The Chambers Brothers first honed their skills as members of the choir in their Baptist church. This set up ended in 1952 when older brother George was drafted into the army. After his discharge George moved to Los Angeles. The other Chambers brothers soon settled there as well. As a foursome, they began performing gospel and folk throughout the Southern California region in 1954, but they more or less remained unknown until appearing in New York City in 1965.
In the early 1960s these four brothers from Mississippi: Joe and Willie on guitar, Lester, on harmonica, and George on washtub bass would start to venture outside the gospel circuit, playing at coffeehouses that also booked folk acts. They played at places like The Ash Grove which was one of Los Angeles's most popular folk clubs and it became a favorite haunt of theirs and brought them into contact with Hoyt Axton, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Reverend Gary Davis, and Barbara Dane. Dane became a great supporter, performing on stage with the brothers onstage and recording with them. She also took them on tour with her. It was she who got in touch with Pete Seeger and helped to arrange putting the Chambers Brothers on the bill of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. One of their songs "I Got It" from their show appeared on Newport Folk Festival 1965 compilation LP that was issued on the Vanguard label.
They were becoming more accepted in the folk community but like many on the folk circuit they were looking to electrify their music and become more rock in roll. Guitarist Joe Chambers recalled some happenings at the Newport festival and mentioned in a May 1994 Goldmine article that people were jumping and breaking down fences and rushing to the stage. "Newport had never seen or heard anything like that." After the group finished and the crowd finally settled down, the MC came up and said "Whether you know it or not, that was rock'n'roll." That night they played at a post-concert party for festival performers and afterwards they went to a recording session of the newly electrified Bob Dylan. Now having gone electric George would trade in his washtub bass for a Danelectro bass guitar.
Shortly after this, the group recorded its debut album People Get Ready.
People Get Ready
Chambers Brothers Lyrics
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You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
There's room for all of the loved and lost
Yeah yeah
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
Oh 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 diesels a-humming
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah
I'm getting ready I'm ready
Oh I'm getting ready I'm ready
The Chambers Brothers' song "People Get Ready" conveys a message of hope and faith in the face of impending change. The first verse speaks of a train coming, and encourages listeners to hop on board without any baggage or tickets - all one needs is faith. The second verse speaks of the train picking up passengers from coast to coast, with faith being the key to open the doors and board them. The final verse is a warning that there is no room for those who are hopeless sinners or cruel to other people to save themselves. The only way to find comfort is through faith in a higher power that will not let them hide from justice.
This song was written by Curtis Mayfield in 1965 and was later covered by numerous groups, including the Chambers Brothers. It is considered one of the classic songs of the Civil Rights Movement and was often performed at rallies and protests. The message of hope and faith in the face of adversity resonated with many during this turbulent time in American history.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready there's a train a-comin'
Prepare yourselves, there's a train approaching.
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
Leave everything behind, just get on the train.
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
Believe and you'll be able to hear the sound of the train.
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
No need to worry about payment, express your gratitude to God.
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Prepare yourselves for the journey to a better place.
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Collecting people from everywhere to join the journey.
Faith is the key open the doors and board them
Believing is the key to enter and join the journey.
There's room for all of the loved and lost
Everyone, regardless of their past or present state, is welcome.
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Those who refuse to believe and continue to harm others won't be admitted.
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
Those who oppress others for personal gain will be left behind.
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
Be compassionate towards those who face difficulties in life.
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
Everyone will be judged according to their deeds when the journey ends.
I'm getting ready I'm ready
I'm preparing myself to join the journey.
Oh I'm getting ready I'm ready
I'm eagerly waiting to join the journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN BRESLIN, JOBY FOX, BAP KENNEDY, SPADE MC QUADE, DAVID TONER, PAUL TONER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bobby Bob
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
People get ready for the train to Jordan
It's picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
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
For 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
Leonard Barefoot
I first heard this song 50 years ago while serving in Vietnam in an infantry recon unit near Chu Lai, Vietnam. I was back in the rear area at battalion where there were small barracks and electricity,etc. and a guy, I guess heading home, had a rally nice reel to reel tape deck and was playing this song. It, and my best friend, Ulysses Hassell's favorite song "Only the strong survive" who was killed in action, became my go to songs to remember him and others who died in Vietnam. So whenever I happen to hear either, or take the opportunity to play them I shed a tear and think to myself "what a waste" , this country, this world could do better. Having lost a HS classmate, friends growing up and several while serving together in Vietnam, I know and have come to accept that my loss is no greater than those lost in other wars our country has been engaged in; but it doesn't make it any easier...and it never goes away. Such is the power of a great song and its ability to bring forth reflection. God bless those who make the supreme sacrifice. May they never be forgotten.
Paula Powell
God Bless you, Sir. I was a child of the 60s. My fiance at the time served in Viet Nam as a Medic. I know the memories and the people never leave your mind. Be safe, stay strong. You are a hero in the eyes of a generation.
T.T. Stern
Bless You...Shalom
Richard's Nixon
God bless you
Travelure777
I knew someone who was exposed to Agent Orange. Didn't make it to age 50.
david gregory
I'm a Country music boy from Arkansas, but I duly love Soul Music. Songs like this, which I heard after returning from the 'Nam war, grabbed me by the heart and held on for dear life. Makes me swell up inside to hear this - Chamber Brothers were indeed a force in my life. Thank you, boys...
Jesse Dylan
Thanks for having served. Bless you and yours. Stay safe and well.
jimmy burgoff
I wore this record out when I was a teenager in the early 70's. It's still a wonderful record ................
RicOshayed1
"All gave some -- some gave all." Rest in peace my brave brothers ! There are no bone spurs in the halls of glory.
Kenya Nkhrumah
A Masterpiece. A heartfelt rendition of Curtis Mayfield's Classic.