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Got To Be There
Toots and The Maytals Lyrics


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Lord I must know
If you've been weeping and wailing
Naughty, naughty
Who knows how that love had to linger on, somebody help

Got to be there
Got to be there
Got to be there
Just to answer to your name (I feel the spirit)
When the roll is called for your fate, aah (I feel the spirit)

If you go the bad way (I feel the spirit)
You must prepare to get bad pay (I feel the spirit)
The seed you sow, girl, thank God (I feel the spirit)
This you shall surely reap, my brother and sister, listen (I feel the spirit)

Oh, oh, hey, got to be there
Got to be there
Got to be there
Just to answer to your name when the roll is called for your fate

Lord have mercy now (I feel the spirit)
My brother Moses got to be there (I feel the spirit)
Also brother Peter got to be there (I feel the spirit)
The sinners got to be there, listen (I feel the spirit)
I've got to be there too, I've got to be there too, you know (I feel the spirit)

Got to be there
Got to be there
Got to be there
Just to answer to your name when the roll is called for your fate, hey, hey

Let me tell you now

Oh, ah, yeah
If you are from Canada
If you are from America (I feel the spirit)
If you are from Africa (I feel the spirit)
If you are from Jamaica (I feel the spirit)

You got to be there
Got to be there
Got to be there
Just to answer to your name when the roll is called for your fate

Overall Meaning

The song "Got to Be There" by Toots and The Maytals is a gospel-esque song that talks about the importance of being prepared, doing good deeds, and living a righteous life because in the end, we all have to answer for our actions. The lyrics suggest that if we live our lives devoting ourselves to kind acts, then we will be rewarded when our fate is called, and on the other hand, if we choose to take the wrong path, we must be prepared to face bad outcomes.


The singer asks the listeners to take responsibility for their actions and sow good seeds. It is vital to remember that whatever we sow, we shall reap. The chorus repeatedly reinforces the importance of being there, indicating that it is crucial to do all we can to be present when our fate is being called.


The song ends on a note of universality, stating that it does not matter where one is from or what one's background is. Regardless of where we come from or who we are, we all must be prepared to answer to our name when our fate is being called. The ultimate message is one of responsibility, kindness, and personal commitment to living a life that upholds those values.


Line by Line Meaning

Lord I must know
I need to understand


If you've been weeping and wailing
Have you been upset and sad?


Naughty, naughty
You've been behaving badly


Who knows how that love had to linger on, somebody help
Who can say why love lasts? Can anyone give me an answer?


Got to be there
It is necessary to be present


Just to answer to your name (I feel the spirit)
To respond when your name is called (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


When the roll is called for your fate, aah (I feel the spirit)
When the list is read for judgment day (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


If you go the bad way (I feel the spirit)
If you choose the wrong path (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


You must prepare to get bad pay (I feel the spirit)
You will suffer consequences for your actions (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


The seed you sow, girl, thank God (I feel the spirit)
Be grateful for the choices you make, they will shape your future (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


This you shall surely reap, my brother and sister, listen (I feel the spirit)
You will experience the consequences of your actions, my siblings, pay attention (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


Lord have mercy now (I feel the spirit)
May God have mercy on us (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


My brother Moses got to be there (I feel the spirit)
Moses must be present (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


Also brother Peter got to be there (I feel the spirit)
Peter must be present (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


The sinners got to be there, listen (I feel the spirit)
Even the sinners must be present, listen (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


I've got to be there too, I've got to be there too, you know (I feel the spirit)
I must be present as well, you know (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


Oh, ah, yeah
Expression of affirmation


If you are from Canada
Regardless of where you come from


If you are from America (I feel the spirit)
Even if from America (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


If you are from Africa (I feel the spirit)
Even if from Africa (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


If you are from Jamaica (I feel the spirit)
Even if from Jamaica (I am moved by the Holy Spirit)


Just to answer to your name when the roll is called for your fate
It is necessary to be present and accounted for on judgment day




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Eddy manijean

Lord, I must know.

If you've been weeping and wailing,
Naughty, naughty.
Who knows how that love had to linger on.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.

Just to answer to your name,
When the roll is called for your fate.
If you go the bad way,
You must prepare to get bad pay.
The seed you sow, girl,
This you shall surely reap,
My brother and sister.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.

Just to answer to your name,
When the roll is called for your fate
Lord, have mercy now. (I feel the Spirit)

Brother Moses got to be there.
Also brother Peter got to be there.
The sinners got to be there.
I've got to be there too.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.

Just to answer to your name,
When the roll is called for your fate.

(..)

If you are from Canada.
If you are from America.
If you are from Africa.
If you are from Jamaica.
You got to be there.
Got to be there.
Got to be there.
Just to answer to your name,
When the roll is called for your fate..



All comments from YouTube:

Arlena F.

Sing it Toots!!! Love this song. May of this year was the first time I ever heard this song at a Bunny Wailer concert in NYC. Love it ever since.

raphael rousso

Yeah sing it Toots , gift us til the end of time !!!

mikigamba

I love this song, and for me In the Dark it's the best album from Toots Hibbert and The Maytals

Alexander Becker

@Lawrence Njawe I also love Pass the Pipe. Another album perfect from start to finish.

Lawrence Njawe

Agreed. Although some critics point to Funky Kingston. But this one is my favorite...

kirk cavenaugh

One of the best albums ever........

Crispymenace

the guitar in this gets me every time..
so good.
cheers.

Cal Lat Man 1963

RIP Toots Hibbert. You are a genius, and you blessed us with your music.

kirk cavenaugh

Best vibes ever.. I love u toots

Don't Hate Just Appreciate

RIP LEGEND MUSIC WILL LIVE ON 💯💯💯❤❤

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