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Solomon Burke — None Of Us Are Free
Album: Don't Give Up On Me
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2578









Released: 2002
Length: 5:21
Plays (last 30 days): 0
One, two, three

Well you better listen my sister's 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 are 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 brother's 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 are 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 too find,
None of us can find it on our own. (On our own)
We've got to join together in sprirt, heart and mind.
So that every soul who's suffering will know they're not alone.

Oh, none of us are free.
None of us are free, yo
None of us are free, if one of us are chained.
None of us are free.

If you just look around you,
Your 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, ma ma ma
(None of us are free) Ma ma 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.
Comments (379)add comment
 Burg wrote:

For a puritan like me it is difficult to listen for minutes on end to a grammatically incorrect line. Anxiously waiting for a cover ‘None of us IS free'.




From the Oxford Online dictionary:

"It is sometimes held that none can only take a singular verb, never a plural verb: none of them is coming tonight rather than none of them are coming tonight. There is little justification, historical or grammatical, for this view. None is descended from Old English nān meaning ‘not one’ and has been used for around a thousand years with both a singular and a plural verb, depending on the context and the emphasis needed."
I'm amused by the confidently incorrect grammarians in this thread.  "None ARE free" is absolutely correct grammatically, since as another person pointed out "none" is a plural word, the same as "some."  Do people actually think that "some of us IS free" sounds correct grammatically?  No.  You'd say "Some of us are free" or in this case "None of us are free."
 sergioso wrote:

no sr., ninguno de nosotros lo es....



Seguro, cada uno nosotros tiene una bolla y una cadena
 JanzieNL wrote:

NONE OF US ARE FREE  <—- because of the Federal Reserve Bank and the IRS 

We are all slaves 





100%  -- for all you downvoters who own a house, tell us what happens when you stop paying your property taxes...are you really free?  Doesn't matter what color you are either.

Also, this song = 9
no sr., ninguno de nosotros lo es....
 lizardking wrote:

This song continues to stop me in my tracks, often requiring me to listen to it several times through out the day (like I did a few weeks ago) and I'll say again that the 'grammar' issue is not there for me; really WHO THE HELL CARES about grammar when we are talking about oppression of the COLLECTIVE US in the world.  

RIP Solomon, you gave us some great tunes and this one is one of my all-time favs. 

Long Live RP!!



I Agree!!   On all counts!
 Burg wrote:

For a puritan like me it is difficult to listen for minutes on end to a grammatically incorrect line. Anxiously waiting for a cover ‘None of us IS free'.




Poetic license completely passed you by?
{#Cool}
GREAT TUNE!
As relevant today as it was 20 years ago or a 100
 Jelani wrote:
Anyway, I think we've all got it wrong; it's actually- None of us AM free, if one of us BE chained.
 Few of us is edjumafied.

 martin1451 wrote:
Dat backing vocals...
 
That's The Blind Boys of Alabama. They're pretty good... 
c.
 jimtyrrell wrote:
I first heard this in a collection by Putamio which has always been a lifeline to great diverse music. I bought it starbucks.
 
Putumayo has no doubt changed the musical viewpoint of a lot of people -myself  definitely included. 
I first heard this in a collection by Putamio which has always been a lifeline to great diverse music. I bought it starbucks.
11!!

"None of us are free, if one of us are chained." 
 Laptopdog wrote:
Powerful message. Timeless music.
 
Ray Charles said:  "Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond."


Powerful message. Timeless music.
You all should hear Widespread Panic cover this tune live. Scorcher!
 Stodoroff wrote:
Great song, great message. Thanks for playing!
 
This song continues to stop me in my tracks, often requiring me to listen to it several times through out the day (like I did a few weeks ago) and I'll say again that the 'grammar' issue is not there for me; really WHO THE HELL CARES about grammar when we are talking about oppression of the COLLECTIVE US in the world.  

RIP Solomon, you gave us some great tunes and this one is one of my all-time favs. 

Long Live RP!!
Amazed that Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill wrote this one. They, along with their colleagues, Goffin and King, were just so extraordinarily prolific
Great song, great message. Thanks for playing!
Dat backing vocals...
 benhardt57 wrote:
Yet another 'victim' song. I thought maybe the song was from the 50s. Nope, 2002.
 
It would appear you either haven't read the lyrics, or haven't understood them.
 Turn up your hearing aid!

satkinson wrote:
I'm a grammar pedant too as my dad corrected me from an early age (it finally sank in during my twenties!). So hearing this really grates! None of us is free. Grrrr! The song would be all right otherwise.

 

 benhardt57 wrote:
Yet another 'victim' song. I thought maybe the song was from the 50s. Nope, 2002.

 
note quite, originally released in 1993 by Ray Charles (getting little attention) - Solomon Burke and the Blind Boys of Alabama got the acclaim after the 2002 release b/c it was on an episode of House, MD. 

Yet another 'victim' song. I thought maybe the song was from the 50s. Nope, 2002.
Perhaps but getting divorced sure helped
Weirdos of the world...alright...
NONE OF US ARE FREE  <—- because of the Federal Reserve Bank and the IRS 

We are all slaves 


 papajoe_aiea wrote:
Yeah, sorry.  Pretty much done with this song.  Dropping it down to 3.

 
Wow! Just think of all the sleep I'm going to miss out on worrying about your rating.
You can say that again Solomon.
smooth move Bill
Yeah, sorry.  Pretty much done with this song.  Dropping it down to 3.
 Bobert_ParkCity wrote:

Gil Scott is dead....but last I noticed, revolutions are televised (see, Egypt, 2011). Or at least on twitter....

Use the web for change!

Peace.

ps what  is Cf. ?

 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cf.
"While there is a lower class, I am in it; and while there is a criminal element, I am of it; and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free."
- Eugene V. Debs
 Reference.
Bobert_ParkCity wrote:

Gil Scott is dead....but last I noticed, revolutions are televised (see, Egypt, 2011). Or at least on twitter....

Use the web for change!

Peace.

ps what  is Cf. ?

 


This is a good version; I believe Ray Charles originally recorded it around 1993.  I guess Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil will have to be contacted about their grammatical error by one of the folks here.
 4merdj wrote:
Dear Mr. Burke,

I agree with you ... "None of us can find it on our own.
I hope you are now in the presence of the only one who leads to true freedom! {#Sunny} 

 
Harriet Tubman?
This is making me hungry for some Blind Boys of Alabama music.
 pinto wrote:

So basically what he's saying is that none of us are free?

 
..it's not called a mortal-coil for nothin
Gospel roots of soul in a modern recording from an early soul innovator.

Thanks for the play!
Dear Mr. Burke,

I agree with you ... "None of us can find it on our own.
I hope you are now in the presence of the only one who leads to true freedom! {#Sunny} 
Iʻm liking it...{#Bananapiano}
 timelessart wrote:
I think some people need hobbies
 
  
calypsus_1 wrote:

.............The Police - Walking On The Moon
The Wailin' Jennys - Storm Comin'
Solomon Burke - None Of Us Are Free
S.E. Rogie - Kpindigbee
Jerry Douglas - Route Irish
Dire Straits - Single Handed Sailor
Counting Crows - Anna Begins................

Well, I think there will be no radio stations around the world, presenting a "set" (30 min.) equal or even similar. Why? There may be many whys .... or do not know, or do not want, or are not interested, or lack of independence, or is not profitable (market dependency). Or all reasons combined. RP is different. "None Of Us Are Free". Is true. Like says no one are completly independent. Because we are subject, permanently, changes and alterations, that is the nature of the world in which we live. But, it is proven, it is possible to combine all the factors, market, industry, diversity, entertainment, without losing the "cable", without losing "sight", without sacrificing the values, artistic quality, memories, authenticity, tradition, talent, innovation, harmony. Because it takes know-how & art. When it seems that everything is already done, everything is invented, this is a terrible mistake. Because you have to pass the "baton" to new generations. You need to reinvent. Music can not be just an entertainment factor. This is reductive and alienating. Music can not or should become, to submit to a mere product of industrial manufacturing, and its creators in some "automata" handlers of electronic artifacts. The music has to have soul. Music has always, to be associated with the culture of the peoples in all its aspects, social, cultural, historical, political, spiritual. Only then will reach its goal. Producing well-being and satisfaction to those who hear and feel. This requires "know-how" and Art.

