I'll Take You There
Staple Singers Lyrics

Oh mmm I know a place
Ain't nobody cryin'
Ain't nobody worried
Ain't no smilin' faces
Mmm, no no
Lyin' to the races
Help me, come on, come on
Somebody, help me now (I'll take you there)
Help me, ya'all (I'll take you there)
Help me now (I'll take you there)

Oh! (I'll take you there)
Oh! Oh! Mercy! (I'll take you there)
Oh, let me take you there (I'll take you there)
Oh-oh! Let me take you there! (I'll take you there)
Play your, play your piano now
All right Ah do it do it
Come on now
Play on it, play on it
Daddy daddy daddy
Ooh, Lord
All right now
Baby, easy now
Now, come on, little lady
All right
Dum-dum-dum-dum
Sock it, sock it
Ah, oh, oh!
I know a place, ya'all (I'll take you there)
Ain't nobody cryin' (I'll take you there)
Ain't nobody worried (I'll take you there)
No smilin' faces (I'll take you there)
Uh-uh (lyin' to the races) (I'll take you there)
Oh, no Oh! (I'll take you there)
Oh oh oh! (I'll take you there)
Mercy now! (I'll take you there)
I'm callin' callin' callin' mercy (I'll take you there)
Mercy mercy! (I'll take you there)
Let me (I'll take you there)
Oh oh! I'll take you there (I'll take you there)

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Written by: Alvertis Isbell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01I'll Take You There

Staple Singers

02Uncloudy Day3:21

03I Know I've Got Religion2:17

04Will The Circle Be Unbroken2:39

05God's Wonderful Love2:37

06Low Is The Way2:53

07Don't Knock2:20

08Let's Go Home1:30

09I've Been Scorned2:39

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Comments from YouTube:

@earnestinehamilton9760

13w↑43

I'm 70 and I can tell you something about the Staples Singer 2024❤

@kathleenrygiel6964

7w↑3

I'm 68 and Mavis rules

@robertgross2115

I'm 70 too. We were Rockin hard to the Staple Singers.

@AdisaNyatui-md7ve

26w↑56

I was 17 when this song came out, it was perfect for civil rights, and it's still perfect for church.

@calltainnfearna4699

Amen and Amen !

@kathleenrygiel6964

aint nothing wrong with this song

@d.tucker4929

28w↑30

Glad Pops said to his family, "Let's spread out our wonderous music to the entire world."

@paulaisbell4985

16w↑3

My uncle wrote song Al Bell after one of uncles was murdered. The lyrics came to my uncle sitting in a bus my grandaddy bought to calm him down about losing a younger brother

@ecureuil-xd9mn

49w↑27

A gift to humanity.

@ACEBeantown

1y↑17

Today, December 5th the founder of Stax Records passed away - Jim Stewart . Jim created the space to record so many great music like The Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Wilson Pickett, David Porter and Otis Redding. Thank you for the great music Jim...

@paulaisbell4985

16w↑2

Fact check. He did but my uncle Al Bell wrote the song that Took u there. To a place where ain't no smiling faces lying to the Race.

@missayawk

2y↑14

Pop Staples and his beautiful daughters....MERCY!!!

@multinationalcorporationtv

22w↑28

This is real music.

@tweston315

46w↑59

I'm watching Mavis in concert on TV right now and she's 83 years young and she still sounds great in 2023🎉🎉❤❤

@kathleenrygiel6964

God bless her

@danaharris7124

17w↑30

My favorite song since I was 7 years old. Im 56.. Still my song❤❤❤

@papamidnight7216

3y↑157

My mom passed away from a combination of Alzheimers and COVID-19 last year. She was 94 and this was her favorite song back in the day and until she knocked on the gates of Heaven.

Mom, may the Creator rest your soul in eternal peace and paradise. ❤

@babe2you

2y↑7

R.ip. to your mother. ❤️
I'm sorry for you loss

@ordainfaithpublishing

2y↑9

Condolences
God bless you ✝

@GG.1900

2y↑5

😔❤️🙏🏽

@Y.W_2024

2y↑3

RIP Mom! Ma she rest in peace!!

