He is best known for the roles of Aaron Burr in the 2015 musical Hamilton and Sam Strickland in the 2013 musical television series Smash.
Speak Now
Leslie Odom Jr. Lyrics
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While the storm in your heart is raging
Listen, listen, listen
Listen, listen
To the echoes of martyrs praying
Listen, listen, listen
Listen
Listen, listen, listen
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can you hear the angels singing loud?
Speak now
Speak now
Listen, listen
To the message of hope in the whispers of ghosts
Listen, listen
Listen
For the children will grow on the seeds that we sow
They listen, they listen
Oh, listen
Brothers and sisters
Listen, listen
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can't you hear the angels cry out?
Speak now
Speak now
Don't you hold your tongue
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now (speak now)
Oh
Can't you hear the angels?
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now
Leslie Odom Jr.'s "Speak Now" is a song that addresses the present state of the world and encourages listeners to speak up and take action in the face of injustice. The first verses urge the listener to listen carefully, both to the storm in their hearts and to the echoes of martyrs praying. It is a call to all people, specifically brothers and sisters, to come together and listen to the message of hope, for their children will grow on the seeds they sow. The lines "I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone/don't take your eyes off the road" are a reminder that the journey may be difficult, but it's our responsibility to continue moving forward and not become distracted or discouraged along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, listen
Pay attention, open your ears
While the storm in your heart is raging
During turbulent times of emotional turmoil
Listen, listen, listen
Pay attention, be attentive
To the echoes of martyrs praying
Honor the memories of those who dedicated their lives to a worthy cause
Brothers and sisters
Fellow human beings
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
We need each other to achieve our goals
Don't take your eyes off the road
Stay focused on what's important
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Are you listening to the signs around you?
Speak now
Express yourself
Can you hear the angels singing loud?
Are you listening to the messages coming from above?
To the message of hope in the whispers of ghosts
Listen to the hopeful voices of those who have passed
For the children will grow on the seeds that we sow
Future generations will reap the benefits of the actions we take today
They listen, they listen
The children are paying attention
Don't you hold your tongue
Don't be silent
Oh, can't you hear the angels?
Are you ignoring the messages from those who have passed on?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Leslie Odom Jr, Sam Ashworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
michele p
Listen, listen
While the storm in your heart is raging
Listen, listen, listen
Listen, listen
To the echoes of martyrs praying
Listen, listen, listen
Listen
Brothers and sisters
Listen, listen, listen
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can you hear the angels singing loud?
Speak now
Speak now
Listen, listen
To the message of hope in the whispers of ghosts
Listen, listen
Listen
For the children will grow on the seeds that we sow
They listen, they listen
Oh, listen
Brothers and sisters
Listen, listen
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can't you hear the angels cry out?
Speak now
Speak now
Don't you hold your tongue
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now (speak now)
Oh
Can't you hear the angels?
Speak now (speak now)
Speak now
APOLODESMAND123
Lyrics:
Listen, listen
While the storm in your heart is raging
Listen, listen, listen
Listen, listen
To the echoes of martyrs praying
Listen, listen, listen
Listen
Brothers and sisters
Listen, listen, listen
I swear we'll never find a way to where we're going, all alone
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can you hear the angels singing loud?
Speak now
Speak now
Listen, listen
To the message of hope in the whispers of ghosts
Listen, listen
Listen
For the children will grow on the seeds that we sow
They listen, listen, listen
Oh, listen
Brothers and sisters
Listen, listen
I swear we'll never find away to where we're going, all alone (On our own)
Don't take your eyes off the road
Can you hear the bells ring out?
Speak now
Speak now
Can't you hear the angels cry out?
Speak now
Speak now
Don't you hold your tongue
Speak now
Speak now
Speak now
Can't you hear the angels?
Speak now
Speak now
Gavin Johnson
why is he so underrated he deserves all the hype
Lazar sharky
It's because no one else was in the room where it happened, I think at least
TomokoOfficial
I've been a fan before the Hamilton when nobody knew him. He's gradually getting there. But then again being on top comes with a bloody sacrifice so it may not be a good idea either...
Kitchen Tumblers
All of it!!
Genuine Kay
Yes I’ve been a fan as well before Hamilton ❤️❤️❤️
TomokoOfficial
@Genuine Kay You too! We have great eyes and ears! I have been a huge fan of Billy Porter 23 years ago from his 1st album when NO body literally knew him. Then with Leslie's book I found out that Billy was his mentor and the one who introduced him to his now wife...
Lynne Hoyt
Leslie Odom Jr. was robbed last night of a well-deserved Oscar for this song. The rendition shown on ABC before the awards show was absolutely spell-binding. No dancers, no musicians, just Leslie's mesmerizing voice, singing gloriously among the clouds as if speaking to the many angels out there, who are still among us or have passed this Earthly existence before us. Speak Now! Amazing and Awe-inspiring. Thank you Leslie.
CDG1228
Yes...he absolutely should have won!!
Abraham Ntonya
How this man didn't win the oscar, I will never understand. The others were good but didn't even come close to this!! ah...
Coventry Kessler
Odom’s voice builds from soft and gentle to indescribably powerful, all the while speaking so clearly you can understand every word. The musical background from spare guitar to fuller orchestra helps the song build perfectly. The whole performance is amazing. You can listen over and over, enjoying everything about the song. Leslie Odom is just incomparable!