Inspirational Video: Something Inside So Strong
In 1987, Labi Siffre, a British singer, released the song, ‘Something Inside So Strong‘.
As political as this blog sometimes gets, i’m not bringing it to your attention because he composed it as anti-Apartheid song after witnessing a video in which black kids were being shot upon by white troops. Although noble, the song has grown, over the decades, into a broader meaning of “vasbyt”, “you can do it” and “you an make it!” Thus, it becomes the inspirational video of the week.
To give South African flavour, i add the cover version where Lira and the Soweto Gospel Singer’s do it as a tribute to Nelson Mandela. I’d love to get some locals together one day and record it too.
Play it loud, Knysna! As cheezy as it may seem, sing-a-long ’cause it will make you feel good:)
The higher you build your barriers,
the taller I become
The farther you take my rights away,
the faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there’s….
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice,
the louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that’s mine
My light will shine so brightly
it will blind you
cos there’s……
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters,
when they insist we’re just not good enough,
when we know better,
just look ’em in the eyes and say,
“I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway”
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters,
when they insist we’re just not good enough,
when we know better,
just look ’em in the eyes and say,
“I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway”
Because there’s something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
I must say, its very inspirational. it lifts one up!
Whether it’s a business owner working hard during recession or a kid living in a shack, i’ve always admired perseverance and survival. I could imagine a television advert where people from lives as different as that are singing this song across the country. “Together” feeling song.