Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: guitar
Song Meaning of “African Ship” by Lionel Loueke
African Ship by Lionel Loueke is a song that speaks of hope in the face of adversity. Loueke paints a picture of his people, the people of African descent, struggling through an unknown fate on the rough seas of life. Despite the hardships, he speaks of finding inner strength to fight on as they voyage onward towards a new destiny.
The song is a metaphor for the separation of African people from their homeland and the many misfortunes that followed. The vision Loueke paints is one of resilience and hope, as he calls attention to the suffering of his people and acknowledges that in this unknown hope his people can still survive. He encourages them to take courage and make the most of the opportunities that may come their way. As the ship sails, Loueke offers a prayer for a new and a better future, a better path that will bring the African people closer to a holy land of their own.
The uplifting message of Loueke’s song is universal and speaks to the larger human experience. There is a bond that is formed when we strive to overcome the odds in life and come out on top. African Ship urges us to take strength from each other and keep our hopes afloat, no matter the hardships we may face. What matters is that we never give up.