Sing Our Own Song (1986)

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Sing Our Own Song is a song and single written and performed by British group UB40. [1] It featured backing singers Jaki Graham, Mo Birch and Ruby Turner.[1]

Key Lyrics

When the ancient drum rhythms ring

The voice of our forefathers sings

Forward Africa run

Our day of freedom has come

For me and for you

Amandla Awethu


We will fight for the right to be free

We will build our own society

And we will sing, we will sing

We will sing our own song

Background and Interpretation

The song was written as an anti-apartheid song and was censored in South Africa. Featuring the ANC rallying cry of "Amandla Awethu", it is considered a protest song of the time.[2][3]

Sing Our Own Song highlighting the racial segregation in South Africa that started in 1652 when they first annexed by The Dutch. Many people that involved in apartheid rule sincerely thought of themselves as moral, upright citizens despite doing what people now see as very cruel. The song also highlighting how the racial segregation strengthen the bond within South Africa people by inserting the word "Amandla Awethu", which was the rallying cry of the African National Congress party. It is Zulu and Xhosa for “Power to us” (synonymous with “Power to the People!”).[4]

Reception

Sing Our Own Song was released in 1986 it reached 5, on the UK charts, staying for nine weeks. It made 1 on the Dutch charts in 1986.[5]

Reference

  1. "Sing Our Own Song". Discogs. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. "Avoid the censored songs". SABC Media Libraries. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  3. "UB40". The Biography Channel. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  4. Sing Our Own Song. Genius. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  5. "UK Official charts - UB40". www.officialscharts.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.