@gailjestus5734

Beautiful 💖💖🙏🙏

11 More Replies...

@jurrisaddler8427

41w↑12

This was not only a great song, but an anthem

@petarreskusic4136

29w↑15

When I heard this song for the first time l was 22 years old, and I feel the same today been 73 years young.Thanks to this immortal song:"Just waiting to be taken there where nobody's carrying !"✌️😇👍 L❤VE to my Sisters & Brothers in U S A 🇺🇲

@corienschneiders4294

14w↑1

Beautifull ❤

@calltainnfearna4699

And ❤ love to you too !

@stephenjackson4392

2y↑234

One of the greatest songs of all time. If this don't wanna make ya get up and dance nothin will

@benardlawrence2869

2y↑6

That's exactly right well put

@debbierentzell9355

2y↑4

Amen

@debbierentzell9355

2y↑4

Amen

@debbierentzell9355

2y↑2

Amen

@katnip198

2y↑2

AMEN!

9 More Replies...

@speculizer1971

3y↑288

That funky bass will NEVER get old...

@BiggieTrismegistus

3y↑7

The intro and bass line are taken from "The Liquidator" by the Harry J All-Stars

@scottblakey1603

3y↑5

The lyrics are wrong during the bass solo. David was the bass player's name. Mavis sings Davey not baby Little Davey (cuz he was short) Davey not Lady. Recorded by the Swampers in Muscle Shoals. There's a movie about them, they backed up Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones and had Dwayne Alman living in a tent in the studio parking lot.

@sleestak42

@@BiggieTrismegistus no

@sleestak42

3y↑1

@@scottblakey1603 Thank you for catching that. I hate copyright infringement.

@BiggieTrismegistus

3y↑2

@@sleestak42 What do you mean "no"? The intro and bass are blatantly taken from "The Liquidator" by the Harry J All Stars. A quick listen confirms it.

11 More Replies...

@BENjamin3931

2y↑91

Whoever put this together ... fantastic job! Thank you.

@paulaisbell4985

16w↑1

My uncle Al Bell

@markrobinson7975

3y↑532

Recovering from depression, alcohol and drug dependency. Been feeling better and better.... This song lifts me so much. Love to all!

@elizabethd.2398

3y↑21

God loves you. Happy Easter!

@markrobinson7975

3y↑12

@@elizabethd.2398 And to you!

@Puckhog

3y↑14

Hope you can overcome it all i'm praying for you have faith.

@markrobinson7975

3y↑23

@@Puckhog Hello my friend. I have been six months sober, I have a new place, just finished a course for a new job and I feel incredible. I found a real sense of calm and I'm doing my best to help others in the same situation. Thank you for your kindness. Without the support of kind souls like yourself I wouldn't have made it this far. Much love.

@markrobinson7975

3y↑26

I often forget about this post and then every now and then I get a notification saying someone liked the message. It's such a good feeling to know people out there are kind and supportive to a stranger on YouTube! My life is going great, I have a wonderful partner and I am on my way back to being a Fire Fighter again. Something I thought I had lost forever. Thank you for all your kindness, I do my best to put that out in the world moving forward. The little things do make a huge difference.

94 More Replies...

@Chamuel1310

1y↑64

This phenomenal music NEVER GETS OLD. Share with our young to help them understand where they come from. ❤❤❤

@amyprice5313

2y↑37

Anyone else notice how Mavis can sing that super low note in the interlude!! All I got say is wow!! Perfection, she could make her voice sound like a base!! Rich and gorgeous!

