People Get Ready
24 - The Impressions Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

So people get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all
among the loved the most

There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just
To save his own
Have pity on those
whose chances grow thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
Against the Kingdom's Throne

So people get ready
There's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
you just get on board!
All you need is faith
to hear the diesels humming




Don't need no ticket
you just thank the Lord

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Impressions' song "People Get Ready" call for spiritual and social preparation for a divine journey. The song is rooted in gospel music tradition and is intended to inspire people to get ready to board a holy train to heaven, a journey that requires no material possessions or qualifications except for faith. By exhorting people to focus on faith, the song suggests that morality and spiritual readiness are far more important than worldly success or acclaim.


The lyrics of "People Get Ready" make references to several biblical themes, including the "train to Jordan," which represents the journey across the River Jordan to the Promised Land of Canaan, referenced in several books of the Old Testament. The lyrics tell the listener that the train is coming to pick up passengers from coast to coast, and they must be ready to board with nothing but faith. The song also calls out the importance of compassion and social justice, urging people to have pity on those whose chances grow thinner and to reject the idea that hurting others to save oneself is acceptable. The song invites everyone to join the journey together and to find hope among those they love.


Line by Line Meaning

People get ready
Get prepared, be alert


There's a train a-coming
Something is about to happen


You don't need no baggage
You don't need to bring anything with you


You just get on board
Join the action


All you need is faith
Believe in something greater than yourself


To hear the diesels humming
To feel the energy of the world around you


Don't need no ticket
You don't need to pay or earn your spot


You just thank the Lord
Be grateful for what you have


For the train to Jordan
For the journey to a better place


Picking up passengers
Bringing more people along


From coast to coast
From all corners of the world


Faith is the key
Belief is essential


Open the doors and board them
Let people in and invite participation


There's hope for all
Everyone has the potential for a positive future


among the loved the most
Especially for those who are cherished


There ain't no room
There's no space left


for the hopeless sinner
For those who have lost faith and direction


Who would hurt all mankind just
Who would cause harm to others


To save his own
To benefit themselves at the expense of others


Have pity on those
Show compassion to those in need


whose chances grow thinner
Those who are becoming less likely to succeed


Cause there's no hiding place
No escape


Against the Kingdom's Throne
In the face of divine power




Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

oops44

People Get Ready

People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

So people get ready
There'a a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
Coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all
Among those loved the most

There ain't no room
For the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own
Have pity on those whose
Chances grow thinner
There's no hiding place
Against the Kingdom's throne

So people get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord



Ceo founder

When music had soul, meaning and harmony!
Masterpiece/masterclass of a song!
Thank you to the late great and legendary: Mr.
Curtis Mayfield!
Rest In Glory.
Thank you to the almighty Impressions!
Salute!
Did "770" individuals really dislike this historic ballad?
Sad!



All comments from YouTube:

Beta Ray Bill

The song never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Put simply, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Curtis Mayfield truly was a giant amongst men. Rise In Power, brother.

GospelGriot

Mayfield was the son and grandson of Christian ministers. This song is rich with references from the Bible and classic African-American spirituals. Simply put, Mayfield gifted us with a modern gospel hymn. The secret of its appeal is not politics but the amazing transcendence of the Word of God -- poetically put to music.

Virgil Graham

Right on right on !

Liza Rosa

This is pure perfection and gold. Smooth as honey. He was fantabulous! His legacy lives forever!

victor boone205

I played that song for my dad a few days before he died in the hospital. His eyes were closed as he sang to it with a little soul. Priceless moment...

Jeffrey Baran

My dad passed and started listening to his music and haven't stopped since. Suddenly I love what he loved.

Laynee Annen

I'm sure your father's are in heaven, this song will bring anyone to their knees.

Travis Huey

Simply one of the greatest songs ever written. It's arrangement is amazing.

Jenny Macallan

Travis Huey
Agree. When my son was in his high-school chorus, they sang this as the closing number at a recital. You could feel the goosebumps spreading in the audience. To hear those young people sing this message of acceptamce and tolerance gave us all hope for the future.

Bill Stephens

Curtis Mayfield was one talented musician, composer, singer and guitarist. One of the unappreciated innovators in that last category.

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