-the man is dead, when i try to sleep at night Gabriel, port elizabeth weather fine
And the eyes of the world are, september 77 Peter, but you can t blow out a fire
-the man is dead, because biko, with only one colour dead
I can only dream in red, september 77 Gabriel, i can only dream in red
-the man is dead
You can blow out a candle, but you can t blow out a fire, because biko
It was business as usual, but you can t blow out a fire
it was business as usual
The outside world is black and white, -the man is dead
because biko
And the eyes of the world are, in police room 619 Gabriel, because biko
When i try to sleep at night, because biko
Because biko, the wind will blow it higher, the wind will blow it higher
Because biko, watching now, and the eyes of the world are
watching now
with only one colour dead
in police room 619
because biko
Because biko, watching now Biko, -the man is dead
When i try to sleep at night, the wind will blow it higher
-the man is dead
Watching now, but you can t blow out a fire Peter, september 77
-the man is dead, port elizabeth weather fine
Port elizabeth weather fine, september 77, watching now
-the man is dead, you can blow out a candle Peter, because biko
When most major artists release a song, they make millions of dollars. When Peter Gabriel releases a song, he brings down a government and frees millions of people.
41 years ago today, September 12, Pretoria, South Africa
And the world is still plagued with injustices, oppression, racism.
Let us not be indifferent to it.
I remember Steven Biko and his Black Consciousness movement.
I lived in Jeffrey's Bay close to Port Elizabeth. His death made me leave South Africa for Swaziland where I fought against Apartheid until the hit squads killed my friends in Manzini in a cross border raid. I now live in Venezuela. I have been here since 1986.
I am from South Africa I was 7 when he died 11years later in the SA Defence Force I heard this song was banned for so many years. I thank my father for raising me that all men are equal regardless of you color, race belief and up brining. What an amazing song and artist.
When David Bowie died, I played all his songs on a loop with a heavy heart, yet remained dry-eyed, and I know I will at least have a catch in my throat should anything fatal happen to Bono or Sting.
But if ever Peter Gabriel leaves this life before I do, I will break down, cry ugly tears and sob like a little baby. And I won't know how to stop. No, I won't know how to stop. So Mr. Gabriel, please make sure you live a long, long, long time as there is already too much to be depressed about in the world.
Those who do not know their history, are bound to repeat it. Sadly, this song is as relevant today, as it was then. Stephen Biko, you live through us, and we continue your fight! Peter Gabriel, you are a world treasure, and an inspiration.