the necessity of fulfilling a predetermined fate
Won't you have to sing
Request to participate in singing freedom songs, repeated
These songs of freedom?
Reiteration of the importance of singing these songs
'Cause all I ever had,
Reflection on possession limited to redemption songs
Redemption songs,
Focus on the essence of redemption songs
All I ever had,
Repetition emphasizing the possession of only these songs
Redemption songs,
Continued emphasis on the essence of redemption songs
These songs of freedom,
Emphasis on the nature of these songs as being about freedom
Songs of freedom.
Reiteration of these songs being about freedom
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