Adele Emeli Sandé (born 10 March 1987: Sunderland, England and raised in Al… Read Full Bio ↴Adele Emeli Sandé (born 10 March 1987: Sunderland, England and raised in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland) known by her stage name Emeli Sandé, is a soul and R&B recording artist and songwriter signed to Virgin Records.

Sandé made her singing career debut in 2009 after appearing on the track she wrote for Chipmunk's first debut single, "Diamond Rings". The single charted at No. 6 on the UK Singles Charts, making it Chipmunk and Sandé's first ever Top 10 Hit. She later appeared on another single singing guest vocals, after collaborating with Wiley on his comeback single "Never Be Your Woman", the single charted at number-eight on the UK Singles Charts becoming Sandé's second consecutive Top 10 Single.
Sandé decided against using the name Adele Sandé, due to Adele's growing success, so used her middle name instead. She revealed: "I changed it as soon as Adele came out. I just thought, 'You've kind of taken the [name] now', so I went with my middle name. She was just getting bigger and bigger, so I thought I just really need it."

A former medical student, Sandé appeared as a guest vocalist on Professor Green's 2011 UK #1 single Read All About It and soon went on to achieve her own chart success with her first solo release Heaven, which debuted in the UK Singles Chart at #2. Her debut album Our Version of Events was released on 12th February 2012. The album includes the singles Next To Me, Daddy and My Kind Of Love.

Before branching out on her own Sandé had already had a taste of chart success having collaborated with rapper Chipmunk on his song Diamond Rings, and then with Wiley on Never Be Your Woman. She has also written for or collaborated with artists including Let Go, Let It Rain, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.

In a major feature in their Saturday Review paper, The Times declared Emeli Sandé "The Voice of 2012". The New York Times said “Ms. Sandé has a perspective-altering voice, clear and brassy and weapons-grade”. Fellow artists have also proclaimed their admiration, including Alicia Keys, “I just love her style and her flow – super raw.”, and Adele, "How incredible is she?".

Our Version of Events is the UK's biggest selling debut album of 2012.

Sandé appeared at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. She performed Abide with Me

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Kingdom Coming
Emeli Sandé Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ho oh, ho oh, woah ho oh, ho oh, woah
Ho oh, ho oh, woah

Daddy been cleaning windows
Daddy been shining shoes
Daddy's a taxi driver
Driving all night surviving on a couple
Hours sleep in the afternoon

Daddy's so home sick twenty years past
Daddy's job and still no promotion

Fuck that, Daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, Daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, Daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running

Mummy been lighting candles
Mummy been saying prayers
Mummy don't think she can handle
No more thugs or thieves
Or dogs or sharks or grizzly bears
Mummy's so fed up
Four-night shifts in a row but
The debt won't let up

Fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel

And I know she loved to travel
Take a picture in the album
But that's something come and gone
And the kids need uniforms
And I know he loved to hold her
I mean really get to know her
But that's something come and gone
And the kids need uniforms

Fuck that, Daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel

I pray you get home safe
I pray your date of birth
To come boat to those cold gates
I pray you don't lose faith
Pray you don't lose faith
Life begins at 40 momma
I pray you see old age
I've seen you go to work and
Come home and go to work
And not moan about your worth
Because there's nothing in your purse
But that money don't define you
Plus, you hate being lied to
That's probably why there's no
Fella beside you
But besides that, I'm beside you
Hospital bedside, thinking how the fuck can I
There's no quittin', there's no quittin'
What good's a fire in the booth if
I could burn with those lyrics
Clock's tickin' and it's getting
Hard for me
They just said my mother's got heart disease
Man, I swear I felt that in my artery
If we could swap I'd give
You every part of me
Every lesson that you taught me was priceless
I mean it's funny how you add
Value when you're a minus
Corned beef sandwich for dinner when
We were rice less
Had that shit time after time
I guess it's timeless
The candles stayed lit when
The electric gave in
I kept our fire burning, mom
We never gave in
And if the kingdom's coming
Man it's best waiting
'Cause I ain't leaving your side
It's gonna be a long night

Fuck that, daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel fuck that, daddy
You're a king and the kingdom's coming
No more running fuck that, mummy
You're an angel, and this ain't no place
For an angel

Kingdom coming
Don't you lose your heart right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
Don't you dare give up right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
Don't you lose 'cause kingdom coming
I know you been down
Sometimes but kingdom coming
Don't you dare get down right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
Don't you dare give up right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
I can't see the lane right
Now 'cause kingdom coming kingdom's coming
Kingdom's coming
Don't you dare give up right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
Don't you lose over kingdom coming
Don't you dare give up right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
Don't you lose your heart right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
I know you get down
Sometimes but kingdom coming
Don't you dare get down right
Now 'cause kingdom coming
I can't see kingdom coming

Don't you dare give up right
Now 'cause kingdom coming

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Emeli Sandé's song "Kingdom Coming" depict the struggles and resilience of a working-class family. The song addresses the hardships faced by the father, who works tirelessly as a window cleaner and taxi driver but receives no recognition or advancement in his job. The lyrics express frustration and encouragement, telling him that he is a king and that his time to thrive is approaching. It emphasizes the need to stop running and embrace his worth.

