City Called Heaven
Salt Lake Vocal Artists Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am a poor pilgrim of sorrow
And I'm left in this whole wide world
I'm left in this world alone
I have no hope for tomorrow, Lord
But I'm trying to make heaven, Lord, my home, my home

Well, sometimes, I am gonna fall, Lord
And sometimes I'm driven, sometimes, I'm your child

I don't know which way I can run, yes I can run

But I've heard of a city called heaven
And I'm striving to make heaven my home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Salt Lake Vocal Artists' "City Called Heaven (Live)" speak to the experience of being a poor, lonely pilgrim in a difficult world. The song's speaker is searching for hope and a better future, and finds that solace in the idea of heaven. The repeating refrain, "But I'm trying to make heaven, Lord, my home, my home," emphasizes the singer's steadfast commitment to finding a place of comfort and belonging in the afterlife.

The lyrics also touch on the struggle to maintain faith and stay grounded in difficult times. The singer acknowledges that there will be moments of falling and uncertainty, but ultimately leans into their faith in the promise of heaven. This message resonates with audiences who may be struggling through hardships, but can find comfort and inspiration in the idea of an eternal reward for their perseverance and hope.

Overall, "City Called Heaven (Live)" is a poignant and uplifting gospel song about finding hope and salvation in the face of adversity. Its message of resilience and faith has made it a beloved classic in the genre of gospel music.

Line by Line Meaning

I am a poor pilgrim of sorrow
I am a traveler, filled with sadness and grief.

And I'm left in this whole wide world
I have been abandoned in this vast world.

I'm left in this world alone
I am alone in this world.

I have no hope for tomorrow, Lord
I have lost all hope for the future, Lord.

But I'm trying to make heaven, Lord, my home, my home
But I am striving to make heaven my final dwelling place.

Well, sometimes, I am gonna fall, Lord
At times, I will stumble and fail, Lord.

And sometimes I'm driven, sometimes, I'm your child
At times, I am moved by your spirit, and other times, I am your faithful servant.

I don't know which way I can run, yes I can run
I am unsure which direction to take, but I know I can keep moving forward.

But I've heard of a city called heaven
I have been told about a place known as heaven.

And I'm striving to make heaven my home
I am working hard to ensure heaven becomes my eternal abode.

Contributed by Alice P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@InkwellCurtis

4y↑15

LYRICS
------------

I am a pilgrim, a pilgrim of sorrow
I'm left in this wide world, this wide world alone

Ain't got no hope, got no hope for tomorrow
Trying to make it, make heaven my home

I am a pilgrim, a pilgrim of sorrow
I'm left in this wide world, this wide world alone

Ain't got no hope, got no hope for tomorrow
Trying to make it, make heaven my home

Sometimes I'm tossed and I'm driven, Lord!

Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn
Ooooooooh~

Heard of a city, a city called heaven
Trying to make it, make heaven my home

Sometimes I'm tossed and I'm driven, Lord!

Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn
Ooooooooh~

Heard of a city, a city called heaven
Trying to make it, make heaven my home

All comments from YouTube:

@notchrismartin

4y↑25

They sing beautifully honestly. I remember doing this song at a Chamber Choir Festival. Our choir was mainly black and latino teens. So the black teens were showing us the techniques they used in church to sing this song in a more gospel/soulful way, which we went with at the festival. However, one of the judges was super against that. So it’s so weird how music is perceived or appreciated under different lights

@AlyshaMonique

12y↑50

My choir sang this song recently and I had the solo. I REALLY loved this rendition, however, the best so far. :) And big ups to the fantastic soloist. :)

@sparrowcycle

5y↑1

Can you believe it's been 7 years?

@mikhailarobinson4510

1y↑1

@@sparrowcycle 10 years 🤷🏻‍♀️

@calarooni

12y↑2

This rendition deserves far more than forty likes.

@billyfwilliams615

6y↑13

THANK GOD FOR JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@yoshidex64

5y↑3

I have to sing this song in chorus class for our last concert.We don't have all of it down and our concert is tomorrow.

Ha ha ha... were in trouble

@nadiaishimwe3663

wow im so late...but how was it???

@gibgabs2899

4y↑3

Oh my goodness, 3:05 is my absolute favorite, those buildups and fast decrescendos are amazing!!

@EliasCenciPinate

8y↑9

This song is just amazing... awesome voccals

@dear_totheheart

12y↑17

Not my favorite but undoubtably well executed, the timing is perfect, the soloist did amazing! I like how it builds and how you breathe in unision, this is how choirs are supposed to be :)

@mayrally7029

9y↑13

I have to sing this in my choir

@giannagarcia2878

5y↑1

Hey me too. I sang the solo :)

@iluv2sing2011

12y↑6

Superb performance I really loved your decrescendo into the crescendo at 3:05! Excellent!!

@Emmy01077

10y↑4

my school choir sang this it was awesome!

@xzayaivy12

11y↑9

My choir is singing this for our concert June 4th so excited and I just auditioned for the 2nd solo part so hopefully I get it

@flyaway1

2y↑1

Did you get it?

@juhanipalola9046

1y↑1

beautiful!

