Early in the Morning
Peter Paul Mary Lyrics
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I ask the Lord, "Help me find the way!"
Help me find the way (help me find the way)
To the promised land (to the promised land)
This lonely body (this lonely body)
Needs a helping hand (needs a helping hand)
I ask the Lord (I ask the Lord) to help me please find the way
I bow my head in prayer (I bow my head in prayer)
I pray to the Lord, "Won't you lead me there?"
Won't you guide me safely (guide me)
To the Golden Stair (Golden Stair)?
Won't you let this body your burden share?
I pray to the Lord, "Won't you lead me please, lead me there?"
When the judgment comes to find the world in shame
When the trumpet blows won't you call my name (won't you call my name)?
When the thunder rolls and the heavens rain
When the sun turns black, never shine again (never shine again)
When the trumpet blows, won't you call me please, call my name!
The song "Early in the Morning" by Peter, Paul, and Mary is a gospel-inspired song about seeking guidance from God. The first verse describes the singer's plea for guidance as the day breaks. The singer asks the Lord to help him find the way to the promised land, as his lonely body needs a helping hand. In the second verse, the singer continues his prayer by bowing his head and asking the Lord to lead him on his journey. He asks God to guide him safely to the Golden Stair and to allow his body to share in God's burden. The third verse speaks of the day of judgment when the world will be in shame, and the trumpet will blow. The singer asks God to call his name when the trumpet blows, and the sun no longer shines.
The lyrics of the song reflect the African-American gospel tradition of seeking hope and redemption through faith in God. The Promised Land refers to the biblical promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, which was seen as a symbol of the ultimate reward for those who followed God's teachings. The Golden Stair metaphorically represents the path to heaven, which Christians believe leads to eternal salvation. The song encourages listeners to have faith in God and to seek guidance in times of trouble and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Well early in the morning, about the break of day
At the crack of dawn, when the day is just beginning
I ask the Lord, "Help me find the way!"
I beseech God to show me the way forward
Help me find the way (help me find the way)
I beg for guidance and enlightenment
To the promised land (to the promised land)
To the heaven that I believe exists
This lonely body (this lonely body)
This isolated and struggling self
Needs a helping hand (needs a helping hand)
Needs some form of assistance and support
I ask the Lord (I ask the Lord) to help me please find the way
I humbly implore God to guide and strengthen me on my journey
When the new day's a-dawning (day's a dawning)
As the sun rises on a new day
I bow my head in prayer (I bow my head in prayer)
I adopt a position of reverence and devotion
I pray to the Lord, "Won't you lead me there?"
I converse with God and ask for divine help
Won't you guide me safely (guide me)
Please navigate me securely
To the Golden Stair (Golden Stair)?
To the royal passages to heaven?
Won't you let this body your burden share?
Will you allow me to partake in what you carry?
I pray to the Lord, "Won't you lead me please, lead me there?"
I ask God to guide and accompany me to my destination
When the judgment comes to find the world in shame
In the day of reckoning, when humanity is revealed as flawed
When the trumpet blows won't you call my name (won't you call my name)?
Would you kindly acknowledge me when the horn is blown?
When the thunder rolls and the heavens rain
At the moment of crisis and upheaval
When the sun turns black, never shine again (never shine again)
When the solar orb is extinguished forever
When the trumpet blows, won't you call me please, call my name!
At the sound of the horn, please summon me to your side
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Noel Paul Stookey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind