People Get Ready
Jeff Beck and Joss Stone Lyrics
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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
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 room 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 are thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne
So people get ready
For the 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, you just thank the Lord
Yeah
Oh
Yeah
Oh
I'm getting ready
I'm getting ready
This time I'm ready
This time I'm ready
The song "People Get Ready" by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart was written by Curtis Mayfield during the Civil Rights Movement in response to the struggles African Americans faced in the United States. The song serves as a message of hope and encouragement in the face of oppression and segregation, encouraging listeners to prepare for the metaphorical train to the promised land of equality and freedom. The lyrics speak of the need for faith and a willingness to leave behind the material possessions of this world to board the train to a new, better life. The "train to Jordan" is likely a reference to the biblical story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River to reach the Promised Land.
The song also acknowledges that not everyone will be able to board the train, as there is "no room for the hopeless sinner who would hurt all mankind just to save his own." This line can be interpreted as a critique of the white supremacists and segregationists who sought to maintain their power and privilege at the expense of the Black community. The song emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion, and acting for the greater good, rather than for one's own self-interest. The repetition of "I'm getting ready" at the end of the song indicates a personal commitment to prepare for the journey toward justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready
Prepare yourself
There's a train a-coming
A significant event is coming soon
You don't need no baggage
You don't need any excess material possessions
You just get on board
Just be prepared and be a part of the event
All you need is faith
All you need is belief in something greater than yourself
To hear the diesels humming
To recognize and acknowledge the signs that the event is near
Don't need no ticket
There are no requirements or prerequisites to participate
You just thank the Lord
Be grateful and appreciative for the opportunity to be a part of the event
For the train to Jordan
The significant event is a journey to a meaningful destination
Picking up passengers
The event is open to all and inclusive
From coast to coast
The event extends across vast distances
Faith is the key
Belief is essential to participate in the event
Open the doors and board them
Be willing to welcome and accept others who want to join
There's room for all
There is space and place for everyone to be a part of the event
Among the loved the most
The event is especially for those who are loved and cherished
There ain't no room
There is no space or time for
For the hopeless sinner
Those who lack belief and morality and cause harm to others
Who would hurt all mankind just
Those who harm others to benefit themselves
To save his own
To protect their own self-interest
Have pity on those
Feel compassion for those
Whose chances are thinner
Those who have less opportunity or resources
Cause there's no hiding place
There is no place to evade or escape from
From the Kingdom's Throne
From the judgement and justice of a governing power
This time I'm ready
I am adequately prepared and willing to participate this time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
carl hagen
Its very disheartening that only a few comments about Tal Wilkenfeld . she is absolutely killing it on bass. she's the one responsible for the incredible groove your feeling while listening to the song!!!
b0b thebuilder
Friggin Tal. She is mesmerizing
Laura Pavey
She does kill it. She rocks.
Tommaso Ricci
Bbona la bassista!
Alexei Baranov
Jeff, Joss, Vinnie, Jason, Tal together - one music, one delivery. All equal, all became one. Names, egos, skills and achievements doesn't matter much when music comes through. I'll bow to everyone. Thank you, guys, this place became a bit better than it used to be.
surfercrow
R.I.P. Jeff Beck —one of the most generous talents, always collaborating with bright young talent. He will be sorely missed. Thank you, Jeff—always soulful 💔😔🙏🥃
james jackson
I shed a tear everytime I see this man's GREAT body of work with so many artists . He was truly the 🐐. Ask all the greats... They know🙏🤟
Nate Webster
🤙✌️🌏🌎🌍🤞🤯💨💨💨😤🤪🙃👌🤘🙄😁🏂 from Lakes of the North, Michigan 💚💚💚
Richard Young
JEFF BECK, LEGEND. PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL MY FRIEND'S. 🙏✌️😎🏴
Lawrence Spencer
...ten years later this is still one of the most amazing performances ever...