 
In particular...

.............The Police - Walking On The Moon
The Wailin' Jennys - Storm Comin'
Solomon Burke - None Of Us Are Free
S.E. Rogie - Kpindigbee
Jerry Douglas - Route Irish
Dire Straits - Single Handed Sailor
Counting Crows - Anna Begins................

Well, I think there will be no radio stations around the world, presenting a "set" (30 min.) equal or even similar. Why? There may be many whys .... or do not know, or do not want, or are not interested, or lack of independence, or is not profitable (market dependency). Or all reasons combined. RP is different. "None Of Us Are Free". Is true. Like says no one are completly independent. Because we are subject, permanently, changes and alterations, that is the nature of the world in which we live. But, it is proven, it is possible to combine all the factors, market, industry, diversity, entertainment, without losing the "cable", without losing "sight", without sacrificing the values, artistic quality, memories, authenticity, tradition, talent, innovation, harmony. Because it takes know-how & art. When it seems that everything is already done, everything is invented, this is a terrible mistake. Because you have to pass the "baton" to new generations. You need to reinvent. Music can not be just an entertainment factor. This is reductive and alienating. Music can not or should become, to submit to a mere product of industrial manufacturing, and its creators in some "automata" handlers of electronic artifacts. The music has to have soul. Music has always, to be associated with the culture of the peoples in all its aspects, social, cultural, historical, political, spiritual. Only then will reach its goal. Producing well-being and satisfaction to those who hear and feel. This requires "know-how" and Art.


I think some people need hobbies
 
 velocette wrote:

Not in the prison-industrial state. Cf. war on drugs. Cf. war on young black males.

Oh, and if you haven't heard: The revolution will not be televised.
 
Gil Scott is dead....but last I noticed, revolutions are televised (see, Egypt, 2011). Or at least on twitter....

Use the web for change!

Peace.

ps what  is Cf. ?
Makes me think of beach bar dance floor, smooth concrete and sand, with cold beer ... time to get up and move around... Summer is coming to an end in the Northern Hemisphere... I'd think of Oz, Fiji or somewhere along the islands and peninsulaa up towards SEAsia... But without black blues music... It's not the same... The only place we find freedom is in song and dance... Make a Joyful Noise and move some feet.
Gotta admit that I'd never heard of Mr Burke b4 reading High Fidelity - But I caught up.

He's the man, for sure, though not too hopeful this situation (none of us are free...) changes anytime soon....
 Nerubo wrote:

Hear, hear! By the logic of the grammar purists here, the Rolling Stones should have sung "I Can't Get Any Satisfaction" because it's more grammatically "correct" than the alleged double negative.

 
Unfortunately, if you can't play it right, you can't play it good. Your comments about grammar only highlight a lack of awareness of the distinction between prescriptive and descriptive linguistics. Most professional musicians (for the most part) are highly skilled technicians, breaking the rules to produce an emotive response. Thus, I (and you, apparently) can't get no satisfaction. And none of us be free.

Peace, out.
I'm a grammar pedant too as my dad corrected me from an early age (it finally sank in during my twenties!). So hearing this really grates! None of us is free. Grrrr! The song would be all right otherwise.
 Businessgypsy wrote:
...but some us are reasonably priced.
 
I'm the luxury model and still full price.
where are my sunglasses !
{#Cool}
 pinto wrote:

So basically what he's saying is that none of us are free?

 
Not in the prison-industrial state. Cf. war on drugs. Cf. war on young black males.

