Speak the Word
Tracy Chapman Lyrics

Tracy Chapman's "Speak the Word" is a song that encourages the listener to confront their innermost demons and doubts, and to speak the truth about their desires and fears. The opening lines, "Unsettled hearts, Promise what they can't deliver," suggest the ways in which our hearts may lead us astray, making false promises and leading us to disappointment. The singer longs for clarity and resolution, seeking solace in wine and the cool night air.

The next few lines turn inward, as the singer reflects on the ways in which our own bodies and minds can betray us. The "gray matter memory house" suggests the mind as a place of both memory and confusion, master of the "trembling flesh" but also prey to fears and doubts. The repeated refrain of "let me speak the word" suggests that the truth lies just beyond our reach, waiting to be discovered and spoken into being.

The final lines of the song suggest a kind of spiritual awakening, as the singer falls to their knees and begins to pray. The invocation of "love love love" underscores the importance of connection and compassion, and the repeated refrain of "let me speak the word" suggests that only by fully acknowledging the truth within ourselves can we hope to find true happiness and peace.

Overall, "Speak the Word" is a powerful affirmation of the importance of honesty and self-reflection, and a reminder that true healing and transformation can only come from within.