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mandela day
composer
Words and music: Simple Minds
publisher
© 1989 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd
background
"This was written especially for the Wembley Concert that was calling
for the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid in South Africa" - Jim
"Mandela Day, a song we wrote in ‘88 came together faster than just about any other I can remember. I recall
the demo of it being almost finished off less than a half hour after the initial idea had materialised. It could
not be simpler musically, but its effect rings out as strongly as it did back then when much of the on looking
world was calling out for change in South Africa, and arguably it now has a decent profile as one of the more well known freedom songs."
"The minimalism of the song works a treat. It says all that needs to be said. Above all it is catchy, and emotional
at the same time without any bluster. You did not need to know the story of Mandela to appreciate the song,
but it made the song what it is." - Jim
lyrics
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It was twenty five years they take that man away.
Now the freedom moves in closer every day.
Wipe the tears down from your saddened eyes.
They say Mandela's free so step outside.
Oh oh oh oh Mandela day.
Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free.
It was twenty five years ago this very day.
Held behind four walls all through night and day.
Still the children know the story of that man.
And I know what's going on right through your land.
Twenty five years years ago.
Na na na na Mandela day.
Oh oh oh Mandela's free.
If the tears are flowing wipe them from your face.
I can feel his heartbeat moving deep inside.
It was twenty five years they took that man away.
And now the world come down say Nelson Mandela's free.
Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free.
The rising suns sets Mandela on his way.
It's been twenty five years around this very day.
From the one outside to the ones inside we say.
Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free.
Oh oh oh set Mandela free.
Na na na na Mandela day.
Na na na na Mandela's free.
Twenty five years ago.
What's going on?
And we know what's going on.
Cos we know what's going on.
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discography
Edit (4:08)
Produced by: Stephen Lipson and Trevor Horn
Engineers: Heff Moraes, Robin Hancock
Assistant Engineers: Danton Supple, Martin Plant
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Album Version (5:41)
Produced by: Stephen Lipson and Trevor Horn
Engineers: Heff Moraes, Robin Hancock
Assistant Engineers: Danton Supple, Martin Plant
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Live Version (15th Sep 89) (8:13)
Recorded: Verona, Italy
Producer: Stephen Lipson
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Live Version Edit (15th Sep 89) (3:32)
Recorded: Verona, Italy
Producer: Stephen Lipson
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Live Version (11th Jun 88) (5:10)
Recorded: Wembley, London, UK
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
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Live Version (6:52)
Recorded: Black And White Tour 2006
Mixed By Jez Coad
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Live Version (5th November 2009) (6:42)
Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (10th June 2011) (4:30)
Recorded: Bedgebury Pinetum And Forest, Gouldhurst, Kent, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (16th June 2011) (4:32)
Recorded: Hampton Court Palace Festival, London, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (25th June 2011) (4:52)
Recorded: Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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Live Version (16th July 2011) (5:01)
Recorded: City Rocks, Inverness, UK
Mixed By Concert Online
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videography
downloads
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