Two Freedom Songs From The USA & Two Freedom Songs From South Africa

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Revised December 20, 2018; Three of the showcased videos/sound files have been replaced in this updated post. The previous title was "Freedom Songs From The United States And South Africa".]

This pancocojams post showcases videos of two songs from the United States and two songs from South Africa that have the word "freedom" in their titles. Both of the examples from the United States were favorite songs of the 1960s civil rights movement to secure equal rights and justice for African Americans. As such, these songs-which were reworkings of African American spirituals- were called "freedom songs" or "civil rights songs".

These songs are presented for their aesthetic, historical, and educational values. Enjoy and be inspired to make the world a better place for all!

UNITED STATES
Video #1: Oh Freedom! - The Golden Gospel Singers (Lyrics in Description)



Mackenzie's YouTube, Published on Dec 12, 2013

One of the best Civil Rights songs
Featured recently in an episode of American Horror Story: Coven

Lyrics:
Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom,
Oh freedom over me.
And before I'd be a slave
I'd be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free.

No more weepin,(don't you know), no more weepin,
no more weepin over me.
And before I'd be a slave
I'd be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free.

Oh freedom,
Oh, freedom, Oh, freedom,
Oh freedom over me.
And before I'd be a slave
I'd be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free.

And before I'd be a slave
I'd be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free.
-snip-
*The original video that was embedded in this post is no longer available and was replaced by this video on December 30, 2018.

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Video #2: "Can't Turn Me 'Round" (Civil Rights Song) performed by The Roots



djlightbolt, Published on Oct 1, 2010

From "Soundtrk 4 a Revolution"
-snip-
This video replaces a sound file that was originally embedded in this post.

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SOUTH AFRICA
Video #1: Sarafina Freedom Is Coming ["Freedom Is Coming Tomorrow"}]


FESTO HENRY MSANGAWALE, Published on Jun 4, 2013

find full movie to learn yourself about african liberation struggle, see how death of soweto youth in south africa was.
-snip-
Here's some information about the movie Sarafina from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarafina!_(film)
"Sarafina! is a 1992 South African-American film directed by Darrell Roodt and starring Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, Miriam Makeba, John Kani and Tertius Meintjies.

Plot
The plot centres on students involved in the Soweto Uprising, in opposition to the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools. The character Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) feels shame at her mother's (Miriam Makeba) acceptance of her role as domestic servant in a white household in apartheid South Africa, and inspires her peers to rise up in protest, especially after her inspirational teacher, Mary Masembuko (Whoopi Goldberg) is imprisoned. In the opening scene, Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) is seen talking while staring at Nelson Mandela's picture, at the time the South African icon was still imprisoned. In the latter scene Sarafina is again talking while staring at Mandela's picture on the wall, criticizing him for being gone for a long time and not responding to the nation's pleas, idolising him as someone who can change the horrific situation that the Black nation of South Africa is in."...
-snip-
Lyrics: FREEDOM IS COMING TOMORROW [Sarafina movie]

And If I don't live to see the day
You better believe it
I'll be there
This is my home and I'm here to stay

Freedom is coming tomorrow
Get ready mama prepare for your freedom
Freedom is coming tomorrow
Get ready mama prepare for your freedom

Yaahooo woza uzojaiva mama
Yaahooo woza uzojaiva mama
Yaahooo woza uzojaiva mama
Freedom is coming tomorrow

Freedom is coming tomorrow

Freedom is coming tomorrow

Hey
-snip-
"Yahooo" is an affirmative exclamation.

According to Google translates, "woza uzojaiva" is Zulu for "come and get it".

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Video #2: "Freedom" By Soweto Soleil, website - www.sowetosoleil.com.



Uploaded by SowetoSoleil on Nov 7, 2007

video clip won the best music video at the African Music Awards in Libreville, Gabon. This style of music is a combination of african, reggae and blues with a jazzy swag

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