Oh, and if you haven't heard: The revolution will not be televised.
Heard the Sojourners do this song better, until the 15th chorus at the end. There may have been more, but I was gone - free, as you might say.

So basically what he's saying is that none of us are free?


 lshinkawa wrote:
So tired of this song
 
Yeah, I'm there with you.  I can apperciate the message, importance of Solomon Burke himself, and hear the natural talent in the music... but it's getting too much play in my opinion.

I want to lower my rating of this song because I'm tired of hearing it, but at the same time I can't stop thinking of it so highly.  Ugh.

True.

{#Yell}
 rdo wrote:

Whenever someone "corrects" somone else's grammar or speech, I can only think "By what right?".  <..deletion>
 
Hear, hear! By the logic of the grammar purists here, the Rolling Stones should have sung "I Can't Get Any Satisfaction" because it's more grammatically "correct" than the alleged double negative.

So tired of this song {#Cry}
Wow, what a great song.  Love it.
It's good, but a tad too repetitive. But that's a pet peeve of mine in a lot of songs. I like lyrics and poetry with my tunes.


 rdo wrote:

Whenever someone "corrects" somone else's grammar or speech, I can only think "By what right?".  Why is anyone compelled to follow a mere convention, and what authority is vested in it?  A police officer is vested to enforce laws, his right is based in the constitution (or common law, etc..).  There is no such thing for language.  3rd grade grammar teachers and publishing houses don't count, much less the King's speech. 
 
Agree me! Vestignish am authoritoids fro bookup terradiidle! Hawmf?

Kind of tired of this song{#Neutral}

Solomon Burke with Patty Griffin - Up To The Mountain, Live

Mr Soul does a song with Ms Griffin.

"Great show, and Buddy Miller on guitar adds icing on the cake! "   bobbiejaeger

"Up to the mountain ....... a peaceful place. RIP Burke 10-10-10."  yokasok 

"Love SB and prefer his recording of the song in his Nashville CD but it is great to finally see them together! Patty writes some stunners! "    FXMAN66

 


 Jelani wrote:
Hmm, I always thought "none" was shortened for "not one"(singular). Which would make it none of us IS free. 
So, I looked it up. One dictionary  claims no historical precedent for it NOT being used in either singular OR plural context.
Another dictionary insists that it is singular only.
I say tomayto you tomahto ? 

 
Whenever someone "corrects" somone else's grammar or speech, I can only think "By what right?".  Why is anyone compelled to follow a mere convention, and what authority is vested in it?  A police officer is vested to enforce laws, his right is based in the constitution (or common law, etc..).  There is no such thing for language.  3rd grade grammar teachers and publishing houses don't count, much less the King's speech. 


 Businessgypsy wrote:
...but some us are reasonably priced.
 
Also, check the clearance bin for some of us marked down up to 70%.

I love this song.

...but some us are reasonably priced.
 lexica wrote:
Now, now, folks — it's a floor wax and a dessert topping.

 
{#Roflol}By golly, I think you're right.  {#High-five}
Anyway, I think we've all got it wrong; it's actually- None of us AM free, if one of us BE chained.
 Cynaera wrote:

According to what I was taught in High School, a prepositional phrase (in this case, "of us") is NEVER to be included when determining subjects and predicates.  Noun:  NONE (plural, in the context of this song.)  Verb:  ARE (also plural.)   Noun:  ONE (singular, in context.)  Verb:  IS (also singular.)

Uh, I sorta lost my train of thought while analyzing myself up my own ass. {#Lol}  I'm sure there are more educated and literate people out in RP-land who've made correct grammar their entire life's work, so I'll shut up now and leave this little sticking point to the experts.

And coccyx - I may have to slap you with a fish. {#Roflol} (Doesn't your screen name have something to do with the bone in the base of the spine that leads some people to think humans once had prehensile tails?  Just wondering...)
 
