Lyrics I Owe No Apology - Mighty Sparrow

I am Nelson Mandela, freedom fighter,
Liberator of my people in South Africa.
Then so be it Mr Koppel, I owe no apology!

Interviewing Nelson Mandela on a TV show
Ted Koppel was the interviewer, I want you to know
He wanted Mandela to condemn Muammar Qaddafi,
Fidel Castro, Yasir Arafat right there on TV
Mandela say these people help me when apartheid was on the rise
I turned to them out of necessity so I do not apologise, you hear
Though it grieves me to see the people suffering but...

Chains of bondage have been placed on my head
To impede my progress
Thorns and thistles have been laid on my bed
To curtail my rest
I've been tortured and suffered immensely
They isolate me, incarcerate me
Still in spite of their barbarous cruelty
I will never apologise for my identity

No apology for my color, it is part of me
I'm wearing it bravely with honour, pride and dignity
How can I say sorry for a birthright made proud by my forefathers?
A skin that blends with the darkness of
Night yet distinguishes me from others?
There were times I know because of
It tears of sorry had filled my eyes
But the Lord made me free in spirit and I do not apologise, you hear
He scratch he head and continue complaining that...

Chains of bondage have been placed on my head
To impede my progress
And then he said, thorns and thistles have been laid on my bed
To curtail my rest
They subject me to gross inhumanity
Brutality, hostility
But no matter how rough their tactics be
I will never apologise for my identity.

I owe no apology. Personally, I have done no wrong
And what I have endured physically have made me more strong
How could I be ashamed of a mind that refuses to be twisted?
A heart as warm as the morning sunshine, a character so gifted?
With these trials and tribulations, I am fulfilling destiny
In my quest for emancipation, I owe no apology, you hear
Sit down there, feel is joke I making...

Chains of bondage have been placed on my head
To impede my progress
And then he said, thorns and thistles have been laid on my bed
To curtail my rest
I've had my share of pain and misery
It was ghastly, downright nasty
They try hard but they fail miserably
'Cause I'll never apologise for my identity

No apology for my culture, for it suits me fine
The folklore of all my ancestors makes me feel sublime
I am not repentant of a music that expresses how I feel
These sweet melodies come from deep
In my soul, enriching all my ideals
He say, the rhythm does give me
Courage and the lyrics does make me wise
So in spite of all the advantage, I do not apologise, you hear
Though it grieves me to see the people suffering but...

Chains of bondage have been placed on my head
To impede my progress
And then he said, thorns and thistles have been laid on my bed
To curtail my rest
Their exercises were in futility
That's when they gave me psychotherapy
But they surrendered while I'm shouting, "Victory!"
'Cause I'll never apologise for my identity

And that's the way it is.
Have I paralysed you, Mister Koppel?
Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha!