Lyrics Analysis

“Southern leaves, southern trees we hung from” – During

Common – Letter to the Free the 1800’s lynching was a common punishment for slaves
who tried to flee from their plantation.
Common’s background “Forgive them father, they know this knot is undone” –
reference to Bible verse, where Jesus begs for forgiveness
Common is an African-American rapper and cultural icon who has
on behalf of those executing him. Common is putting
consistently referenced social political themes in his music throughout his
himself in Christ’s shoes and asking God to forgive slave
career. He has won several Grammies, in the categories of R&B and rap. In
traders of the 1800’s
2015 he won a Golden Globe for composing the song “Glory” from Selma,
a film documenting the life and struggles of Martin Luther King Jr. He has “Pride of pilgrims affect lives of millions, Since slave days,
also taken part in many charity projects dedicated to improving the lives of separating fathers from children” – The decision by the
black people and kids. He has made it very clear that he supports pilgrims to start slavery separated millions from the
politicians like Obama and wants to speak out against the racism of people continent of their ancestors. This mirrors current day, how
like Trump. “Letter to the Free” was released in 2016 during the pivotal black mass incarceration separates fathers from their
run-up to the election, on the album “Black America Again” children and destroys families

“Freedom come, won’t be long” – mirrors slave songs

Themes of the Song sang in 29th century, these would be sang to boost morale
and sometimes convey hidden codes
-Racism
-Politics “Slavery’s still alive, check Amendment 13” – the 13th
-Injustice Amendment is famous for abolishing slavery, however it
-Slavery states that it’s still legal when used on those convicted of a
- Black rights crime, as punishment
- Freedom
“Shot me with your ray-gun, and now you want to Trump
me” – play on words. Reagan is infamous for his tough-on-
crime mentality, and is catastrophic campaign, the “War
Visual/aural elements of the music video
on Drugs”. This campaign falsely imprisoned thousands of
- Video takes place in a prison, linking with the theme of mass black incarceration dealt with in the black and Latino people for years from non-violent
lyrics, shows how trapped and threatened black people feel charges. Common points out the clear similarities between
- Elements of black musical culture utilised in the song and music video, like gospel singing, rhythmic Reagan and Trump, in their views, policies, and even their
drumming, jazz, and rap shared slogan
- Black-and-white colour grading of video demonstrates the polarising lens through which society
views black and white people, and places that lens over our point of view, pointing the blame for
black oppression on society as well as the institution
- Imagery of summery, grassland landscape at the end shows the bright future that could be ahead
for black people if oppression against them stops