Hmm, I always thought "none" was shortened for "not one"(singular). Which would make it none of us IS free. 
So, I looked it up. One dictionary  claims no historical precedent for it NOT being used in either singular OR plural context.
Another dictionary insists that it is singular only.
I say tomayto you tomahto ? 

I hate this song. Repetitive, boring, and doesn't say anything new.{#Puke}
Now, now, folks — it's a floor wax and a dessert topping. Sorry, I mean, it's grammatically incorrect AND it's a fantastic song.

{#Wink}

(I've started accumulating a playlist of songs I like but whose grammatical errors put my teeth on edge. This song is on it but is only one of many, and is far from the most egregious offender. {#Beat} )

I always crank this one.  I like it.  I sing.  Bird likes it. Bird sings...   {#Yes}


yeah, baby!
 hcaudill wrote:
Now I'm a pedantic old geezer, but I know better than to pick a fight about grammar on a music message board. 

 
I don't know better. {#Rolleyes}
 coccyx wrote:

Umm.. None of us IS free if one of us are chained.

{#Wink}

 
According to what I was taught in High School, a prepositional phrase (in this case, "of us") is NEVER to be included when determining subjects and predicates.  Noun:  NONE (plural, in the context of this song.)  Verb:  ARE (also plural.)   Noun:  ONE (singular, in context.)  Verb:  IS (also singular.)

Uh, I sorta lost my train of thought while analyzing myself up my own ass. {#Lol}  I'm sure there are more educated and literate people out in RP-land who've made correct grammar their entire life's work, so I'll shut up now and leave this little sticking point to the experts.

And coccyx - I may have to slap you with a fish. {#Roflol} (Doesn't your screen name have something to do with the bone in the base of the spine that leads some people to think humans once had prehensile tails?  Just wondering...)
I have the dubious distinction of being the one who started the grammar argument on this thread, seven years ago. (Is it possible that I've been listening to this station continuously for that long?) I was younger then, and a pedantic little snot. Now I'm a pedantic old geezer, but I know better than to pick a fight about grammar on a music message board. 

 sirdroseph wrote:
Alright now, this song does not do well with overexposure, I just heard this yesterday.{#Naughty}
 
For.  Sure.

About once a year—maybe really late at night—would be just right.

Alright now, this song does not do well with overexposure, I just heard this yesterday.{#Naughty}
So true
Good one.  And the Blind Boys of Alabama don't hurt the cause, no they don't.
This is a pretty good song, but gets a wee bit repititious.
Shining example of what music should be.
Solomon schooled soul at one time
This one seems pasty to me
עליו השלום
Que en paz descansa — greatest soul singer ever.
 sharkey wrote:


A bit tired, ain't it.
 
Have you heard of the Zen concept of "projection"? {#Think}
 sharkey wrote:


A bit tired, ain't it.
 

Nope. I LOVE this song. Speaks to me.

(and on another topic, can you post a picture of yourself, resident gigolo? ...)
 mikexican wrote:
None of us are free from the monotony of this song.
 

A bit tired, ain't it.
I was watching Jerry Lawson on "Sing Off" the past few weeks, and he reminded me of Burke, an old soul man, beset by physical afflictions who still found his voice, however battered, in the depths of his soul. BTW, for all of you music lovers out there (haters can skip this...), "Sing Off" is amazing. Pure voice with heart, soul, originality—harmonies, counterpoints, and vocal gymnastics like you've never heard. Don't miss it when it comes around next year. Trust me on this.
 fredriley wrote:

'Kinell! Must be one hell of a body. Reckon you're our resident gigolo... ;)

 
Fred, really. You're just figuring this out? {#Lol}

I just love this track
 romeotuma wrote:
I'm not free...  I require a lot of money from women to use my body...
 
'Kinell! Must be one hell of a body. Reckon you're our resident gigolo... ;)

Nice transition, Bill....... Who would have thought, Jeff Beck to Solomon Burke......
 lmic wrote:

I don't want to annoy by bumping my earlier post citing the NY Times Style Book. {#Arrowd}

Suffice it to say, better authorities than we agree that the plural construction used in this song is both correct and preferred.

