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Submitted by webmaster on Tue, 03/16/2010 - 12:17
Labi Siffre - Something Inside So Strong
Posted by Mcr0gw
August 19, 2007
Video Description:
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labi_Siffre -"Labi Siffre (born 25 June 1945) is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of "(Something Inside) So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for Eminem’s breakthrough hit single "My Name Is"
Born the fourth of five children, at Queen Charlotte's Hospital Hammersmith, London to a British (Barbadian / Belgian) mother and a Nigerian father, Siffre was brought up in Bayswater and Hampstead and educated at a Catholic independent day school, St Benedict's School, in Ealing, West London
Siffre came out of self-imposed retirement from music in 1985 when he saw a television film from South Africa showing a white soldier shooting at black children. He wrote "(Something Inside) So Strong" (No. 4, 1987),[3] an anti-apartheid anthem, a song of defiance in the face of oppression and bigotry, a song of personal inner strength and more. The song has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre’s lyrics and poetry since the single “Thank Your Lucky Star” and the album “For the Children” (1973). It won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically", and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker's film against female genital mutilation: Warrior Marks. His stance on civil and human rights has further enhanced his reputation."...
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Contact
Email: jambalayah17@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2010-2011 Azizi Powell; All Rights Reserved
2 comments
Selected viewer comments from
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(1-500 out of 738 as of 1:30 PM 3/16/2010)
Noragirlie63 (1 year ago) this song is for abused people everywhere... regardless of what form it takes ... it says so much and is so much an anthem for so many of us all over the world .. in dark corners that need a little illumination ... What a guy Labi is - and he is so grounded and such a campaigner for the underdog .. a true hero!
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Noragirlie63 (1 year ago) Hi Mik - fancy 'seeing' you here! I love this guy - check out I got the...(blues)
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mik1234 (1 year ago) its a small world babe. lets see how far we can go and spread some peace and love. what you say?
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mik1234 (1 year ago) the studio version is better in my opinion, deeper, stronger, a classic made, should be an anthem for africa. beautiful!
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Mcr0gw (1 year ago) Hi mik1234. The Studio version is perfect, but this live performance adds a little more soul, I think. Just my opinion!!!
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internetwitch (1 year ago) Spam love love love the song
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propinlyfup (1 year ago) every wordsung in this, is worth holdin on to, and rememebr it in everythin u do
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Flubbersnuff (1 year ago) I love it when the audience sing the "olay olay olay" bit. IT seems to make Labi incredibly happy. I suppose there is no greater joy than having people understand and join in with a song that is trying to have a deep impact on soceity. It shows him that people really care
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nightwalker1971abc (1 year ago) i watched the video, listened to the song, it gave me goosebumps, he is amazing... thank you for posting
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twicedoubleyou (1 year ago) This is not (only) about Palestine or Apartheid, this is about an individual awareness....
Since I was a child this song was so special for me and it still makes me feel emotional because we all need and have this inner strength if only we believe. Look at Labi's face, it says enough...
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jed2731 (1 year ago) i rememer it the first time. still great. check out his poetry, thats good too.
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ahljlm08 (1 year ago) i love this song!
Siffre has an amazing voice! :)
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saltyball1 (1 year ago) These words are so true they give me strengh and make me realise i am strong and give me strengh when i feel low
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malteresa (1 year ago) Truly awesome song, such powerful lyrics and what a voice that man has!
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markustard (1 year ago) Such an emotive song,Bloody Splendid Senor!
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schrijfeenboek (1 year ago) extremely powerfull words, i wanna cry!
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Franna6949 (1 year ago) Not many songs bring you to your knees...Labi keep knocking them barriers down and something inside will never die ♥♥♥
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rintobhoy (1 year ago) 730am october 1985 this was on the radio when my da told me my nan had died....2008 and i still get a lump in my throat when i hear it.
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cyberminky64 (1 year ago) i'm singing this song in gospel choir; i love it!! :D
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dadsgurl996 (1 year ago) yea me 2 do we go 2 tha same school???
