Shirley Caesar (born October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina) is an Amer… Read Full Bio ↴Shirley Caesar (born October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina) is an American Gospel music singer. She is a multi-award winner with eleven Grammy awards and seven Dove awards to her credit. She is a graduate of Shaw University with a degree in Business Administration. She also received an honorary doctorate from Shaw University and another one from Southeastern University.

Pastor Shirley has recorded over forty albums since the 60s exploring her gift and spreading messages of faith. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals, Mama I Want to Sing, Sing: Mama 2, and Born to Sing: Mama 3. Her credits also include a series of commercials for MCI Communications and several awards for her recordings. She has been awarded 11 Grammy Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 3 RIAA gold certifications, an Essence Award, McDonald's Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Pastor Shirley has made several notable appearances including the televised Live from Disney World Night of Joy, the Gospel According to VH-1, a White House performance for George Bush, and a speech on the Evolution of Gospel Music to the US Treasury Department.
She has blessed so many around the world and will remain an example.

Don't Be Afraid
Shirley Caesar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

O Peter Peter don't be afraid
Jesus said O yeah don't be afraid (O Peter don't be afraid)
O Peter don't be afraid (O Peter don't be afraid)
Walk on out on the water Peter yeah (walk out on the water)
Don't be afraid my Lord (don't be afraid)
I heard Jesus say Peter you denied Me yeah don't be afraid
Peter you denied Me don't be afraid
(Peter you denied Me don't be afraid)

Peter you denied Me oh yes you did don't be
Afraid oh yeah (Peter you denied Me don't be afraid)
Walk on on the water Peter don't be
Afraid (walk out on the water don't be afraid)
I heard Jesus say I AM Mary's baby
Peter don't be afraid yes (mmmm mmmm)
(I AM Mary's baby don't be afraid don't be
Afraid) I'm Mary's baby Peter don't be afraid
I AM Mary's baby yes I AM don't be
Afraid (I AM Mary's baby don't be afraid)
Step on the water Peter (walk out on the water)
Walk on out on the water (walk out on the water)
Walk on the water Peter ooohhh (walk out on the water)
Don't be afraid yeah (don't be afraid)
Blessed are they that moan (mmmm mmmm)
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm (mmmm mmm mmm mmmm)
Mmmmmm mmm mmm mmm oh yeah (mmm mmm mmm mmm)
My Lord Jesus said blessed are they that
Moan for they shall be comforted (mmm mmm mmm)
Mmm mm mmm my Lord
Walk out on the water yeah (walk out on the water)
Walk on the water Peter yeah (walk out on the water)
Trouble is all around you somehow oh yeah (walk out on the water)
For these are the last days yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
The hell has arisen everywhere yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
How they talked about me yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
Walk on the water Peter oh yeah (walk out on the water)
Don't be afraid (don't be afraid) be a
Mmm mmm mmm (mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm)
Oh yeah (mmm mmm mmm mmm)

Mm mmm mmm (mmm mmm mmm mmm mmmm)
Mmmmm mmmm mmm mmm mmmm mmmm (mmm mmmm mmm)

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Be Afraid" by Shirley Caesar is a gospel song that is inspired by the story of Peter walking on water towards Jesus from the book of Matthew in the Bible. The song begins with Jesus reassuring Peter not to be afraid and to walk on the water as he does. The repetition of the phrase "Peter don't be afraid" emphasizes the message of the song: to trust in Jesus and not be afraid. The lyrics then mention how Jesus reminds Peter of his past mistake of denying him, but that even then, Jesus still loves and forgives him. The song encourages listeners to have faith in Jesus and to trust in him during difficult times.

The song also touches on the theme of mourning and finding comfort. The phrase "blessed are they that moan" is referencing Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This suggests that those who experience hardships and mourn will find comfort in their faith and in Jesus.

