See Them Come
Professor Lyrics

The song "See Them Come" by Professor and featuring Ashanti Roydel Johnson (the Congos) is a powerful and evocative meditation on the city of Jerusalem and its power to draw people from all over the world. The lyrics describe how people from a hundred different nations and speaking a hundred different tongues are all called to Jerusalem, and how the sounds of a thousand morning bells cast a spell of a time still to come. The vision of a world united in its desire for peace and freedom is contrasted with the reality of Jerusalem as a city that has seen much strife and conflict.

The song opens with the line "See how they run", which immediately calls to mind the nursery rhyme 'Hey Diddle Diddle'. However, the tone of the lyrics is anything but lighthearted. The use of the word "run" suggests a sense of urgency and desperation, as if people are fleeing towards Jerusalem to find some kind of salvation or hope. This is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "just bring them come", which suggests that people are being called towards Jerusalem by some kind of higher power or force.

The repeated use of the word "Jerusalem" throughout the song creates a powerful sense of place and history. For many people, Jerusalem is a city of great religious significance, and the lyrics reflect this by describing how people are called to "the gates of Jerusalem" and how "David from the tribe of Judah said behold Jerusalem". The sense of yearning and longing for this place is palpable, and the guitar solo that follows the chorus adds to the sense of transcendence and spiritual elevation.

Overall, "See Them Come" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the deep human desire for connection, meaning, and a sense of purpose in life. The imagery of people running towards Jerusalem creates a sense of urgency and desperation, while the repeated use of the word "Jerusalem" creates a powerful sense of place and history.