Steven Malcolm - Redemption Song Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Verse 1
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 hand of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Chorus
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Verse 2
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 fulfill the Book
Chorus
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Verse 3
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 fulfill the Book
Chorus
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Outro
Songs of freedom
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Video
Steven Malcolm - Redemption Song (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Steven Malcolm's "Redemption Song," released on January 25, 2019, as part of his album *The Second City*, stands as a powerful declaration of spiritual freedom, masterfully reinterpreting a revered anthem through a lens of faith and divine liberation. From its very pulse, the song draws listeners into a narrative of overcoming deep-seated oppression, reflecting a journey from captivity to triumph made possible by an unwavering trust in the Almighty. It's a profound exploration of what it means to be truly free, not just from physical bonds but from the insidious chains of mental and spiritual enslavement, presenting a message that resonates deeply with the core tenets of Christian belief.
The song's profound story begins with vivid imagery of past oppression, referencing "old pirates" who "rob I" and sell to "merchant ships," taking from a "bottomless pit." This powerful allegory, while drawing from historical injustices, translates profoundly into the spiritual reality of humanity's fall and subsequent enslavement to sin and worldly systems. Just as Romans 6:16 speaks of becoming "slaves of the one whom you obey," whether sin or righteousness, this opening verse paints a picture of being bound by forces outside oneself. However, the narrative swiftly shifts from despair to divine intervention: "But my hand was made strong / By the hand of the Almighty." This direct acknowledgment of God's power is the linchpin of the entire song, mirroring numerous scriptural assurances like Psalm 18:32, which declares, "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way blameless," or Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This strength empowers the believer to "forward in this generation / Triumphantly," a declaration of victory that echoes Romans 8:37, affirming that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." The recurring chorus, "Won't you help to sing / These songs of freedom? / 'Cause all I ever have / Redemption songs," serves as both an invitation and a testament, revealing that the ultimate treasure possessed by the redeemed is the very freedom granted by Christ, a freedom spoken of in John 8:36: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is the essence of redemption, a liberation from sin and death into a new life in God, as Colossians 1:13-14 beautifully describes.
The message deepens in the subsequent verses, issuing a direct challenge to "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery / None but ourselves can free our minds." While this might initially sound self-reliant, within the context of faith, it powerfully underscores the active role believers must play in their spiritual journey. It's an urgent call to embrace the freedom already purchased by Christ, by actively renewing our minds according to God's Word, as Romans 12:2 instructs, and taking "every thought captive to obey Christ" as commanded in 2 Corinthians 10:5. This is not about self-sufficiency, but about choosing to walk in the divine liberation that has been provided. The song then broadens its scope, stating, "Have no fear for atomic energy / 'Cause none of them can stop the time," a profound affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, fears, and man-made threats. This resonates with Matthew 10:28, which encourages us not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but rather to fear God alone. It speaks to the unyielding progression of God's divine plan and purposes, which no human force can ever derail. The song then delivers a poignant question and declaration: "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." This serves as a potent challenge against spiritual apathy and calls believers to courageously stand for truth, referencing the persecution faced by God's messengers throughout history, as seen in Matthew 23:37 and Acts 7:51-53. "Fulfill the Book" is a resounding charge to live out God's commands, to embody the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, and to be active participants in His unfolding redemptive narrative, rather than passive observers.
Ultimately, "Redemption Song" by Steven Malcolm is far more than a musical track; it is a prophetic anthem, a stirring call to embrace the liberating power of Christ and to live out that freedom with purpose and conviction. It inspires listeners to recognize their spiritual heritage as redeemed individuals and to actively participate in the ongoing work of God's kingdom. Through its insightful lyrical adaptation and Malcolm's impassioned delivery, the song powerfully reminds us that true freedom is found only in the Almighty, and that our lives are meant to be a living testament to these "redemption songs," shared triumphantly with a world yearning for release.