As a child and young adult, Battle was both a good student and a good singer, but her ambitions were not grand. She was awarded a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Ohio, but she chose to major in music education rather than risk a performance career. In 1971, with both bachelor's and master's degrees, Battle set out to teach music to Cincinnati's inner-city youth. While teaching 5th and 6th grade music, she continued to study voice privately, which resulted in an audition with Thomas Schippers (then conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra). He was so moved by Battle's remarkable voice that he hired the almost totally inexperienced singer to perform at the 1972 Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.
Hush
Kathleen Battle Lyrics
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Somedbody's calling my name
Hush, hush
Somedbody's calling my name
Hush, hush
Somedbody's calling my name
Oh my Lor', oh my Lor'
What shall I do?
Somedbody calling my name
Sound' like Jesus
Somedbody calling my name
Sound' like Jesus
Somedbody calling my name
Oh my Lor', oh my Lor'
What shall I do?
Soon one mornin'
Death come creeping in ma' room
Soon one mornin'
Death come creeping in ma' room
Soon one mornin'
Death come creeping in ma' room
Oh my Lor', oh my Lor'
What shall I do?
Hush, hush
Somedbody calling my name
Hush, hush
Somedbody calling my name
Hush, hush
Somedbody calling my name
Oh my Lor', oh my Lor'
What shall I do?
The song "Hush" performed by Kathleen Battle is a spiritual song that centers around the theme of death and the afterlife. The lyrics "Hush, hush, somebody's calling my name" repeated throughout the song refer to the divine calling of the singer's name, which she believes belongs to Jesus. The singer expresses her fear and uncertainty about facing death and what will become of her soul when death inevitably comes creeping into her room. She is unsure of what to do and is calling out to her Lord for guidance and reassurance.
The repetition of the line, "Oh my Lor', oh my Lor' what shall I do?" highlights the singer's desperation and her search for answers to her ultimate fate. The song also acknowledges the spiritual beliefs of Black Americans through its use of gospel music, which was often used as a form of expression, comfort, and spiritual guidance for enslaved African-Americans in the United States.
Overall, "Hush" is a powerful and emotive song that speaks to the fears and uncertainties that all humans face when contemplating the inevitability of death. It is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, faith and spirituality can provide comfort and solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush, hush
Quiet down
Somedbody's calling my name
I hear someone calling me
Oh my Lor', oh my Lor'
Dear Lord
What shall I do?
What should I do in this situation?
Sound' like Jesus
It sounds like Jesus is calling me
Soon one mornin'
One morning soon
Death come creeping in ma' room
Death will come into my room silently
Contributed by Isabella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.