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.
Jailbird
Shirley Caesar Lyrics
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In walk a man bound in chains tears rolling down his face
Judge said
You been found guilty son
Your gonna be sentence today
Have you any thing to say
Before they carry you away
He said
I'm just a jailbird
Aint much to tell
Been in trouble with the law
Since the day I was 12
You know what
I meet a man name jesus today
He save me and for gave me
I just wanna lift my voice
And praise him while I'm able
And he cried
Go in the name of jesus
He is my redeemer
I will never be the same
He save my soul he sign my name
I will lift him up forever
Sun shine stormy weather
I got a right to praise his name church even a jailbird
Early one sunday morning
It was dark and it was cold
An angel stood up on death row to receive the dead man soul
Somebody shouted on the cell block
Old jailbird finally got his wings
They can hear the sounds of church bells
I was just another jailbird
Sitting right there in my on cell
Waiting on the devil to come
To take me to a burning hell
Then the angel of the lord appeared
With power in his hand
Saying fear not old jailbird
I'm going to take you to a better land
You don't have to be afraid
To give the lord your life today
He'll mind all scatter pieces
Just remember
The word of god is real
Jesus own the potter field
And every broken vessel
Glory to the name of jesus
He is lord my redeemer
I will never be the same
He save my soul and sign my name
I will lift him up forever
Sun shine stormy weather
I got a right to praise his name
Even the jailbird
Sing glory to the name of jesus
He is lord my redeemer
I will never be the same
He save my soul and he sign my name
I will lift him up forever
Sunshine stormy weather
I got a right to praise his name
Even the jailbird sing
Shirley Caesar's "Jailbird" is a song about a man who is convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison. The song opens with the singer witnessing the court proceedings and a man being sentenced. The man, who has been in trouble with the law since the day he was 12, speaks up and tells the judge that he has met Jesus and has been forgiven. He wants to lift his voice and praise Jesus while he still can.
The second section of the song tells the story of the man's redemption. He recounts how an angel appeared to him on death row and assured him that he didn't have to be afraid to give his life to the Lord. The man is now singing and praising Jesus, even though he is still in prison. The song ends with the chorus proclaiming that even a jailbird has the right to praise Jesus and be saved.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and moving, telling a story of hope and redemption. The message is clear: no matter how far you have fallen or how broken you feel, there is always a chance to turn your life around and find salvation. The song's theme has resonated with many listeners over the years and continues to inspire those who have faced struggles and hardships in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I was sitting there when they call the next case
The singer was present in court when the judge called the next case
In walk a man bound in chains tears rolling down his face
A man walked in with chains and tears on his face
Judge said
The judge spoke
You been found guilty son
The judge found the man guilty
Your gonna be sentence today
The man will be sentenced on that day
Have you any thing to say
The judge asked the man if he had anything to say
Before they carry you away
Before he is taken away
He said
The man replied
I'm just a jailbird
The man considers himself a lifelong criminal
Aint much to tell
There isn't much about his life worth sharing
Been in trouble with the law
He has been in legal trouble many times
Since the day I was 12
This has been the case since he was a child
You know what
He made a point of drawing attention to what he was about to say
I meet a man name jesus today
He met a man named Jesus on that day
He save me and for gave me
Jesus saved him and forgave him
I just wanna lift my voice
He wants to praise Jesus
And praise him while I'm able
He wants to praise Jesus while he still has the chance
And he cried
Then he shouted
Go in the name of jesus
He urged others to go in the name of Jesus
He is my redeemer
Jesus is his redeemer
I will never be the same
He will never be the same after his encounter with Jesus
He save my soul he sign my name
Jesus saved his soul and signed his name in the book of life
I will lift him up forever
He will always praise Jesus
Sun shine stormy weather
He will praise Jesus in all circumstances
I got a right to praise his name church even a jailbird
Everyone has the right to praise Jesus, even a criminal
Early one sunday morning
One Sunday morning, very early
It was dark and it was cold
The weather was dark and cold
An angel stood up on death row to receive the dead man soul
An angel was present on death row to take a man's soul
Somebody shouted on the cell block
Someone shouted from a cell in the block
Old jailbird finally got his wings
The man finally passed on
They can hear the sounds of church bells
People could hear the sound of church bells
I was just another jailbird
The artist was once just another criminal
Sitting right there in my on cell
He was sitting in his own cell
Waiting on the devil to come
He was waiting for the devil to take him to hell
To take me to a burning hell
To take him to eternal torment
Then the angel of the lord appeared
An angel of the Lord came to him
With power in his hand
The angel had power in his hand
Saying fear not old jailbird
The angel told him not to fear
I'm going to take you to a better land
The angel was going to take him to a better place
You don't have to be afraid
He didn't have to be afraid
To give the lord your life today
He could surrender his life to the Lord that day
He'll mind all scatter pieces
The Lord will take care of all the broken pieces of his life
Just remember
He should remember
The word of god is real
The word of God is true
Jesus own the potter field
Jesus owns everything
And every broken vessel
And every broken person
Glory to the name of jesus
Praise Jesus
Even the jailbird
Even a criminal
Sing glory to the name of jesus
Singing praise to Jesus
He is lord my redeemer
Jesus is his redeemer and lord
Sunshine stormy weather
In good times and bad
I got a right to praise his name
Everyone has the right to praise Jesus
Contributed by Charlotte N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rosenette Paddio
Love this song ❤️💯🙏🏿🕯️ AMEN
celeste matthews
I love Shirley Caesar she is a anointed woman of God and her music and her ministry have blessed me throughout the years. Beautiful duet with her and Dallas Lockett.
Claude Brown
I love this song, To God be the Glory! !I!
jewelk chatman48
This is
jewelk chatman48
ab
jewelk chatman48
Beautiful song
Laura Matthews
This is a powerful most tearful song I've ever heard she did a great job even the young man who sang his part even jailbird can repent to and be save
Dekayla Baskin
I always loved this song when I was lil my daddy was always in jail and I used to pray and listen to this all the time and sometimes cry
biggie black gang
I cry off this song bc my son been in jail since 2014 he been gone 4yrs goin on 5 n it's still hurt to dis day
Timothy Readon
I love how the jurors were the choir