Steal Away
Kathleen Battle Lyrics


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Steal away, steal away
Steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home
I ain′t got long to stay here

My Lord, he calls me
He calls me by the thunder
The trumpet sounds within my soul
I ain't got long to stay here

Steal away, steal away
Steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home
I ain′t got long to stay here

My Lord, he calls me
He calls me by the lightning
The trumpet sounds within my soul
I ain't got long to stay here

Steal away, steal away
Steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home
I ain't got long to stay here





I ain′t got long to stay here
No, I ain′t got long to stay here

Overall Meaning

The song "Steal Away" by Kathleen Battle is a spiritual gospel hymn with a deep religious message. The repetition of the phrase "Steal Away to Jesus" reinforces the idea of leaving this earthly world behind and moving towards the spiritual realm. The word "steal away" suggests the need for secrecy and privacy, for the journey to Jesus must be a personal and intimate one. The refrain "I ain't got long to stay here" sounds like a cry for help, a reminder that time is short and that one needs to prepare himself for death to meet the Lord.


The use of thunder and lightning in the lyrics symbolizes God's presence and the divine calling. The trumpet sounds within the soul, which represents the call of God, that can only be heard by those willing to listen. When Kathleen Battle interjects the line "My Lord calls me," it draws the listener's attention to the fact that God's call is irresistible, and one must respond to it.


Overall, the song "Steal Away" by Kathleen Battle is a religious hymn with an uplifting message that inspires listeners to prepare themselves for their spiritual journey towards the Lord. Kathleen Battle's soulful voice and the exceptional instrumentation in the background takes this song to another level.


Interesting Facts about " Steal Away" are:


· "Steal Away" is a traditional African American spiritual hymn that has been passed down orally from generations of slaves to their descendants.


· The song was first published in 1901 by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a group of African American students from the Fisk University.


· Since its inception, "Steal Away" became a symbol of escape and refuge for enslaved and oppressed African Americans.


· The song found wider popularity when Marian Anderson sung it on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for 75,000 people in 1939.


· Mahalia Jackson, the American gospel singer, and civil rights activist also performed a rendition of the song in the 1950s.


· In the 1960s, "Steal Away" became an anthem for the civil rights movement.


· Stevie Wonder also incorporated the song in his 1972 hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life."


· Paul Robeson, the African American singer and civil rights activist, recorded a rendition of the song in 1930, giving it worldwide popularity.


· The song encapsulates the freedom and escape that the spirituals offered enslaved African Americans before they were emancipated.


· The song's phrase "steal away" resonates with the deep-rooted, unfinished American story of African American struggle for freedom and equality.


Chords: Unfortunately, we cannot provide the chords to this piece as it is copyrighted material.


Line by Line Meaning

Steal away, steal away
Let us leave unnoticed


Steal away to Jesus
Escape to the Lord's embrace


Steal away, steal away home
Leave this world for eternity


I ain′t got long to stay here
Life on earth is coming to an end


My Lord, he calls me
The divine power is summoning me


He calls me by the thunder
The Lord speaks with supernatural force


The trumpet sounds within my soul
The music of heaven resonates in my spirit


My Lord, he calls me
The divine power is summoning me


He calls me by the lightning
The Lord speaks with electrifying energy


I ain't got long to stay here
Life on earth is coming to an end


No, I ain′t got long to stay here
There's not much time left before departing from this world




Writer(s): Sheila La Blanche Johnson

Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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