 
Bumping this to Page 1—seems like we need it.

 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, you people drive me nuts sometimes. Check your damned brains at the door, but keep your souls, and just HEAR the message. Yes, stuff is wrong - grammar, probably punctuation, should you manage to glom on to a copy of the original lyrics. And maybe someone else has done a better version that pales in comparison.

The point is in the first line:  None of us are free if one of us is chained.

Jayzus, how hard can that be to fathom?
 
Umm.. None of us IS free if one of us are chained.

{#Wink}

Not Free? I'll say, he had 21 children!

 romeotuma wrote:


I'm not free...  I require a lot of money from women to use my body...

and the song should be "None of Us Is Free"...  the noun is singular, so the verb should be, too...


Ah, you prefer the alternate "leer-ics" ;-)

None of us are free,
None of us are free,
Some of us are cheap,
But none of us are free


 Lrobby99 wrote:
Grammar lessons from a self-proclaimed human dildo not withstanding, this song is moving.
 


Thanks for the sample of what we will miss...

Schipol is too sterile a place to leave such a warm body...


 handyrae wrote:

Amen to that!

 

Sad day.
 lmic wrote:
R.I.P., Mr. Burke.
 
Amen to that!

R.I.P., Mr. Burke.

• 2005 Solomon Burke. 0046 copy  by Artamia
https://www.flickr.com/photos/artamia/

.....X-X-MMX.........Solomon ci ha lasciati. Che tristezza....
......................Solomon left us. How sad.

  • Solomon Burke dies at Amsterdam airport at 70

Sunday, October 10, 2010. Noon. (AP) - 19 minutes ago

AMSTERDAM - Solomon Burke, the larger-than-life "King of Rock and Soul" who was revered as one of music's greatest vocalists but never reached the level of fame of those he influenced, died early Sunday at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. He was 70.

Born to the sound of music in an upstairs room of a Philadelphia church, Burke was acknowledged as one of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s, but his popularity never matched that of contemporaries like James Brown or Marvin Gaye.

Two of Burke's best-known songs reached a wider audience when they were featuring in hit movies.

He wrote "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" in 1964 and it was later featured in the Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi movie "The Blues Brothers." The Rolling Stones and Wilson Pickett also recorded it.

A bare-chested Patrick Swayze danced seductively with Jennifer Grey to Burke's "Cry To Me" in one of the most memorable scenes from the movie "Dirty Dancing."
Legendary Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler once called Burke, "the best soul singer of all time."

Anti- Records President Andy Kaulkin, whose label produced Burke's comeback record, "Don't Give Up On Me," which won him his first and only Grammy, said, "Popular music today wouldn't be where it is without Solomon Burke."

Kaulkin called Burke a precursor to singers like Isaac Hayes and Barry White.
"I feel like his music is where it all came together, and when we think of '60s soul music it all started with Solomon Burke."

Burke, a giant man with a powerful soulful voice to match, appeared on stage on a throne in later years partly because of his regal persona and partly because of health problems. He joined Atlantic in 1960 and went on to record a string of hits in a decade with the label.
Kaulkin said Burke "gracefully" accepted the fact that his fame was eclipsed by singers he influenced.

"I think there was a little bit of frustration there but I don't think it ruled him at all," Kaulkin said.
Burke's family said on his website the singer died of natural causes, but did not elaborate.
"This is a time of great sorrow for our entire family. We truly appreciate all of the support and well wishes from his friends and fans," the statement said.

"Although our hearts and lives will never be the same, his love, life and music will continue to live within us forever," it added.
According to his website, Burke was born March 21, 1940, "to the sounds of horns and bass drums" at the United Praying Band The House of God for All People in West Philly.

"From day one, literally God and gospel were the driving forces behind the man and his music," his website said.
He remained closely linked to the church as a preacher. In 2000, he played for then-Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

Schiphol Airport police spokesman Robert van Kapel confirmed that Burke died on a plane at Schiphol. He arrived early Sunday on a flight from Los Angeles and had been scheduled to perform a sellout show on Tuesday in a church converted into a concert hall in Amsterdam with local band De Dijk.

Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and won a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy a year later for "Don't Give Up On Me."
Those honors sparked a renewed interest in the singer and he toured extensively around the world in recent years, including touring with The Rolling Stones.

Burke and his band would play without set lists, instead performing whatever the audience wanted to hear.
"It's like turning back the hands of time instantly," he said on his website. "We can be in the middle of singing something from my recent 'Like A Fire' album, and they'll call out 'Stupidity' from 1957 and we're back 50 years!"

Burke combined his singing with the role of preacher and patriarch of a huge family of 21 children, 90 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

"Loving people," he said at a recent performance in London, "is what I do."

*L

Copyright All rights reserved


Rest in Peace, Mr. Burke.
I was at two of your concerts, and there was more soul and good vibes on those nights than most artists can even dream about.
Thank you, for happy memories.

He just died. Rest in Peace, Solomon. Glad I discoverd you on RP.
Wearing headphones, so my SO can't hear why I look like I just caught the spirit. }:->
Ain't none of us free!  Amen.

Oh, you people drive me nuts sometimes. Check your damned brains at the door, but keep your souls, and just HEAR the message. Yes, stuff is wrong - grammar, probably punctuation, should you manage to glom on to a copy of the original lyrics. And maybe someone else has done a better version that pales in comparison.

The point is in the first line:  None of us are free if one of us is chained.

Jayzus, how hard can that be to fathom?
None of us are free from the monotony of this song.
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 poetic license prevails in lyric writing.
 
No prescriptivist I, how ironic that I feel compelled to keep pointing out: The construction used in this song IS CORRECT by contemporary grammatical standards. 
 grungepuppy wrote:


I take it to mean that if our standard of living requires exploitation of others, through slavery, slave wages, imperialistic taking over of land, etc., then we are not free either. The fate of all humanity is linked and it's not sufficient to say "I've got mine, to hell with everyone else." We will be truely free when all people are free.
 
it also could mean that the true human experience is freedom and joy and it wants to be shared by everybody so they can add their riff - kinda like a collaboration - world music - common journey - common destiny

Hey, I is in chains!
 lattalo wrote:

It took me until I was 50 years old to really understand this song.  When anyone
in the world is not free, that means that any of us could lose our freedom.  That is
why we have a standing army, we always have to guard against those that would
steal our freedom.  If everyone was free, we would not have to worry about ever
losing our freedom, can you imagine a world like that?

  I see your point and while I think it has some merit, I have to disagree. It’s not the enslaved that steal others’ freedom, it’s those who are already free. A standing army is protecting us from those with the freedom to attack us.  A world where everyone is free is what we should be working toward, but when that world comes into being, our freedom will be secured by the conditions and journey that got us there and not the destination.


 gabbadar wrote:
You grammar-nazis are such racists.
 

None of us is/are free from the grammar nazis.
 grungepuppy wrote:


I take it to mean that if our standard of living requires exploitation of others, through slavery, slave wages, imperialistic taking over of land, etc., then we are not free either. The fate of all humanity is linked and it's not sufficient to say "I've got mine, to hell with everyone else." We will be truely free when all people are free.
 
{#Clap}  totally agree.  I'm not sure I have an instant alternative, but I like your statement and agree 100%


 lattalo wrote:

It took me until I was 50 years old to really understand this song.  When anyone
in the world is not free, that means that any of us could lose our freedom.  That is
why we have a standing army, we always have to guard against those that would
steal our freedom.  If everyone was free, we would not have to worry about ever
losing our freedom, can you imagine a world like that?

 

I take it to mean that if our standard of living requires exploitation of others, through slavery, slave wages, imperialistic taking over of land, etc., then we are not free either. The fate of all humanity is linked and it's not sufficient to say "I've got mine, to hell with everyone else." We will be truely free when all people are free.