Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper (born in Pomona, CA, on 28 October 1969) is an American Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. As well as solo albums, he has recorded as Ben Harper and Tom Freund, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, and Ben & Ellen Harper.

Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, RnB, and reggae. Harper's blend of groove-laden funky soul and folky handcrafted acoustics helped him to gain cult status during the course of the 1990s and widespread attention toward the end of the decade. Harper combines elements of classic folk singers, blues revivalists and jam bands and is embraced by critics and college kids alike. Harper's body of work sells consistently and he tours constantly, building a solid, dedicated fan base.

Harper began playing guitar as a child in his hometown of Claremont, California (in California's Inland Empire). He eventually specialized in the acoustic slide guitar (Weissenborn guitars). As a young man, he recorded an LP (Pleasure and Pain) with fellow folk guitarist Tom Freund. After this limited edition record, Harper got a record deal with Virgin Records, who released his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World (1994).

This was followed by the incendiary Fight For Your Mind (1995) which became a college radio favorite and generated an abundance of songs which still fill his set list to this day.
In 1999 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Harper met Jack Johnson, who was unknown at the time and had not recorded. Harper obtained a demo tape of 12 of Johnson's songs that he forwarded to his producer, J.P. Plunier, with whom Johnson recorded his first album.

From early on in his career, his music received more attention in Europe than it did in his home country. While he was a well-known and respected figure in the States, in countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and The Netherlands he was a star, receiving a great deal of airplay and critical acclaim. His popularity in Europe is such that he was French Rolling Stone Magazine's "Artist of the Year" (Artiste De L'Année) in 2003, and his tour that year for Diamonds on the Inside played to packed arenas across the continent.

In 2004, Harper recorded the album "There Will Be a Light " as the collaboration Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

In October 2004, Harper participated in the Vote for Change concert tour organised to benefit Moveon.org and encourage people in the swing states to vote during the 2004 U.S. presidential election.

Over the summer of 2005, when the Zooma tour scheduled with Trey Anastasio and various side stage performers was cancelled, Harper took on a tour of more private clubs/venues such as the Avalon Ballroom in Boston, the Tabernacle in Atlanta, and a full-band acoustic performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This series of concerts saw the debut of a number of new Harper songs, such as "Get It Like You Like It" and "Dressed In Black."

In 2006, Harper released the double album Both Sides of the Gun which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts.
Next Harper did a worldwide tour, with support from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the North American leg.
In 2007, Harper released the album Lifeline, recorded in Paris just after his tour.

In 2009, Harper recorded the album "White Lies for Dark Times", as the collaboration Ben Harper and Relentless7.

In 2014, Harper recorded the album "Childhood Home" as the collaboration Ben & Ellen Harper.

In 2018, Harper recorded the album "No Mercy in This Land" as the collaboration Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite. At the 40th Blues Music Awards ceremony, Harper's joint composition with Charlie Musselwhite, "No Mercy In This Land", was named as 'Song of the Year'.

I Want To Be Ready
Ben Harper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How I am strong
Is to know what makes me weak
How I am found
Is to know just whom I seek
The gift of a blessing
The burden of a sin
Turn to him

I want to be ready
Ready to put on
My long white robe

Nailed across
From hand to hand
For the sin
Of woman and man
All upon his earth
Is all within his plan
And I know this shall be
My journey home

I want to be ready
Ready to put on
My long white robe

Covet no silver
Covet no gold
Reach your empty
Hands for him to hold
Up in his kingdom
Glory shall be proclaimed

Sing the song
And praise his name.

Overall Meaning

The song "I Want to Be Ready" by Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama is a powerful expression of the search for redemption and an understanding of one's own weaknesses. The first few lines of the song talk about how to be strong, you need to know what makes you weak. This is an incredibly powerful message about how self-awareness can be a great source of strength. The next line talks about how to be found, you need to know whom you are seeking. This line suggests that we can all feel lost at times, but if we know what we are searching for, we are more likely to find it.

The next verse continues the theme of redemption, with references to the gift of a blessing and the burden of sin. These lines suggest the concept of balancing one's good deeds and sins, knowing that ultimately we will be judged not by our individual acts, but by the sum of our lives. The chorus repeats the phrase "I want to be ready, ready to put on my long white robe" which is a reference to the Biblical image of being clothed in righteousness. The final verse talks about avoiding the love of riches and instead reaching out to God, and that in His kingdom, glory shall be proclaimed.

Overall, "I Want to Be Ready" is an incredibly powerful expression of the human search for redemption and for a sense of purpose in life. It speaks to the human desire to be found and to find meaning in our surroundings, even as we are buffeted by the cruelties and difficulties of life.

Line by Line Meaning

How I am strong
My strength comes from my knowledge of my weaknesses

Is to know what makes me weak
Knowing my weaknesses helps me understand my strength

How I am found
My identity is defined by the person I am seeking

Is to know just whom I seek
I must know the person I am seeking to truly find myself

The gift of a blessing
Receiving blessings is a gift

The burden of a sin
Carrying sins is a burden

Turn to him
Seek help and guidance from him (God)

I want to be ready
I am preparing myself

Ready to put on
Prepared to wear

My long white robe
A symbol of purity and holiness

Nailed across
Jesus Christ's crucifixion