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pockets1964 (1 year ago) i love this song, my thoughts go back to how strong i had to stay during a very abusive marriage and how as a man i stayed strong and came out the other side and i still get very emotional with it, but watching the meaning the song was wrote for is heartbreaking to see that this still happens in this world in this era so sad please break all discrimination and bigotry in this world xx
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kkid28 (1 year ago) When I was between the ages 4-10 whenever I heard this song it always made me want to cry and most of the time I did. I used to feel as if my mum wasn't going to come home in the evening and it would break my little heart I would cry so hard thinking oh my goodness she's my whole world. Listening to this song now I'm 18 it makes me feel like crying sometimes but not as much and not for the same reasons as before. It's more of the fact that I understand the lyrics a whole lot more. GREAT Song.
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izzykym (1 year ago) the best meaning full song ever sung, hope is given even when you think every thing is at the worst it can get, it gaves me the hope and strengh to fight back x
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bildan0508 (1 year ago) dis tunes wicked it remeinds me of my uncle as it was is fav song it makes me cry enery time
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markustard (1 year ago) Inspirational man.Nothing is impossible.
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66mikedove99 (1 year ago) wow, what a great singer
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britainsgt09 (1 year ago) i love this song i got bullied once and did'nt go in to school but i listend to this song and i did'nt care i marched into school the next day amazing song
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MyCatEatsGuns (1 year ago) A timeless classic!
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babyhazel2k8 (1 year ago) great song ..i cried when i first heard it..well..every time i hear it i cry..because of the message..
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LadyV3lcR0 (1 year ago) Show Hide +2 Marked as spam Reply | Spam this has been my favourit song in the whole wide world lol
so many emotions
I LUV IT !!
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scouse1967 (1 year ago) What a song,such strong emotions in the lyrics.Love it so much.A+++++++++++
mathtimms (1 year ago) mirror's my life!...great performance,
strong song!
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nigelwilletts (1 year ago) wot a powerfull song peace 2 you all around the world no more killings peace 2 you all around the world xx
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harhom (1 year ago) it is not very often that a song like this comes along and gives you the shivers because it says it all. All!
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Creissels (1 year ago) Beautiful song and a wonderful man.
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PsychedelicPsuzie (1 year ago) This is the first time I've heard this. Great singer!
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THEREALMONEYMAKER (1 year ago) absolutely quality
a karoke favourite and a great song to match
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draoicht22 (1 year ago) odetta the folk singer legend who has just died did an amazing version of this on the liam clancy live at the bitter end dvd show.like a portal to the next world it was.
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edwinsartcom (1 year ago) I stay listening to this song, so poweful indeed. This is something we need to realize since real strength is indeed in yourself and not outside yourself as many of us tend to do.
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EetieD (1 year ago) This song is so powerful and so true for many of us in this time
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ImAG00n (1 year ago) 3:49 - 3:53 fail.
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FaffooMatt (1 year ago) so what...its a high note and its live, he put alot of effort and passion into it so shut it.
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Aardvarked88 (1 year ago) Anyone who's saying this Labi can't sing is an absolute moron.
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brendan51287 (1 year ago) You have all these people saying he cant sing. Cant sing? Im a metal fan, and im used to powererfull voices, but this? Raw emmotion, and if you honestly dont think he can sing, well....look at the crowd. You are the minority. we are the majority!
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gymlord (1 year ago) I wanna start a revolution after hearing this, what shall we revolt against people.
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StudentNurseSouthban (1 year ago) Gymlord. Perhaps you should spend a little less time in the gym and read a newspaper or watch the news. How about....erm...the current situation in Isreal, Zimbabwe, South America, China and Europe and America? Media Censorship, Discrimination, Racism, Poverty, Corruption?
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jessie11982 (1 year ago) one of the very few songs that actually gives me goosebumps
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archeryschool (1 year ago) The moment when the audience join in and sing the backing makes me smile. The look on his face is priceless... :O)
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kandieshow (1 year ago) we sing this song in my choir at my middle school i luv dis song
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ann19732009 (1 year ago) this song is amazing,pity everyone couldnt get along,we are all the same doesnt matter what colour we are,
we are all the same
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CaptainKubla (11 months ago) "this song is amazing,pity everyone couldnt get along,we are all the same doesnt matter what colour we are,
we are all the same "
Amen to that Ann.....some differences but ultimately I agree that we are all the same. You are a good person. Bless.
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RiPpAhern27 (1 year ago) this song is revolutionary. i can only imagine what life must have been like back then when he made this song wiht all the racism....considering now a days in the new millenium there is still alot of recism.
