Didn't It Rain
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
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Didn't it, Didn't, Didn't, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Didn't it rain children, talk about rain oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Rain, rain, oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
When you read in the Good Book you'll understand
Why Noah lived as a righteous man
The Lord called Noah and gave him a plan
Said: "Build me an ark at my command"
Just listen how it's raining, all day, all night
Water rising in the east, water rising in the west
Men groaning in the north, some moaning in the south
All day, all night oh oh oh oooo
Just listen how it's raining all day all night
Didn't it rain, talk about rain oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Rain, rain oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Then the Lord told Noah take 'em two by two
The ox and the fox an the kangaroo
The wicked man if he don't repent
Leave 'em there until my judgment
Just listen how it's raining all day all night
Water rising in the east, water rising in the west
Men groaning in the north, men moaning in the south
All day all night, well well well well well well well well
Let me hear you groan some tune
Let me hear you moan some children
All day, all night,
Water rising in the east, water rising in the west
Men groaning in the north, some moaning in the south
All day, all night
Didn't it rain, talk about rain oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Rain, rain oh my Lord
Didn't it, Didn't it, Didn't it, oh my Lord Didn't it rain.
The Golden Gate Quartet's “Didn't It Rain” is a song that tells the Biblical story of Noah's Ark and the great flood that God created to purge the Earth of sinful humanity. The song is a spiritual that celebrates God's power and the cleansing power of the flood. The song is essentially a call-and-response gospel song that is meant to be sung by a choir with a lead vocalist who sings the question, and the choir who sings the response. The song starts with the question 'Didn’t it rain, children?' which is responded by 'Talk about rain, oh my Lord / Didn’t it, Didn’t it, Didn’t it, oh my Lord / Didn’t it rain'. This phrase is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the intensity of the rainfall and the power of God that brought it forth.
The second verse of the song focuses on Noah, the Biblical figure who was deemed righteous by God and was tasked with building the ark that would save humanity from the flood. The verse mentions the Bible's account of the flood which warned of an impending disaster, resulting in Noah being called upon by the Lord to build an ark to survive it. The chorus then follows with the same phrase of 'Didn’t it rain, children?' being repeated with the same fervor as before. The third verse of the song tells us about the animals that Noah brought onto the ark, in twos, so that every living creature could survive The Flood.
The song's climax occurs in the final verse, which adds a layer of social commentary to the religious parable. The phrase 'The wicked man if he don’t repent / Leave 'em there until my judgement' is a reminder of the importance of repentance in the face of the fleet-footed coming of the day of judgement. The song ends with the chorus being sung with a little more urgency than in the previous choruses, suggesting the idea that the listener should never forget the incredible power of God as proven by the flood, and the need for repentance so as to escape the coming judgement.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't it rain children, talk about rain oh my Lord
The rain was heavy and the singers are acknowledging it in a religious manner.
Didn't it, Didn't, Didn't, oh my Lord Didn't it rain
Repeating the question with emphasis on the severity of the rain.
Rain, rain, oh my Lord
Addressing the Lord with an intense plea to stop the rain.
When you read in the Good Book you'll understand
The singers are reminding listeners that this story comes from the Bible.
Why Noah lived as a righteous man
The biblical figure of Noah is being discussed as an example of righteousness.
The Lord called Noah and gave him a plan
God spoke directly to Noah and gave him a task to complete.
Said: "Build me an ark at my command"
The Lord instructed Noah to build a large boat to survive the flood.
Just listen how it's raining, all day, all night
The rain is so heavy that it continues throughout the day and night.
Water rising in the east, water rising in the west
Describing the extent of the flood waters.
Men groaning in the north, some moaning in the south
People are suffering all over the world due to the flood.
All day, all night oh oh oh oooo
Repeated expression of the misery caused by the flood.
Then the Lord told Noah take 'em two by two
God ordered Noah to gather two of every animal to bring on the ark.
The ox and the fox an the kangaroo
Examples of animals that were brought onto the ark.
The wicked man if he don't repent
People who did not repent of their sins were not saved from the flood.
Leave 'em there until my judgment
God will judge those who do not repent and they will face the consequences.
Let me hear you groan some tune
The singers are encouraging listeners to sing along in order to express their misery caused by the flood.
Contributed by Chloe F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.