UB40

Released: July 28, 1986

Featuring: Jaki Graham Mo Birch Ruby Turner

Songwriter: UB40

Producer: UB40

The great flood of tears that we've cried
For our brothers and sisters who've died
Over four hundred years has washed away our fears
And strengthened our pride, now we turn back the tide

We will no longer hear your command
We will seize the control from your hand
We will fan the flame of our anger and pain
And you'll feel the shame for what you do in God's name

[Chorus]:
We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

When the ancient drum rhythms ring
The voice of our forefathers sings
Forward Africa run our day of freedom has come
For me and for you Amandla Awethu

[Chorus]
We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

And We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

And We will fight for the right to be free
And we will build our own society
And we will sing, we will sing
We will sing our own song

And We will fight for the right to be free

UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group. UB40 have sold over 70 million records. The ethnic make-up of the band’s original line-up was diverse, with musicians of English, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish and Yemeni parentage.

Their hit singles include their debut “Food for Thought”, “Red Red Wine” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Both of these also topped the UK Singles Chart, as did the band’s version of “I Got You Babe”. Their two most successful albums, Labour of Love (1983) and Promises and Lies (1993), reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.

On January 24, 2008, it was announced that Ali Campbell would be leaving the group after 30 years. It was reported by some Birmingham newspapers on 13 March 2008, that Maxi Priest would be the new lead singer of UB40 and had recorded a cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” with the band.

more tracks from the album

Rat in the Kitchen

From the albums

Rat in the Kitchen (1986)
NOW That’s What I Call Music 7 [UK] (1986)
Greatest Hits (2008)

UB40 popular songs

Sing Our Own SongUB40

UB40

Rat in the Kitchen