@JameGreg26

52w

Hello Amy

@MrNathan791

2y↑83

This song’s beautiful and so meaningful. This song says so much and with not a lot of lyrics but the message, the groove and that era was so powerful. No matter your race; freedom, enjoying life is universal. As a kid back in the 70’s I do remember the good times and coming together in the neighborhood. What a classic by a classy music loving family. Peace out ✌️

@flatoutt1

it's a classic .just watched secretariat and it was in that when they're dancing around the horse . great timeless classic that never gets old or outdated ..this song music and lyrics really speaks to me . about going into new territory and victories

@flatoutt1

top comment .this is one of the GREAT ones . becoming more recognised with time how good it is .and got to say the pictures just add to the weight of the song .so inspiring

@h.s.thompsonduke8105

43w↑7

Memphis magic.
I moved here in 2010 and will always cherish the artists here.

@kimberlyferguson7165

22w↑7

Legendary and extraordinary! Women singing through oppression and starting movements!

@neotahoward1342

3y↑48

This song reminds me of my Mother who I lost years ago, she played the Staple Singers all the time. Miss you Mom, much love ❤

@mariezimri1290

Your Mom had good taste! Sorry for your loss. Nobody like Mama!

@bostonlittlepete

45w↑11

Love this song from way back! Feeling a little depressed today due to a couple of deaths and the family and just life! I just told myself I wanted to listen to the song and it lifted me up! Thank Mavis’ Pops and all!

@senestafoxworth9512

30w↑2

Praying for your strength. I lost 2 sons 9 months apart it's ok grieve CRY SCREAM!

@paulaisbell4985

16w↑1

My uncle Al Bell wrote song for staple singers. Thank u for tha luv

@G11713

8w↑1

The glaring problem with this song is that it's too short. I don't know how you would write this song down and do it justice. Brilliant.

@kellibond4452

4y↑9

The Billboard Hot 100 #1 song on my 13th birthday in '72...needed to be at that position for longer than a week! ♫No more smiling faces / Lyin' to the races♫?!?! Sing it loud and proud in 2020!!!!!

@doelinelewis491

2y↑14

Yes this song is for all that's been touched by God of any kinda of form brings chills of what you're feeling are been feeling are in your feelings very powerful message we're come a long ways of all racist may we not forget that keep striving for greatness God's Plan

@doelinelewis491

2y↑1

@@juliemcalister2557 Thank You so very much it's not everyday someone tells you this lol 😇🙏 sorry for the late response took a couple of days to let it register to me if you can put this comment out for the whole world to read and see I trust your honesty the least I can do is say I love you too because when it all comes down to it love makes the world go around thanks again trust is hard to find but love can be spread all around God's Plan 😇😇😇😇🙏🙏🙏🙏

@doelinelewis491

@@juliemcalister2557 Awwww thanks keep your spirits up God's Plan 😇🙏

@doelinelewis491

2y↑1

@@juliemcalister2557 LOL 🎊🎊 let's bring the New Year in on a positive note all smiles keep me in your prayers God is Good I'm ready for his blessings in 2022😇🙏 get ready for the count down I'm watching it now on utube live from Time Square lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I so ready

@doelinelewis491

@@juliemcalister2557 Happy New Year 🎊🎊

@randyhanevold2576

11w↑1

Love the Mo- Toun move the Song has

@ericengbloom3857

25w↑7

One of " thee " Greatest Funkiest Soul songs of all Time......❤

@grampsrivera9771

2y↑37

,,,no more smiling faces, LYING TO THE RACES". Great lyric.

@pamboozer2904

2y↑1

Still relevant in 2022!

@tamarunitamaruni4724

what does it mean? I keep wondering. We sang this at church a lot and I never understood this part

@grampsrivera9771

2y↑2

Politicians lying with a smile on their face.

@SholaBaby

47w

@@grampsrivera9771 You got it.

@SandraMcCalip

31w↑5

Come on y'all, we
need tons of more songs like
these. Thank you
NF and all the others ! ❤

@yvonne7944

50w↑12

It'll live on forever more. One of the best of the Staples.

@icandobadbymyself8134

16w↑6

This used to be one of my grandma favorite songs now It's of my favorite songs. I'm getting older Gracefully ❤

@roberttaylor90y76

1y↑5

Great soul track from the 70s .