Overall, the song is a call for those who are struggling to trust in Jesus and not be afraid, despite the troubles in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

O Peter Peter don't be afraid
Jesus is encouraging Peter to not be afraid

Jesus said O yeah don't be afraid (O Peter don't be afraid)
Jesus is reassuring Peter that he shouldn't be scared

O Peter don't be afraid (O Peter don't be afraid)
This line repeats the message to Peter to not be afraid

Walk on out on the water Peter yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus is telling Peter to step out of his comfort zone and walk on water like him

Don't be afraid my Lord (don't be afraid)
Peter is calling Jesus his Lord and asking for reassurance to not be scared

I heard Jesus say Peter you denied Me yeah don't be afraid
Jesus is reminding Peter about his past mistake of denying him, but also encouraging him to not let fear hold him back

Peter you denied Me don't be afraid (Peter you denied Me don't be afraid)
This line repeats the message to Peter to not let fear block him from moving forward

Peter you denied Me oh yes you did don't be afraid oh yeah (Peter you denied Me don't be afraid)
Jesus acknowledges Peter's mistake but is also trying to motivate him to move beyond it and not be scared of future challenges

Walk on on the water Peter don't be afraid (walk out on the water don't be afraid)
Jesus is still urging Peter to overcome his fear and take a risk by walking on water with him

I heard Jesus say I AM Mary's baby Peter don't be afraid yes (mmmm mmmm)
Jesus reminds Peter of his own divinity and tells him to not be scared

(I AM Mary's baby don't be afraid don't be afraid) I'm Mary's baby Peter don't be afraid
Jesus is emphasizing his identity and telling Peter to trust him and not let fear take over him

I AM Mary's baby yes I AM don't be afraid (I AM Mary's baby don't be afraid)
Jesus is reinforcing his own divine nature and encouraging Peter to have faith

Step on the water Peter (walk out on the water)
Jesus is urging Peter to literally step out of his boat and walk on water with him

Walk on out on the water (walk out on the water)
Jesus is still encouraging Peter to take a risk and walk on water with him

Walk on the water Peter ooohhh (walk out on the water)
Jesus is emphasizing the importance of walking on water as a symbol of overcoming fear and doubt

Don't be afraid yeah (don't be afraid)
Jesus is still repeating his message of not letting fear hold Peter back

Blessed are they that moan (mmmm mmmm)
Jesus is quoting a passage from the Bible where he explains that those who grieve will receive comfort

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm (mmmm mmm mmm mmmm)
This line is a repetition of the previous phrase

Mmmmmm mmm mmm mmm oh yeah (mmm mmm mmm mmm)
This line repeats the last phrase with exclamation

My Lord Jesus said blessed are they that Moan for they shall be comforted (mmm mmm mmm)
Jesus is telling Peter that even in moments of sorrow, comfort can be found

Mmm mm mmm my Lord
This line is a repetition of the previous one, but with added emphasis of praise to Jesus

Trouble is all around you somehow oh yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus is acknowledging that there are challenges in life, but still urging Peter to have faith and walk on water with him

For these are the last days yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus may be implying that the end of the world is near, but still emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear and doubt

The hell has arisen everywhere yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus is emphasizing the chaotic nature of the world, but still urging Peter to trust him and walk on water

How they talked about me yeah yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus may be referencing the people who had spoken ill of him during his life, but is still urging Peter to have faith

Walk on the water Peter oh yeah (walk out on the water)
Jesus is still motivating Peter to walk on water with him despite the obstacles

Don't be afraid (don't be afraid) be a
Jesus is still encouraging Peter to let go of fear and embrace faith

Mmm mmm mmm (mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm)
This line is a repetition of the earlier phrase from the passage in the Bible

Oh yeah (mmm mmm mmm mmm)
This line emphasizes the comforting nature of faith

Mm mmm mmm (mmm mmm mmm mmm mmmm)
This line further emphasizes the message of not being held back by fear and doubt

Mmmmm mmmm mmm mmm mmmm mmmm (mmm mmmm mmm)
This line repeats the earlier repetition and emphasizes the comforting message of the Bible passage

Writer(s): Billy Brown

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

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Comments from YouTube:

@anthonym6559

2y↑5

I love this music it’s like the Holly Spirit fills my heart whenever I hear it.

@wittenberg5

13y↑15

how many times in our lives do we have those "peter moments", when what we need to do seems impossible. Yet God is calling us to greater things, all we need to is give him our best effort and trust him... and we too can walk on water!