From Wikipedia: "Redemption Song" is the last track on Bob Marley's ninth Island music album, 'Uprising.' At the time he wrote the song, circa 1979, Marley had already been diagnosed with the cancer that was to later take his life, and according to Rita Marley, he was already secretly in a lot of pain and dealt with his own mortality, a feature which is clearly apparent on the album, particularly on this song.