Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of South Africa under apartheid, framing it as a global blight that demands forceful international intervention. The opening verses immediately establish a tone of absolute condemnation, rejecting any form of engagement with the system. Phrases like "No games with them" and "Don't trade with them" set a precedent for complete ostracization, directly linking the "race problem" and "Apartheid system" to immense global suffering and the absence of peace. The narrator asserts that "Discrimination must stop" as a prerequisite for any hope of "peace direct from the top." The central tension lies in the perceived moral imperative for the world to act decisively against South Africa's "racial slavery" and "apartheid system." The lyrics repeatedly emphasize the dehumanizing treatment of individuals based on "color, his creed, and his culture," equating it to being "treated like dirt." This injustice is presented as a fundamental violation of human rights, where "There can be no peace, only hurt" and "no glories on this earth." The repeated call to "Isolate South Africa" is amplified by aggressive verbs like "Annihilate," "Eliminate," and "Disintegrate," underscoring the extreme measures deemed necessary. A striking element of the craft is the invocation of powerful global entities and historical parallels to underscore the severity of the situation and the inaction of superpowers. The narrator imagines themselves as a "freedom fighter" or part of a "freedom structure" (like America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia) advocating for "military power" and "total embargo" to "isolate South Africa." The comparison of the situation to "the Holocaust" and the mention of the UN's "one million resolution" highlight the perceived failure of international bodies and powerful nations to effectively intervene against what is described as "vile assault" and "blatant" violation of "every humanitarian precept." Ultimately, the lyrics derive their power from their unwavering, almost militant, call to action against a system of oppression. The repeated, forceful verbs in the chorus, coupled with the stark imagery of suffering and the condemnation of inaction by global powers, create a sense of urgent moral outrage. The writing doesn't just describe the problem; it demands a radical solution, positioning international isolation and even destruction as the only just response to the "inequitableness" and "human suffering" perpetuated by the apartheid regime.

Mighty Sparrow - Pop

Isolate South Africa

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Duration: 8:03

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[Instrumental Intro] [Verse 1] No games with them Don't trade with them For them there should be no tomorrow This race problem Their Apartheid system Must not be allowed to go The world is suffering tremendously As a result of the racial slavery If indeed we want peace direct from the top Discrimination must stop There can be no peace, only hurt There can be no glories on this earth If because of his color, his creed, and his culture A fellow human being is trеated like dirt [Pre-Chorus] If I was a freedom fighter In this world, likе America I will see that my quest was under duress And do meh best to isolate South Africa [Chorus] Isolate (South Africa) Annihilate (South Africa) Eliminate (South Africa) Disintegrate (South Africa) [Instrumental Interlude] [Verse 2] Total embargo Just to let them know Human lives must not be taken so lightly Their vile assault is a gross insult One and all a freedom-loving society Yes, we know all men were created equal This world was not reserved for you exclusively If we believe this, and we want happiness Now take a stand to stamp out segregation There can be no honor, no respect No splendor if we accept The act of a state Who blatantly violates every humanitarian precept [Pre-Chorus] If I was a freedom structure Like Britain, France, Canada, and Australia Military power will head my agenda As part of the pressure to isolate South Africa [Chorus] Isolate (South Africa) Annihilate (South Africa) Eliminate (South Africa) Disintegrate (South Africa) [Instrumental Interlude] [Verse 3] One million resolution By the United Nation And today Namibia is still in bondage They obstinately reject Every decent concept Of human rights and still treat people like garbage From the Pope to the lowest orderly in the clergy [?] beaten some get killed or shot Greed and avarice for wealth Preventing those who could help Torture and pain and human suffering Surpass the top I see a bleak future Of only gloom All hopes and dreams shatter Out of impending doom All because of his color, his creed, and his culture A fellow human being is treated like dirt [Pre-Chorus] If I was a freedom fighter In this world. like America I will see that my quest was under duress And do meh best to isolate South Africa [Chorus] Isolate (South Africa) Annihilate (South Africa) Eliminate (South Africa) Disintegrate (South Africa) [Instrumental Interlude] [Verse 4] Clearly lives are lost Like the Holocaust The superpowers sit down and they take no action Showing no interest To try and stop this madness Like they stand behind Afghanistan and Poland Even China is supplying them with uranium So they could build a super hydrogen bomb Without the US support, UN is no comfort America it's you who can stop Praetoria There's simply no justice, no reason Inequitableness stay in season In this hell hole of a state Who blatantly violate Every humanitarian precept [Pre-Chorus] If I was a freedom structure Like Britain, France, Canada, and Australia Military power will head my agenda As part of the pressure to isolate South Africa [Chorus] Isolate (South Africa) Annihilate (South Africa) Eliminate (South Africa) Disintegrate (South Africa) [Instrumental Outro]

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Writers: Mighty Sparrow

Isolate South Africa

Isolate South Africa

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