December 5th of this year 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. For those of us that grew up in unjust era of South African Apartheid rule, Mandela represented the unwavering fight for freedom despite personal sacrifice and hardship.
I must admit that in the early 80s, even though the South African situation was gaining notoriety throughout North America, it wasn't until I heard the song by Specials AKA in spring 1984 that I began to really appreciate Nelson Mandela's plight.
The original Specials ska 2-tone band had splintered by 1982, but under Jerry Dammers vision and Elvis Costello's incomparable production, a disturbing single was released two years later that captured the frustrations of many who were calling for an end to Apartheid rule, the release of ANC leader Nelson Mandela and a democratically run government that recognized the equal rights of black South African population.
The lyrics affected me in a powerful manner when I first heard the song, every time I subsequently listened to it and especially after Mandela had passed away. The plaintive cries to "FREE" Nelson Mandela, the 21 years of captivity and abuse, the shoes to small to fit his feet and ignoring the evil that persisted for far too long.
Despite world-wide condemnation and economic sanctions against Apartheid government, it would take another painful SIX YEARS before Nelson Mandela would be released, for a total 28 difficult years in captivity!!!!! He was 71 years old when he became a free man once again, and he made up for lost time in a BIG way. The rest was history in the making. End of Apartheid, democratic elections for all South Africans and Mandela as President 1994-1999.
For many of us, this song was the powder keg that raised our collective consciousness of this great man's struggle for equality. R.I.P. Nelson!
Free Nelson Mandela
Free, Free, Free, Nelson Mandela
Free Nelson Mandela
Twenty-one years in captivity
His shoes too small to fit his feet
His body abused but his mind is still free
Are you so blind that you cannot see
I say Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you
Free Nelson Mandela
He pleaded the causes of the ANC
Only one man in a large army
Are you so blind that you cannot see
Are you so deaf that you cannot hear his plea
Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela
Twenty-one years in captivity
Are you so blind that you cannot see
Are you so deaf that you cannot hear
Are you so dumb that you cannot speak
I say Free Nelson Mandela
I'm begging you
Oh free Nelson Mandela, free
Nelson Mandela I'm begging you
begging you Please free Nelson Mandela
free Nelson Mandela
I'm telling you, you've got to free Nelson Mandela
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