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SamFisher108 (1 year ago) 1:48 that connection with the crowd.
beautiful
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ianomahoney (1 year ago) i love you labri
More viewer comments from
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poldsmobile (1 year ago) this song is beyond inspirational. art of this calibre comes only too seldom, no honest person living in the western world can listen to this song and not feel at least a slight twinge of conscience for the comfortable life we live, our 'problems' pale into insignificance to those suffering the injustice of the tyrannical regimes of the southern African states, especially Zimbabwe.
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EnglishManNotIrish (11 months ago) He's lethal live!!!!
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Mumtie22 (1 year ago) poldsmoblie said it all for me.....we are so fortunate and sadly most of us dont know it....a week in sudan/anywhere in 3rd world..now that should be compulsary...perhaps we would not waste so much....this much we CAN do
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myinfamy (11 months ago) A beautiful haunting and mellifluous song about the evils of segregation in apartheid, and spitting in the face of prejudice. Popular karaoke song too.
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jamiebrown1977 (11 months ago) just how I imagine angels would sound
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bates1888 (11 months ago) the best thing about this song is that he isn't the greatest singer, but the way it is sung by him!
much love from Ireland
a country where this song is sung with PRIDE!
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ajg23p (11 months ago This my friends is the definition of "speaking the truth"
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adamdd03 (11 months ago) one of if not THE greatest song ever composed. i swear thi song probaly applies to so many people in the world. Love it
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doulikeguacamole (10 months ago) Absolutely amazing! Makes you feel invincible, what I'm all about this tune is!!
The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become! Ahmen to that brother!!!
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soraya72 (10 months ago) I just love it - so powerful so uplifting so amazing
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Chockabloke (10 months ago) 3.07 when he fixes on the camera is amazing. Stunning.
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xxfayerocks1995xx (10 months ago) I mean... just WOW. Can you get anything deeper than this? Labi is such a great singer!
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AndrewKFletcher (10 months ago) Labi You De Man! Absolutely awesome
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OnYerBike69 (10 months ago) We're gonna do it anyway..
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tonycums (10 months ago) Very nice....amazing...I love listening to this song on U-tube...& watching all the video's....
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sannesoccer (10 months ago) It is SOOOO Beautiful. WOWOW!!
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MsTina19 (10 months ago) this song is one inspiring song have had been depressed and listening to this song helps me to realise there is a future.
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antonbantoncanton (8 months ago) This song is one for the ages. Its so apt. Wherever there is struggle, the words of this song rings so true.
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bikerpetern (8 months ago) One of my favorite songs when I'm having a bad moment.
This song never fails to lift my spirits and gives me a boost. GREAT SONG !!
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Kanwulftyrael (8 months ago) Im crying :(
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francispounds (8 months ago) Labi will do that to you.
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tinksnothello (7 months ago) fantastic song, look inside your self and think of how relevant to your life this song could be
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taffadil1975 (7 months ago) FANTASTIC SONG......... ! ! ! ! !
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manchestermaiden (6 months ago) Although i can see why you think this amazing track is about racism, it is not,
Labi is one of the most amazing writers & activists for Gay rights :)
Harriet
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hpdaa (7 months ago) i love this song i can realy relate not coz of the shade of my skin but coz i have an autistic son people treat him the same was as this song says
coz he cant talk thy take away his right to speek
ok let the flames begin (that was for the trolls )
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Scorrpy (7 months ago) bless you for caring for him and looking after him....
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Orieoggnie (7 months ago) Awesome song!!! ...one of the best !!! ..... each word speaks volumes... thank you for posting it so that we all can enjoy.
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poldsmobile (7 months ago) 3:30 - look at how he's touched the audience, with just a voice and a keyboard, this is very pure music, very rare.
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taffadil1975 (7 months ago) one of the classic of our time....
andythevillafan (7 months ago) made the hairs of my neck stand up
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81paggio (6 months ago) i think dis song is a timeless classic and what a preformer id say the people in the concert had chills listen to this what a show
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manchestermaiden (6 months ago) I can understand why many of you think this song is about racism but it is very much about him being a well known Gay activist, those of you that our touched by his words should read his poetry & speeches he is an amazing writer his ability to bring emotions to the surface is next to none,
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legomaxi (6 months ago) Siffre wrote this song in 1985 when he saw a television documentary from South Africa showing a white soldier shooting at black children. He wrote "(Something Inside) So Strong an anti Apartheid anthem, a song of defiance in the face of oppression and bigotry, a song of personal inner strength
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justinmoonboot (6 months ago) who cares? Race creed colour or kind???
so he is gay... tell me somefing I don`t know...