@sabrinalocke2846

13w↑1

Best memory I have with this song is someone covering it at a vineyard concert, and three women behind me sang backup without even being on stage, sounding absolutely glorious. I hope they’re having a good day.

@lennonjohn3796

2y↑73

Pure soul music 🎶

@mattmcshane2079

2y↑2

called motown.

@bosscar302

Yep, and done by the Muscle Shoals Swampers, and bunch of white guys! Awesome

@anneoboyle8447

1y↑7

This Song 🎶🎼 is Gospel 🙏💘 Gimme that Funky Church Beat!🎹🎺🎸🥁🎤🎚️💐🍀🌹

@RichardZipperer

2y↑19

It's not just the lyric's, the drums,vocals and well the "Queen of Soul". I really enjoy attempting to play along.

@tarynciccarelloo57

Keep up good work

@kaygrimes5657

1y↑1

Baby Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul,but Mavis is the Queen of Real.Thank you,Casey Grimes-Finley, Chicago,Illinois

@JesusIsGod.

@@kaygrimes5657 I was just about to say. Aretha is the Queen. Close, but not quite there. Lol

@DarkandlovelyLovely

29w

@@kaygrimes5657There’s lots of Queens of soul who sang it well just like the great Aretha. There’s room for many Queens. Angela winbush and Patti Labelle can sing very good.

@barrydarnell1683

42w↑8

This was recorded in Muscle Shoals Alabama with The Swampers, some of the best studio musicians that ever lived. She is calling them out: Barry (Beckett), play your piano, Daddy (Pops Staples) play your guitar and David, Little David (Hood) on bass!

@charlescurry5549

31w↑1

Thanks

@nataliek5134

18w↑1

That's cool I never knew that! Thanks

@paulaisbell4985

16w↑1

Written by my uncle Al Bell professionally known as. Thank u Alvertis Isbell

@misspea1002

11w↑1

Good to know. Perhaps we can get the lyrics right now when singing along 😂

@jayremitz

2y↑39

Great song! Number one on the Top 40 billboard charts 50 years ago today on Saturday, June 3, 1972. Half-century ago the summer of '72 became a happy-go-lucky time for a 6 year-old like me. What a fun summer 1972 was.

@dat1573

51w↑4

I love this woman's voice lawddd

@frujohn1646

2y↑4

The golden period of staple singers

@randyharris5195

2y↑6

1972. I was 18. A time when we heard incredible music.

@PGTransformed

2y↑48

Very simply one of the funkiest jams ever!!!

@georgetrotter1742

2y↑4

A very lovely song.💃💕👩‍🍳.I love this song (Sing Girls 👧🏼 Sing 🎤

@user-hs1jo9xn4s

18w↑5

This is such a good song. I haven't heard it in a very long time. 😊

@mariezimri1290

1y↑4

Sometimes I hear folks say, only if I could go back. Don’t know if I could survive those wonderful years again!!! One time around was enough! Great bands, great times getting together dancing sometimes until dawn then go get a big breakfast, then home to crash!

@seanjameswallace

5y↑75

Oh my DAYS - what a tune and what a video. Had me in tears. It took me there. So sweet.

@hmsmemaw632

4y↑3

Amen Brother!
Me too. ✌️🤓

@annettelanejones5851

27w↑1

In agreement. 10/2023. 💕

@jamespearson3071

32w↑7

I have listened to this song hundreds of times every year since it came out and it always brings me up!

@KennethDawson-zv8rn

15w↑1

Can you feel it now!

@ThatAmeerGuy

44w↑3

Orange is the new black brought me here ❤

@tomcooley3778

2y↑5

Stax Records. Whole lot of Soul !

@steele41

10w↑1

That was a powerful video to accompany this beautiful song

@Nico_Tena

One of the most soulful songs ever written and performed!

@bcog-cv5el

10w↑2

Lord thank you for being a healer in these young lives in Jesus name

@calltainnfearna4699

Amen !

@blackcosmos

31w↑2

My aunt back home in Jamaica would always put this LP on the turn table in sing along while she was doing chores around the house & she was ALWAYS in great spirits. Man she loved her some SS & also Mavis!

@janjackson9362

1y↑7

I would play this song everyday when it hit the radio in Seattle Washington, one of the best, right too your soul

@lindagranger1471

2y↑30

This song has an excellent beat

@KennethDawson-zv8rn

15w↑1

Just the facts

@flatoutt1

1y↑4

this is a timeless super special song in the very rare category of an anthem ,a prophetic anthem and declaration of galvanizing people to rise up and go to a new place of freedom . here it's being used for the struggle of civil rights .but it's applicable anywhere,where people want to breakout of the limiting prisons' they become conscious of themselves being in.and are asking themselves "can i break out of here and go to a better place " it's an invitation shout "yes" ,and says you can because" I KNOW A PLACE " . . it's an invitation to move into Hope,faith and ACTION. " IT"S INSPIRED" i bet this song was born out of heaps of prayer .

@paulaisbell4985

16w

Yes my uncle was lead by God to sit in the backyard of granddaddy lead to the bus granddaddy bought and the lyrics just came to uncle Al to calm him after uncle was murdered yea WE KNOW A PLACE AND WE BEEN TAKING U THERE.

@jordinsfruitfulministries2910

2y↑40

The instruments and the bass make the song 🔥🔥 I love it

@kennethrandolph2495

35w

Thank the Swampers in Muscle Shoals for this.

@georgetrotter1742

2y↑4

Sing 🎤 sing Girls 👧🏼 sing.Love

@PhoenixRisingEra

4y↑260

Forever one of the best songs of allllll time.

@mreunome

3y↑14

And singers Mavis Staples!

@dennisd2531

3y↑7

Without any shadow of doubt... Outstanding..

@robertrunk2031

If you want to funk, ho big!

@rubendominguez4137

2y↑1

@@mreunome q

@PGTransformed

2y↑5

Absolutely agree with you!!!

14 More Replies...

@Israel-fk9qx

2y↑6

The graveyard aint nobody cryin nobody worried aint no smiling faces love this song

@johnbaumgartner9532

1y↑1

Just watched "Secretariat" and was reminded of this AWESOME song.

@markrobinson7975

1y↑20

Just want to say thankyou to everyone who has left messages of support here. I'm sorry if I haven't replied to everyone, wish I had! I'm truly grateful and inspired by the positivity and care shown here.... And of course you all have excellent musical taste. Love and appreciate you all. If you're in recovery yourself, stay strong and I promise it's worth it!

@SholaBaby

47w↑3

I say AMEN to that, Brother.

Remain blessed.

@FaithBusselle

21w

You can beat whatever is trying to take you down. God bless you

@paulaisbell4985

16w

Thank Yall for kind words. The Isbells still taking u there in 2024

@JacquelineFox-xo6jn

33w↑1

Can you imagine. anyone take My Angels and make them cry.......I saw Florida 😮

@andrewmorales8985

2y↑21

Such a Powerful Song still to this day....

@neerannaidoo3781

2y↑1

Wow wow and wow to the good old years

@waskyhenry3132

2y↑10

Oh my goodness 😍. Takes me back to the beautiful years of the 60's.

@KennethDawson-zv8rn

15w↑1

Praise the eternal ancient of days! More true facts! Are we clear!

@andrewervin9062

2y↑18

I saw Mavis in concert in 2019, absolutely a spiritual experience…

@raissatang1146

3y↑30

Mavis Staples is just the best to ever do it

@eg8419

2y↑1

GREAT VIDEO !! Thank you from Eve G.

@rlstrad2059

14w

I'm lucky enough to remember the arc of the civil rights movement that this was a part of...lots of pain, but lots of fine folks from all parts of America striving to make our nation a better place for everyone...we felt as though the world would come out of it all a finer place...

@lynnyoung4435

2y↑12

You got this and you are not alone! Awesome song...my go to pick me up on a bad day.

