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Holly Near and Ronnie Gilbert covered Reagon’s song.

Reagon also invokes Steve Biko in “Chile Your Waters Run Red Through Soweto,” which also appears with “Biko” on their 1981 album Good News. In much the same way that Gabriel’s 21^st century performances of “Biko” continue to use the symbol of his death to focus attention on systems of oppression, Sweet Honey’s song serves to connect the dots. Some versions of Sweet Honey in the Rock’s performances find other symbols to lift up. Billy Bragg’s 1990 cover mentions Biko by name.

“The Biko Drum,” by Wally Page

Wally Page’s 1991 “Biko Drum” addresses the anti-apartheid struggle somewhat more broadly. Christy Moore first recorded the song. Moore explains the origin of the song on his web-site:

“Myself and Wally were walking past The 5 Lamps when we bumped into Bishop Tutu. ‘The very lads’ sez the Bish….He was looking for a good song about Steven Biko who accidentally killed himself whilst falling down the stairs of the Police Station while being held by SA police. Wally had her down in no time.”

Here is Page’s performance. Contrary to what he says, Biko was not a member of the African National Congress (ANC)

Here is Moore’s performance:

Wrapping up

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that the “arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he also rejected the gradualism of white pastors who counseled patience in the cause of civil rights. He rejected the idea that anyone should put a timetable on the freedom of others. These two thoughts, the inevitability of justice and the urgency needed to pursue it, are fully compatible.

Gabriel viewed the pressure he and others were exerting as conveying the inevitable end of apartheid. His song and his activities pressed the cause with urgency. Whether another song might have filled that role if “Biko” didn’t exist, the fact remains that “Biko” played it. It may have worked better for some audiences than others. It was not a musical savior, but given its wide influence, and acknowledging that songs can only do so much, I can’t identify an outsider song that did more.

Thanks for reading and listening.