“Run” is a song about stamina and perseverance. Lyrically it’s about someone running for their lives. Metaphorically, this is the symbolic story of every Black person on the planet. It feels like a never ending cycle. From the slave catcher’s hounds, from the Klansman’s noose, from oppression, from discrimination, from the police, we’re constantly running. Failure isn’t an option. “If I let them catch me, I’m as good as dead.”
Video
The Story Behind The Song
“I believe Mr. [Ahmaud] Arbery was being pursued, and he ran till he couldn’t run anymore, and it was turn his back to a man with a shotgun or fight with his bare hands against the man with the shotgun. He chose to fight,” he said. “I believe Mr. Arbery’s decision was to just try to get away, and when he felt like he could not escape he chose to fight.”
Originally, I got the story wrong.
What really happened was this: READ THE STORY BEHIND RUN HERE
Credits
Song Credits:
Simone White: drums
Nadir Omowale: guitar, bass, Beat Thang, percussion, programming, and vocals
Produced, Recorded and Mixed by J. Nadir Omowale at EkoBase Media, Ferndale, Michigan
Drums Recorded by Simone White at Sim-1 Music, Sydney, Australia
http://www.sim-1music.com/
Mastered by Doctor Mix
Video Credits:
Dancer: The Simone Winter Experience (@SimoneWinterExperience)
Singer: Nadir
Video directed and edited by Jabarr Harper
Original Artwork by Jabarr Harper
https://www.jabarrharper.com/
Lyrics
Run
By Jonah Nadir Omowale
©2020 Nadir Omowale LLC (BMI)
Can’t stop
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
Can’t stop
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
I’m on the run and, Lord, they’re gaining on me.
The hounds are just a breath away.
But I’m in this race. Can’t slow my pace. Not one degree.
Cause if they catch me they will throw me back in chains.
Even if I stumble, gotta get back up and start to move again.
Forward ever. Backward never.
Run through hell or run to heaven
I have got to keep on fighting until the end.
Lord, have mercy!
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on moving
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on pushing
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
I’ve been running now for centuries
There’s a fire in my legs
But the flame that’s burning deep inside consumes me
If I let them catch me, I’m as good dead.
Even if I stumble, gotta get back up and start to run again
I’m weary and I’m tired, but Lord, I’m still alive
And I know my change is coming round the bend
Lord have mercy
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on moving
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on pushing
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
Can I run back to the Congo?
Tell Lumumba it’s not too late.
Tell my brothers in Zimbabwe I’ll be there.
I think I can run this race forever
If I can only catch my
If I can only catch my breath.
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on moving
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I run?
Can’t stop
I’ve got to keep on pushing, keep fighting…
How far can I run?
How far can I?
How far can I Run?