This song is personal and can be interperted in o many different ways & has over the years..
just enjoy it coz I rekon itz the best!!!
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justinmoonboot (6 months ago) btw well said legomaxi
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legomaxi (6 months ago) That's the beauty about music especially this song it can resonate with anyone in whatever circumstance /situation. Vivre Labi Siffre
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johncrow1979 (6 months ago) this song will always have its own meaning for who ever is listening to it.but legomaxi is right that the reason the song was wrote
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81paggio (5 months ago) it dosnot mater really what the song is bout every boby has there own veiw on what the words mean its just a nice song timeless classic
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Dimyonska (4 months ago) a wonderful liberation song written while Mandela was in jail by an openly gay man... which cannot but be an inspiration to lesbian and gay people. The magnificence of this song is that it speaks beyond that to anyone involved in working for their liberation.
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sharmina786 (4 months ago) i learned this song in my school sooooooooooooo nice it makes me cry...... o my god!!!!! :)
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weepixie1 (3 months ago) Simply outstanding . The lyrics mean as much today as they did when it was penned . An insperational song for all the oppressed in this world .
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danosimp24 (3 months ago) WOW! powerful stuff what a song means so much to so many.
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FreedomSaoirse (2 months ago) From the heart,This song is SPECIAL
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NorthernFella (2 months ago) brillant song so appropiate for people wanting equal rights! A gay black south african guy at the time of Appartied!
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ih8chalk (2 months ago) English actually
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colinjohnlowth (2 months ago) Sad guy Northern Fella, no offence but there are a lot of older people who love this guy - he articulated our hopes and fears in our younger years, and I will not stand for your self-important simplification of his importance. LS was one of the very few most important messengers of our generation...
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wordreet (1 month ago) Stunning! One of the most powerful songs of the last 50 years.
Heard this on the radio today and had to search YT for Labi live.
Superb voice, and wow the song!
Thanks for sharing.
5/5
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jbenno10 (1 month ago) a freind died the other day,, he was a kareoke DJ and god rest his sole he sang this every time he was doin a gig,, and he nailed i everytime,, sad
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helen291282 (1 month ago) my mam died last week, she was only 47 and had battled with blood cancer for 2 and 1/2 years. we played this song at her funeral yesterday. its beautiful but makes me cry!
5079al (1 month ago) God bless you Helen, the pain will get easier with time and peace.
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SuperTheGeek (1 month ago my heart goes out to you helen.
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Mrdeanlock (1 month ago) Sorry hear tat.... amazin song.
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snrchat (1 month ago) Dont make me cry
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crackeagle (1 month ago) Sorry to hear Helen, be strong.
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Chandranibose (4 weeks ago) Sorry to hear that Helen - sending kind thoughts.
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helen291282 (2 weeks ago) thank you for all your kind comments, it is a beautiful song, one that will always be in my familys heart. i know what the song is about but i think personally it can be applied to just about everything and everyone x
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snrchat (1 week ago) yep
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nuindaLIB (1 month ago) there are times where ur resolve starts to crumble and u think you cant go on............. its songs like this that can keep you going. remember what doesn't kill u makes u stronger
helen keep on pushing time & peace will strengthen u ^_^
spowieuk (1 month ago) defo sorry 2 hear that, time and the Lord are the great healers. This is the perfect tribute. Take care and God Bless
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hollylucyjacob (1 month ago) hells bells keep ya chin up sweety and remember this song in a good way xxx
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helen291282 (2 weeks ago) thank you x
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LordHewing (1 month ago) Those of us that are old enough heard this song growing up, and no doubt many of us thought good song, great lyrics and a powerful inspiration to Black (is it ok to say black?) people everywhere that were being victimized and persecuted in Africa and around the world. Little did we think that one day we would all need to take inspiration and strength from it because all our rights and freedoms are being taken away. It's clear to me that evil was and is at work. We must DESTROY IT!!!
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sohoscribbler (3 days ago) In a perfect world, Labi would be bigger than Madonna.
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snrchat (1 day ago) yep, i agree
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ma6kw (2 days ago) Legend!!