The song also sheds light on the mother's challenges, including her tireless efforts to provide for her family and her frustration with the constant financial struggles. Despite her exhaustion from working multiple night shifts, the burden of debt remains. The lyrics uplift her, affirming that she is like an angel and assuring her that this difficult environment is not suited for someone as pure as her.

The song also touches upon the sacrifices made by the parents for their children. The lines "And I know she loved to travel, take a picture in the album" and "And I know he loved to hold her, I mean really get to know her" suggest that the parents had dreams and desires before the responsibilities of raising a family took precedence. The chorus reiterates that they are kings and angels, reminding them of their value and importance in their children's lives.

Overall, "Kingdom Coming" is a poignant and empowering song that celebrates the resilience and unyielding love of parents in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Daddy been cleaning windows
Father has been engaging in menial tasks like cleaning windows

Daddy been shining shoes
Father has been polishing shoes

Daddy's a taxi driver
Father works as a taxi driver

Driving all night surviving on a couple
Father works long hours, surviving on only a few

Hours sleep in the afternoon
hours of sleep during the afternoon

Daddy's so home sick twenty years past
Father has been longing for home for over twenty years

Daddy's job and still no promotion
Father's job has not resulted in a promotion

Fuck that, Daddy
Expressing frustration and defiance towards the situation, addressing Father

You're a king and the kingdom's coming
Father is deserving of respect and recognition, and positive change is on its way

No more running fuck that, Daddy
There will be no more fleeing from difficulties, expressing support for Father

Mummy been lighting candles
Mother has been lighting candles

Mummy been saying prayers
Mother has been offering prayers

Mummy don't think she can handle
Mother doubts her ability to cope

No more thugs or thieves
No more dealing with violent or dishonest individuals

Or dogs or sharks or grizzly bears
Or dealing with dangerous and predatory animals

Mummy's so fed up
Mother is extremely frustrated

Four-night shifts in a row but
Working consecutive night shifts for four nights

The debt won't let up
The debt is not easing or reducing

Fuck that, mummy
Expressing frustration and defiance towards the situation, addressing Mother

You're an angel, and this ain't no place
Mother is a kind-hearted and compassionate person, and this difficult situation is not suitable for her

For an angel fuck that, mummy
This challenging environment is not appropriate for Mother, expressing support for her

And I know she loved to travel
Understanding that Mother enjoyed traveling

Take a picture in the album
Capturing moments through photographs in an album

But that's something come and gone
But those moments have become the past

And the kids need uniforms
Children require uniforms

And I know he loved to hold her
Knowing that Father loved embracing her

I mean really get to know her
Genuinely understanding her as a person

But that's something come and gone
But those moments have become the past

And the kids need uniforms
Children require uniforms

I pray you get home safe
Wishing for the safe return home

I pray your date of birth
Wishing for the day of birth

To come boat to those cold gates
Hoping for the arrival at the gates of heaven

I pray you don't lose faith
Wishing for the perseverance of faith

Pray you don't lose faith
Reiterating the request to not lose faith

Life begins at 40 momma
Mother, life can still bring new possibilities even at forty

I pray you see old age
Wishing for the opportunity to witness old age

I've seen you go to work and
Observing Mother going to work and

Come home and go to work
Returning home only to leave for work again

And not moan about your worth
And not complain about her value

Because there's nothing in your purse
Because there is no money in her wallet

But that money don't define you
But the lack of money does not define who you are

Plus, you hate being lied to
Additionally, you despise being deceived

That's probably why there's no
Possibly explaining why there is no

Fella beside you
Man beside you

But besides that, I'm beside you
Apart from that, I am by your side

Hospital bedside, thinking how the fuck can I
At the hospital, contemplating how can I

There's no quittin', there's no quittin'
There is no giving up, no giving up

What good's a fire in the booth if
What good is a passionate performance if

I could burn with those lyrics
I can burn with the power of those lyrics

Clock's tickin' and it's getting
Time is passing, and it is becoming

Hard for me
Difficult for me

They just said my mother's got heart disease
They just informed me that my mother has heart disease

Man, I swear I felt that in my artery
I strongly felt that emotion in my veins

If we could swap I'd give
If we could exchange our situations, I would give

You every part of me
You all of myself

Every lesson that you taught me was priceless
Every teaching you provided was of immeasurable value

I mean it's funny how you add
It is ironic how you contribute

Value when you're a minus
Worth even when seen as a liability

Corned beef sandwich for dinner when
Having a corned beef sandwich for dinner when

We were rice less
We did not have any rice

Had that shit time after time
Had that situation repeatedly

I guess it's timeless
I suppose it is everlasting

The candles stayed lit when
The candles remained lit when

The electric gave in
The electricity stopped working

I kept our fire burning, mom
I maintained our passion and determination, mother

We never gave in
We never surrendered

And if the kingdom's coming
And if the long-awaited better days are coming

Man it's best waiting
It is best to wait patiently

'Cause I ain't leaving your side
Because I will not leave your side

It's gonna be a long night
It will be a challenging and difficult night

Kingdom coming
The long-awaited better days are approaching

Don't you lose your heart right
Do not lose hope in this moment