@dracthealien5200

45w

this was one of my favourites back in school choir <3

@brian_bk_keith

12y↑1

Wow i sung this in MS and I had the solo...then puberty hit and i became a baritone lol...great job you guys

@annalisevezina110

4y↑4

They're crescendo-decrescendo are absolutely everything!
My school tried to sing this song in eighth grade and it was kind of terrible... but they are so so good! It was so wonderful to hear what this song is supposed to sound like and just so nostalgic because I have wonderful memories attached to it!

@singerboi588

12y↑6

I love this piece!! Only recommendation, that I've learned through singing it with multiple venues and groups that it needs to be like "spiritual" like. But this performance is amazing though!!! Great soloist!!

@jamalscott7293

6y↑2

Very Great version takes a lot of breath control and great breathing technique when decresendo

@stephanieashley4613

Gives me the chills. Beautiful!

@donnamariebeck2413

9y↑2

Beautiful!!!

@andyadams9174

11y

Absolutely wonderful! Perfect!!!

@xzayaivy12

11y

Wow the best I've heard it! Soooo amazed!

@phmoreira_

8y↑1

MY GOSH!!! THAT'S AMAZING!! we do the same arranging on my college! it's a wonderful music!

@alicebrauwers9836

6y↑2

Love this song sm❤❤❤ I am gonna sing the solo on our next school concert😳

@hiansilva3401

7y↑5

The best version

@MrWumpWump

11y↑5

2:20 tenor line. Like damn.

@maestrolynn12

12y↑7

Awesome Job SLVA!! The thing about compositions like this: It's not "trying" to make it sound like a spiritual, It's being true to your spirit, and delivering the text, melodic and harmonic material, etc., in a truthful and holistic manner as possible. A gospel choir, in all actuality, would end up having to learn this from rote (many of these singers don't read music well at all)...If we're being truly honest, ultimately needing more time to understand all of the nuances of this composition.

@downy1202

49w↑1

But this is a negro spiritual. I don’t appreciate this composition at all. Hearing Mahalia Jackson singing this on a record many Saturday mornings as my grandma cleaned this version hurts my heart.

@DaChamps15

38w

@@downy1202 That Mahalia Jackson version is for a soloist, this arrangement was made for choir. This version is one of the most popular spiritual choral arrangements, no need to put it down.

@XCrazyDreX

12y↑3

thank you for putting this on YouTube. i have a test on this tomorrow and this is helping a lot im praying that i pass because i singing bass so i have to go down an up singing this song and i would like to know if you can let a male bass singer sing the solo alone so i can learn it before next mouth please and thank you.

@Songabirdi

11y↑1

Wow! Hope I and the chorus live up to your standard that you guys set when and if we ever do this version of City Called Heaven.

@Utahjazz416

12y

Good job Melissa B

@discombobulate2388

12y

1:17--I love the bass sound on this note!

@larryocca

12y

Bravo!

@zoezachcommissaris2347

6y↑25

It was a very good performance. And I know vowels are very important. But... The vowels were so pronounced that it was kinda hard to understand. More consonants next time.

@Lauren-kx7tr

9y↑60

this is a really good version, theyre kinda dragging the tempo but its still a really good song.

@logancoryshares4040

7y↑4

Pretty true to written tempo. Just did this piece and thought the same thing. Can be done significantly faster and doesn't compromise the piece at all. Arguably better. Beautiful performance none the less.

@hortensiamanas1130

Precioso!

@momMAMORRIS3x

12y↑1

Just loved the soul rhythm in this bluesy gospel! The soloist - Melissa did a superb job! Also loved hearing the piano accompaniment! I want to listen again.....just really love the strong beat you feel the singers exhibit! Thanks for a great performance!

@ericaantunes7917

11y

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@spidaman0812

12y↑1

I love the sFz at 3:05 (:

@TF2Ham

13w

learning this in 8th grade instead of somewhere like high school or college, what ya know about that

@paulhaynes6463

So fine.

@Jbm0230

9y↑25

Hey! Soloists don't need microphones... ;) Very well done!

@zoezachcommissaris2347

6y↑3

I agree but... you do know she was using one. Right?

@lancearyn8656

She used one

@felixsatia

7y↑1

Mr Brady Allred. Can you sing a popular piece, like The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, by Tom Fettke? Pleaseeee

@InkwellCurtis

4y↑15

@PraetorLupus1

11y↑2

@XCrazyDreX a little late but i am a guy and i sang the solo

@Thicktorious

11y↑2

This the closest version that I've heard to her arrangement! Everyone else sings it too fast! #allcityelementaryyouthchourus95-97

@JulIan-qr7xm

Melo

@LilDP

11y↑7

Sometimes, with this style of music it's better to feel them rather than "perform" them. You're little less of a musician and now you're a little bit of an actor. Feel the music. Regardless, great performance.

@mayrally7029

GAH!

@Emmy01077

10y

....:-)

@calypso9288

6y↑127

They’re amazing singers but they tried why too hard to make this opera-y. The song is supposed to have soul, keep it that way.

@patrickproctor3462

5y↑11

I think you mean they tried too hard to make it black, while they're almost all classically trained which includes basic operatic techniques. They felt it. They were IN it. That doesn't mean that even the very best choir in the world can sound stupendous at everything.

@thatsacoolone9038

5y↑5

Too polished + too much vibrato = boring.

@carlosalejandroalvarenga4913

5y↑9

@@thatsacoolone9038 maybe to you. But I really liked it. Sure it was written for soul/gospel singing, but that doesn't mean that it cant be fun or creative in other types if singing