She was born in Miami, to a religiously devout mother and musically inclined father. As was common in the area, Williams was exposed to African American blues and jazz, alongside Caribbean calypso. Poverty caused Williams to leave school at fourteen, working with her mother at a laundry. She was singing at church and on street corners, inspired by a wide range of musicians including Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Smith Jubilee Singers. She stuck with gospel, however, in spite of pressure to switch to popular blues tunes or the opera.
Williams was invited to join the Ward Singers when they heard her singing during a visit to her sister in Philadelphia in 1946. Williams did so in 1947, staying with them for eleven years. Her first recording with the group was "How Far Am I from Canaan" (1948), followed by the breakthrough "Surely God Is Able", which launched Williams and the rest of the group into superstardom. Their concerts were mobbed by frenzied fans.
Dissatisfied with the low pay she was receiving while starring for the group, Williams left the Ward Singers in 1958, followed by most of the rest of the group, to form the Stars of Faith. The Stars of Faith was unable, however, to reproduce the success the Ward Singers had enjoyed, as Williams retreated from the spotlight to give other members of the group more opportunity to star.
The group's career recovered, however, in 1961, when it appeared in Black Nativity, an off-Broadway production, and toured across North America and Europe. In 1965, Williams began a solo career but soon returned to Miami for her mother's funeral. While there, she felt reinspired to continue her career and began touring college campuses across the country. Her perhaps best-known hit is from this period -- "Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go". In 1991, she performed as a gospel singer in the film Fried Green Tomatoes, though her scene is available only in the director's cut. The movie was dedicated to her. She was honored as a MacArthur Fellow in 1993 and died in 1994.
[edit] External links
* http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4784252
People Got To Be Free
Marion Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People everywhere just wanna be free
Listen, please listen, that's the way it should be
There's peace in the valley, people got to be free
You should see
What a lovely, lovely world this'd be
Everyone learned to live together, ah hah
Such an itty bitty thing should be
Why can't you and me learn to love one another?
All the world over, so easy to see
People everywhere just wanna be free (wanna be free)
I can't understand it, so simple to me
People everywhere just got to be free
If there's a man
Who is down and needs a helpin' hand
All it takes is you to understand and
To pull him through, ah hah
Seems to me
We got to solve it individually, ah ah
And I'll do unto you what you do to me
Said, no
Hear the shoutin' from the mountains on out to the sea
No two ways about it, people have to be free (they gotta be free)
Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be
Natural situation for a man to be free
Get right on board now, huh, huh
Yeah oh, what a feelin's just come over me
Love can move a mountain, make a blind man see
Everybody sing it now come on let's go see
Peace in the valley now, we all can be free
See that train over there?
Now that's the train of freedom
It's about to 'rrive any minute, now
You know it's been'a long, long overdue
Look out 'cause it's a'comin' right on through
Ha, ha, yeah, ha, ha, yeah
Marion Williams’s song “People Got To Be Free” is a powerful message of hope and unity. The lyrics tell us that all people want is to be free and live in peace, and that everyone should learn to live together and support one another. Williams emphasizes the importance of individual actions and how one person can make a difference in someone’s life.
The song starts with an upbeat tone that emphasizes the importance of freedom and unity. Williams repeats the phrase “everyone learned to live together,” emphasizing the idea that people from all backgrounds and cultures should come together despite their differences. The idea that it’s an “itty bitty thing” to learn to love one another emphasizes that it's a small step towards a big goal that can make a profound impact. The song emphasizes the importance of helping others and pulling each other through hard times.
Williams’ message is still relevant today and her song reminds us that we should continue to work towards freedom, equality and unity. By supporting one another and caring for each other, we can create a better world for everyone. The song’s enthusiastic tone and powerful lyrics motivate the listeners to join the cause of freedom and justice for all.
Line by Line Meaning
All the world over, so easy to see
The desire for freedom is universal and evident everywhere in the world.
People everywhere just wanna be free
Freedom is the basic aspiration of all human beings.
Listen, please listen, that's the way it should be
Listening to others and respecting their desire for freedom is the right way to live.
There's peace in the valley, people got to be free
When everyone is allowed to be free, peace reigns everywhere.
You should see
It's time to open our eyes and see the world as it is.
What a lovely, lovely world this'd be
If everyone lived together in harmony, the world would be a beautiful place.
Everyone learned to live together, ah hah
It is possible for everyone to get along and coexist in peaceful harmony.
Seems to me
In my opinion, I believe that...
Such an itty bitty thing should be
It shouldn't be difficult for us to love and respect each other as fellow human beings.
Why can't you and me learn to love one another?
We need to learn to love and accept others, even if they are different from us.
I can't understand it, so simple to me
It's strange to me that not everyone understands the importance of freedom.
If there's a man
When we encounter someone who needs help...
Who is down and needs a helpin' hand
...we should be willing to offer assistance and support.
All it takes is you to understand and
By simply empathizing with others and offering help, we can make a positive difference in their lives.
To pull him through, ah hah
We can help others overcome their struggles and challenges by offering them our support and encouragement.
We got to solve it individually, ah ah
We each have a responsibility to help others, and it's up to us to take action and make a difference.
And I'll do unto you what you do to me
If we treat others with love, respect, and kindness, they are more likely to treat us the same way.
Hear the shoutin' from the mountains on out to the sea
The call for freedom is loud and clear, and can be heard from everywhere.
No two ways about it, people have to be free (they gotta be free)
There is no doubt that freedom is a fundamental human right that everyone deserves and should have.
Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be
If you ask for my opinion on this matter...
Natural situation for a man to be free
Freedom is a natural and necessary condition for human beings.
Yeah oh, what a feelin's just come over me
Freedom brings a sense of joy and exhilaration that cannot be matched.
Love can move a mountain, make a blind man see
Love is a powerful force that can do great things, including bringing clarity and understanding to people who may be blind to certain truths.
Everybody sing it now come on let's go see
Let's all work together to create a world where everyone is free and equal.
Peace in the valley now, we all can be free
When there is peace and freedom for all, everyone can benefit and live fulfilling lives.
See that train over there?
Do you see that train?
Now that's the train of freedom
That train represents the idea of freedom and independence for everyone.
It's about to 'rrive any minute, now
The moment when freedom and equality is achieved is approaching rapidly.
You know it's been'a long, long overdue
The struggle for freedom and equality has been going on for far too long.
Look out 'cause it's a'comin' right on through
The moment of freedom and equality is almost here, so be ready for it!
Ha, ha, yeah, ha, ha, yeah
This is a momentous occasion worth celebrating and being happy about!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD BRIGATI, FELIX CAVALIERE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
trfesok
My favorite Rascals song. Felix Cavaliere later did a solo version (1980). Covered by other fine soul singers: Dionne Warwick, Martha & the Vandellas and The 5th Dimension. I put all of these in my Rascals playlist with the original. Thanks for the upload!