Cope lived in Houston, Texas during his high school years and attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He has been closely associated with the music of Especially for Youth (EFY), with seven EFY albums having songs he composed. He also has served as an LDS missionary in Switzerland and France from 1980-1982. He currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah and serves as an LDS Bishop.
White Dress
Kenneth Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Annie came calling to little Louisa
Wearing the moonlight but wanting the sunlight
She stood at her bedside and poured out her heart
"Get up and tell mama all that I said
Because I can't move ahead unless I can get a white dress"
Charlotte O'Grady, a dear hearted lady
One night while she's dreaming
Her mother comes pleading
"Charlotte, I'm needing your help to move on
Now, don't wait for nothing, the moment is today
Take up my name and see that I get a white dress"
Mothers and daughters are shedding a tear
Heaven's rejoicing as Jesus draws near
And it's like this
They're getting their white dress
In Wichita, Kansas, Neddie and Frances
Bow over breakfast to start out the day
When the voice of the spirit pays them a visit
Says, "it's time to get with it, there's family to save
Your fathers and mothers are biding their time
They're waiting for you to help them get dressed up in white"
Neddie and Frances are filled with desire
They're searching through records and feeling the fire
And after each day's acquired
It's up to god's mountain where white is applied
And he in his robe and she in her gown
They're doing their best to turn it around
And they won't rest until all are in white dress
Walking with Jesus in white, wearing their white dress
Walking with Jesus in white, wearing their white dress
Walking with Jesus in white, wearing their white dress
Walking with Jesus in white, wearing their white dress
Before the lord's coming, Elijah's been stirring
And fathers are turning to you and to me
The song "White Dress" by Kenneth Cope tells the story of several people who are visited by departed loved ones in dreams, requesting that they help them obtain a white dress. The white dress is symbolic of purity and righteousness, and represents the need for spiritual progression, allowing one to be ready to meet the Lord. The lyrics describe the urgency to take action, to not wait for a future moment to help loved ones progress. The song highlights the importance of family, and the role of the living in assisting their ancestors to obtain the white dress.
The first verse describes a dream where Annie visits little Louisa, asking her to tell her mother that she needs a white dress to be able to move forward. The second verse tells the story of Charlotte O'Grady, who dreams of her mother pleading with her to move on and to take up her name, ensuring that she gets a white dress. The chorus of the song describes that mothers and daughters are shedding tears as they help their ancestors obtain the white dress, while heaven rejoices as Jesus draws near. The third verse tells the story of Neddie and Frances, who receive a visit from the spirit, urging them to help their fathers and mothers get dressed up in white. The final verse describes the urgency before the Lord's coming, with Elijah stirring and fathers turning to the living for guidance.
Overall, the song "White Dress" emphasizes the significance of spiritual progression, and the responsibility of the living to help their ancestors progress. It encourages action and the need to be prepared to meet the Lord, while recognizing the sacred bond between family members, both living and dead.
Line by Line Meaning
Long before morning without a warning
Annie came to Louisa suddenly, without warning, in the early hours of the morning.
Wearing the moonlight but wanting the sunlight
Annie was filled with light and happiness, but she wanted more than she had in her life.
Charlotte O'Grady, a dear hearted lady
Charlotte O'Grady was a kind and caring woman.
She seemed nearly eighty years coming and going
Charlotte O'Grady had lived a long and full life, with both good times and bad.
One night while she's dreaming
Charlotte O'Grady dreamt of her mother one night.
Her mother comes pleading
Charlotte's mother came to her in her dream, asking for her help.
"Charlotte, I'm needing your help to move on
Charlotte's mother was stuck and needed her help to move on to the afterlife.
Now, don't wait for nothing, the moment is today
Charlotte's mother needed her help right away, and she couldn't wait any longer.
Take up my name and see that I get a white dress"
Charlotte's mother needed her to perform a religious ritual to help her move on, symbolized by getting her a white dress.
Mothers and daughters are shedding a tear
Mothers and daughters are crying together.
Heaven's rejoicing as Jesus draws near
Heaven is celebrating and getting ready for the return of Jesus.
They're getting their white dress
Charlotte's mother and others like her are receiving the ritual help they need to wear a white dress and move on to the afterlife.
In Wichita, Kansas, Neddie and Frances
Neddie and Frances, a couple in Kansas, are the focus of the next part of the song.
Bow over breakfast to start out the day
Neddie and Frances start their day by praying and being thankful.
When the voice of the spirit pays them a visit
They feel a spiritual presence and guidance.
Says, "it's time to get with it, there's family to save
They are being called to action by the spirit to help their family members.
Your fathers and mothers are biding their time
Their ancestors are waiting patiently for them to perform the ritual and help them move on.
They're waiting for you to help them get dressed up in white"
Their ancestors need their help in performing the same religious ritual to be able to move on and be dressed in a white outfit.
Neddie and Frances are filled with desire
Neddie and Frances are motivated and eager to help their family members.
They're searching through records and feeling the fire
They are scouring through genealogical records to learn more about their ancestors and are eager to help them.
And after each day's acquired
They are making progress every day in their search.
It's up to god's mountain where white is applied
They perform the ritual they have learned and ascend to God's mountain where they are given white clothing.
And he in his robe and she in her gown
Neddie and Frances are dressed in white and meet Jesus in his robe and gown.
They're doing their best to turn it around
They are working hard to change the lives of their ancestors and help them reach the afterlife.
And they won't rest until all are in white dress
Neddie and Frances are committed to helping all their ancestors and won't stop until everyone has received a white dress and moved on.
Walking with Jesus in white, wearing their white dress
Finally, their ancestors are walking with Jesus, dressed in white clothing.
Before the lord's coming, Elijah's been stirring
Elijah has been preparing for Jesus to return.
And fathers are turning to you and to me
Their ancestors are turning to Neddie and Frances for help.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ERIC SWARBRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind