People Get Ready
Ladysmith Black Mambazo feat. Phoebe Snow Lyrics


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People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear diesels humming
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah

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 and lost

Now there ain't no room
For the hopeless sinner
Whoa, hard on 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

Oh people get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear diesels a- humming
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah

I'm getting ready
I - I'm ready yeah yeah yeah




Oh I'm getting ready oh - oh
I'm ready yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "People Get Ready" by Ladysmith Black Mambazo feat. Phoebe Snow is a Gospel-inspirational song that encourages all people to be prepared for the coming of God's Kingdom. The lyrics suggest that the train is a metaphor for a spiritual journey towards heaven or the afterlife, and that all you need is faith to embark on this journey. In the first verse, it says "You don't need no baggage," meaning that you don't need material possessions or worldly things to be ready for this spiritual journey. "All you need is faith to hear diesels humming," suggests that the power of belief is what drives this journey towards the ultimate destination. You don't need a ticket because the journey is for everyone, regardless of their past.


In the second verse, the song writer describes the train picking up passengers from coast to coast, implying that this journey is for everybody in the world, regardless of where they come from or what they believe. "Faith is the key," encourages the listener to open their doors and board the train, implying that they need to be open to new beliefs and new experiences. The phrase "Among the loved and lost" suggest unity - everyone is in this together, regardless of previous status or mistakes.


In the last verse, the song writer describe that if people don't start preparing for the journey, it will be too late. "There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner" implies that the journey needs to be embarked on while there is still time, urging the listener not to wait until it's too late. "Have pity on those whose chances are thinner," reminds people to have empathy and compassion for those who may be struggling with their belief system. The song ends on a positive note, encouraging people to get ready and be prepared for the journey.


Line by Line Meaning

People get ready
Prepare yourselves


There's a train a-coming
An opportunity is approaching


You don't need no baggage
You don't need to carry your burdens


You just get on board
Join in on the opportunity


All you need is faith
Believe in yourself and the opportunity


To hear diesels humming
To feel the excitement of progress


You don't need no ticket
No prerequisites are required


You just thank the Lord
Be thankful for the opportunity


People get ready
Prepare yourselves


For the train to Jordan
For the journey of life


Picking up passengers
Welcoming others on the journey


From coast to coast
From far and wide


Faith is the key
Belief is essential


Open the doors and board them
Welcome and accept others


There's room for all
Everyone is welcome


Among the loved and lost
Regardless of the situation


Now there ain't no room
There is no space


For the hopeless sinner
For those who have lost faith


Whoa, hard on mankind
A difficult burden to carry


Just to save his own
Only benefiting oneself


Have pity on those
Feel empathy for others


Whose chances are thinner
Those who have fewer opportunities


Cause there's no hiding place
Accountability is inevitable


From the Kingdom's Throne
From a higher power


Oh people get ready
Prepare yourselves


There's a train a-coming
An opportunity is approaching


You don't need no baggage
You don't need to carry your burdens


You just get on board
Join in on the opportunity


All you need is faith
Believe in yourself and the opportunity


To hear diesels a- humming
To feel the excitement of progress


You don't need no ticket
No prerequisites are required


You just thank the Lord
Be thankful for the opportunity


I'm getting ready
I am preparing myself


I - I'm ready yeah yeah yeah
I am excited and prepared


Oh I'm getting ready oh - oh
I am preparing myself


I'm ready yeah
I am excited and prepared




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

monica bella

Best version, amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.

R. R. Rubin

great rendition of a great song!

Jason Weller

I dare anyone too my friend, Phoebe, she was the "Master" in this genre of songs...RIP Songbird...

Thabiso Sehlabaka

African touch, always fantastic 👍

AlohaBec

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is amazing! I first became a fan in the 1980's, thanks to Paul Simon... and Kermit the Frog. :)

Lysa Alen

Love..this............Saw LBM at the Sanford Theater in Harvard Square, acapella ..NICE!

Lysa Alen

Love..this............

pusspleaser134

Great song Phoebe I wonder what year? PEACE Barbara

John Sessoms

The original Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions version was released in 1965. The "Cover The World" Album this version of the song comes from was released in 2003. The album also includes a version of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" by British R&B singer Des'ree with Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Phoebe Snow.

charles chinyama

100% good song people get ready