Solomon Burke: None of us are Free

In 2002, the late Solomon Burke recorded the album “Don’t Give up on Me.” Featured on that CD was a cut co-authored by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Brenda Russell entitled “None of us are Free.” The song was featured on the final episode of House, M.D.’s second season. I caught this about a week ago when one of the networks was doing a House marathon.

Solomon Burke is one of the best, but underrated, soul musicians of the 1960s. While he never had a Top 20 hit, his songs inspired a generation. This particular cut also features the Blind Boys of Alabama on back-up vocals. I particularly like the Hammond B3 organ parts and the fact this song in F minor ends on an F major chord.

Solomon Burke passed away on October 10, 2010 and the world at that time lost one of its best song stylists.

Lyrics

Well you better listen my sisters and brothers,
'Cause if you do, you can hear
There are voices still calling across the years.
And they're all crying across the ocean,
And they're cryin’ across the land,
And they will till we all come to understand.

None of us are free.
None of us are free.
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

And there are people still in darkness,
And they just can't see the light.
If you don't say it’s wrong, then that says it right.
We got try to feel for each other, let our brothers know that we care.
Got to get the message, send it out loud and clear.

None of us are free.
None of us are free.
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

It's a simple truth we all need, just to hear and to see.
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

Now I swear your salvation isn't too hard to find,
None of us can find it on our own (on our own).
We've got to join together in spirit, heart, and mind.
So that every soul who's suffering will know we’re not alone.

Oh, none of us are free.
None of us are free, y’all
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

If you just look around you,
You’re gonna see what I say.
Cause the world is getting smaller each passing day (passing day).
Now it’s time to start making changes,
And it’s time for us all to realize,
That the truth is shining real bright right before our eyes (before our eyes).

None of us are free.
None of us are free.
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

Oh, none of us are free.
None, none, none of us (None of us are free)
Oh, none one of us
(None of us are free, if one of us is chained) Well, well,
Well, once again

(None of us are free) None of us are free
(None of us are free) None of us are free
(None of us are free, if one of us is chained) one of us, none of us, one of us

(None of us are free) Lord, have mercy
(None of us are free) Oh, let me save you
(None of us are free, if one of us is chained)
If one of us is chained, none of us are free.
Well, I gotta tell about it

(None of us are free) Oh my, my, my
(None of us are free) My, my Lord
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

None of us, none of us, none of us are free.
None of us are free.
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.

None of us are free.
None of us are free, no
None of us are free, (if one of us is chained), oh, Lord
(None of us are free) oh, Lord

None of us are free.
(None of us are free)
None of us are free, if one of us is chained.
None of us are free.