People Get Ready
Brownie McGhee/Sonny Terry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord

People get ready
Train to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among the love the most

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne

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 diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord

There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
Just get on board

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul




Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne

Overall Meaning

The song "People Get Ready" by Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry is a gospel-style anthem with a message of hope and salvation. The lyrics speak of a train that is coming to take believers to the promised land, using the metaphor of a physical journey to represent a spiritual one. The song encourages listeners to have faith and trust in God, and to embrace a life of love and compassion for others.


The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the repeated refrain of "people get ready" serving as a call to action. The train represents a symbol of salvation and deliverance, and the lyrics suggest that anyone can get on board, regardless of their background or status. All that is required is faith in God and a willingness to leave behind the things that hold us back.


The second verse focuses more specifically on the idea of faith as the key to redemption. The train is headed to Jordan, a biblical reference to the river that represents a passage from this life to the next. The idea is that by boarding the train and putting our trust in God, we can find hope and salvation in the afterlife.


The chorus repeats the message of the first verse, adding a sense of urgency with the repetition of "there's a train a comin'." The final verse emphasizes the idea that there is no room for selfishness or cruelty in the Kingdom of God, and that we must strive to be kind and compassionate to others in order to earn our place on the train.


Overall, "People Get Ready" is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to have faith in God and to live a life of kindness and compassion towards others.


Line by Line Meaning

People get ready
Get prepared and be ready for what's coming


There's a train a comin'
Something significant and unstoppable is about to happen


You don't need no baggage you just get on board
Don't let material possessions hold you back, just join in


All you need is faith
Believing is essential


To hear the diesel comin'
Stay alert and listen carefully for the signs of change


Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
There's no price to pay, just be grateful and accepting of what's to come


Train to Jordan
This journey is heading towards a better place


Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Everyone is welcome to join in, regardless of where they are from or who they are


Faith is key
Believing is the most important thing


Open the doors and board them
Be accepting and inclusive of all who want to join


There's hope for all among the love the most
Even those who feel hopeless can find hope and love


There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Those who intentionally harm others for selfish reasons will not be welcome


Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Those who prioritize their own self-interest above the well-being of others are not welcomed


Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
For those who are struggling to make good choices, have compassion for them


There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
There is no escape from judgment for one's actions


There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
Be aware, it's coming closer and closer


Just get on board
Join in and be part of the change




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield

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

@dejansavic8562

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 diesel's hummin'
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the lord

So people get ready
For the 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
Whom would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own
Have pity on those whose
Chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place
Against the kingdom's throne
You know there's no hiding place
There's no hiding place

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 diesel's hummin'
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
People get ready



All comments from YouTube:

@jds2056

my dad played this album when I was a kid, he passed away from cancer 2 years ago and this album just reminds me of the good memories instead of memories of the sickness. It is a beautiful album.

@willemp6432

Hallelujah Brother. 😎

@MrBlack-ze6hw

My favorite album from these two Blues Masters! I purchased this album when i was a teenager and for 43 years i have been a white boy lost in the Blues!

@stonehand49

Mr. Black ...Me too!! 69 and still get the chills here.

@kevinwingo1685

Mr. Black was 17 this is when I fell in love with Blues

@larryblakeslee7144

Yes. this album ruined me .Still ruined today.

@walterstonechild6185

First Nation's Red boys as well lost in the blues. bought the same album as you. still have it

@Bernierua

Same bro. Teenage boy at high school in the 80s.

6 More Replies...

@davehartley2671

After what seemed like hours trolling through records the other day I came across a record of Sonny and Brownie and bought it without knowing who they were or what they sounded like. Absolutely amazing. Their version of I Got A Woman is phenomenal.

@Gay1Guy

This would have to be the best accompaniment harmonica studio recording done by Sonny Terry. He is very disciplined here and simply plays two licks which fit in perfectly with the song. The first one is a train shuffle which is actually a riff. The second one is when he drags out the train horn. With both of these licks he never deviates...the perfect accompaniment recording.

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