@istayfr3sh45

41w↑1

I’ll take you there still Amazing here 2023❤❤❤

@brieze1233

4y↑162

My dad and I listened to this over 45 years ago..I loved this then n now...RIP dad🙏

@rainbocatz6376

2y↑4

May he be at peace.......

@ezerlenewatkins9644

David little David

@ezerlenewatkins9644

David david little. Need you here to help me out

@ezerlenewatkins9644

Play it Barry play yo play yo piano now all right.

@ezerlenewatkins9644

David little david i need you here to help me out come on little david

1 More Replies...

@thrushjz

1y↑2

I know a place, nobody crying there...

@sherrih.2693

3y↑14

Beautiful. A moment of a sweet soul in a rough time.

@user-dh8kq4gc6b

14w↑1

Still loving this in 2024❤

@patriciarogers1841

2y↑2

This is the frist group that I saw and knew I wanted to be and on stage as well I saw them at mc victors theater in Chicago

@jamesspears8226

39w

I just recently lost my grandmother due to cervical cancer she suffered through so much pain. God had called her home and this is one of her favorite songs

@AlfredaPhillips

15w↑1

The staple singers songs will show you ..the way to the Lord..ooooo Lord to the way niii mercy mercy ..queen Ms freda.

@sheilajohnson3001

4y↑28

I wish I still had my 45 of the Staples, I'll take you there, great song

@jsamc

4y↑1

I know a plaaace !

@matthewgalloway838

Just can't stop listening to this songs, just can't stop thinking about the youthful days, you seem to love the music alot right, I can tell from your comment, they will be so glad to know that people are out there who cares and appreciate them so dearly.....by the way nice meeting you on here, I hope you are having a wonderful time out there right ????

@davidgilbertson858

3y↑1

I’m fortunate to have kept every 45 of this fabulous group, Marlene. I also like, among others they recorded when the Staples moved to other labels, a song called “Slippery People”

@dwaynetaylor2463

2y↑4

This song has more meaning now then ever..because we're so close to that place..

@pauldonlam1

2y↑1

The good times and good place 😊thanks

@PsilliPig

12w

I hitchhiked around the country for a year when I was 17. This song was on the radio and seemed to always be on when I would get a ride. Different days, my friends but Mavis was always there.

@KennethDawson-zv8rn

15w↑1

It's a spiritual matter! Are we clear!

@josephphoenix1376

1y↑1

SOUL/ GOSPEL CLASSIC 🎼🎶🎵

@Roger-of5ij

10w↑1

Love the passion!

@leebowens2631

3y↑3

IT"S LITTLE DAVID meaning David Hood Bassist of Muscle Shoals !!!!

@latoshawhite8495

2y↑16

I love the staple singers and there songs and what they stand for from what is going on in this world right now

@hmsmemaw632

4y↑98

What a wonderful job of putting pictures with the music to make a statement !!! Thank you ✌️🤓👍. Tears in my eyes.💖

@michellekeefe8527

111 me ¹
Pp
11¹
111l1llql 0,,

@matthewgalloway838

3y↑2

@russthompson8014

2y↑1

Agreed!

@Smokesteve

2y↑1

Oh baby that bass!!!

@hsvine

3y↑16

A great song, LOVE the Staple Singers!

@susanlanier6805

And Let's Dance a Happy 🙏 Dance💃🏾🕺🏾Yes! The Best 👌🏽

@dianabradley2829

32w↑1

I remember from my 9 that grade in Hinsdale Illinois listening on grass outside school smoking cigarettes( we were allowed to smoke on high school campus there) I love this music, my kids live this music and I hope my gramd kids will live it

@chuyhighman6927

12w↑1

Oldie But Gooody Song
Happy New Year 2024 !!

@deeannadorough7378

40w↑2

Such soul!!!!

@elizabethhill8184

1y↑4

I remember I was a kid jamming to this song

@bobbyhenderson1987

27w↑3

listen to that bass line...mercy

@kodonga1

2y↑8

One of my best soul singers! I would go all out to get any of their singles or albums in those days as soon as one was out! Such a wonderful family, they were!