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.
Mother Emanuel
Shirley Caesar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You thought your children when
To love instead of hate
They did not discriminate
Standing strong against the gates of hell
Oh mama mother Emmanuel
Oh mama mother Emmanuel
The colour of our skin
Just can′t change
The lyrics to Shirley Caesar's song, "Mother Emanuel," pay tribute to the memory of the nine African Americans who were killed in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015. The song is a heart-wrenching recount of the events and highlights the resilience of the victims' families and the church community. The opening lines, "Oh mama mother Emmanuel, you taught your children when to love instead of hate, they did not discriminate," expresses gratitude to the church's community for teaching forgiveness and unconditional love. Caesar fondly remembers the church's teachings of love and harmony, in spite of the hate and discrimination they faced outside its gates.
The following lines, "Standing strong against the gates of hell, Oh mama mother Emmanuel" are a nod to the spirit of the people who refused to let hate permeate their church. It's a powerful message that no matter how much hate one encounters, love always prevails. "Oh, mama, mother Emmanuel, you taught your children when the color of our skin just can't change," is an assertion that one's skin color should not determine how one is treated. The song is a tribute to the victims and a reminder that love is more powerful than hate.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh mama mother Emmanuel
O beloved Mother Emmanuel
You thought your children when
You taught your children that
To love instead of hate
it's better to love than to hate
They did not discriminate
they treated everyone equally
Standing strong against the gates of hell
even when faced with adversity, they remained firm in their beliefs
The colour of our skin
Our skin color
Just can′t change
is something that can't be altered
Oh mama mother Emmanuel
O beloved Mother Emmanuel
Writer(s): Dony Mcguire, Reba Rambo-mcguire, Raymond Charles Jr Davis
Contributed by Wyatt N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gloriareid1539
This song touch the core of my heart ❤ everytime I hear this song its resonate about my wonderful and blessed Mother Evangelist May Reid..her work on earth as ended and have gone on another assignment by Lord. Cherish your mother dont scatter roses when they are gone...happy I did my part and we created beautiful memories together. Sleep and take your rest Mother Reid.
@edwardbrown7081
Ms ceaser thank you for your blessing in music and in your songs you are a true true blessing from the Lord may the Lord forever shine the True light you are
@BrendaLedwaba0123
I heard it for the first time on DMX Gospel channel and I cant stop playing it. It touches the spirit man.
@kayholcomb1
A wonderful person, " God bless you ".
@christinescott6485
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@Dev-zd3rx
@@christinescott6485 ?
@Themaddprof
Thank you Evangelist Caesar. I'm from Charleston and knew three of the nine whose lives were taken.
@louadarministries
Beautiful, Ms. Shirley Caesar anointed as always! Love the lyrics, music and vocals!
@jordanbennett2080
wow beautiful..charleston appreciates this Mrs. Shirley! 😘
@RITAC1310
Shirley Caesar, Is Simply The Best!!!!!