Redemption Song

Factual Questions
1

In the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, we hear the line:

Have no fear for atomic energy
Cause none of them can stop the time

Was accidently stopping time, due to meddling with atomic forces we didn’t understand, ever a widespread fear? Propaganda? By whom? Why?

Or was it simply a more figurative allusion, without historical significance, to something along the lines of Rita’s quote (from the same link, above) that “There was a feeling of a whole era coming to a climax. Everyone felt that he knew something was going to happen”?

Thanks

2

I vote B.

3

Yeah, I vote B too, but I’d still like to know if there is any historical significance or if it’s purely figurative.

4

Well, I’d vote B as well. But, although I like Bob Marley’s music, he experienced lyrical difficulties at times. The original release of Redemption Song had the line “Emancipate yourself from anti-slavery” which I doubt truly expressed Mr. Marley’s sentiments on the subject.

So, who knows?

5

I know next to nothing about Bob Marley, but I always thought that line was “emancipate yourself from mental slavery”.

6

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds

This makes perfect sense.

7

The lyric was changed after the original release - undoubtably more than a few people brought it to the producers’ attention.

8

cite?

9

Most of Bob Marley’s songs clearly reflect his strong religious views. I always thought that Redemption song showed how the actions of man don’t change God’s plan. Hence the title and the fact nuclear weapons (egotism of man etc) don’t matter in the bigger scheme of things.

10

What Dr. paprika said.

It’s an illusion to the “time” when…

i.e. the end time, the coming of Jesus

11

Thanks Diogenes and Dr_Paprika.

I hadn’t considered that “the time” could refer to the second coming.