Sweet Honey in the Rock was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon who formed the group out of the strongest singers from a vocal workshop she was teaching with the D.C. Black Repertory Company. The name of the group comes from a religious parable that tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them.
The music of Sweet Honey in the Rock challenges its listeners with songs on topics including motherhood, spirituality, freedom, civil liberties, domestic violence, and racism.
Over the years, more than twenty individuals have lent their voices to Sweet Honey in the Rock. Beginning as a quartet, Sweet Honey in the Rock is now comprised of six African American women (including a professional American Sign Language interpreter who accompanies the group on concert tours). The ensemble tackles difficult five-part harmonies and composes much of their own music.
Sweet Honey in the Rock has received several Grammy Award nominations, including one for their children's album Still the Same Me which received the Silver Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications. They won a Grammy in 1989 in the category of Best Traditional Folk Recording for their version of Leadbelly's "Grey Goose" from the compilation album Folkways: A Vision Shared.
A Woman
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
That's all right because I love the way you lie
I Love the way you lie
That ain't the whole story
I've been stuck with jobs no one else, would take before me
Debt was going up
1-800 numbers started to blow me up
I knew I had to make it
Without music in my life I'm naked and homeless
So if I'm down and hurt
Are you Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry (I'm not afraid to take a stand)
That's all right because I love the way you lie (Everybody come take my hand)
I Love the way you lie
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you love the way you lie
Lately I've been dealin with haters
And people sayin I'll never make it
But I just use it as fuel to my heart
To keep improving
Race will never be the reason I'm not succeeding
nor will I ever sell myself short or settle less than I'm deservin
Cuz I've put in my heart, and I've put in my soul
And I've always believed, that I would make it this far
and if I'm down and hurt
Are you Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry (I'm not afraid to take a stand)
That's all right because I love the way you lie (Everybody come take my hand)
I Love the way you lie
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road...
Yeah I love the way you lie
Uhh
I'm not afraid not afraid not afraid not afraid
Just let me burn
The lyrics of "A Woman" by Sweet Honey in the Rock touch upon themes of pain, love, and perseverance. The song speaks of someone who is willing to endure heartache and fire (both literal and metaphoric) for the sake of their passion. The lyrics suggest that the singer is going through a difficult time - whether it be in their personal or professional life - but they are willing to suffer through it because of their love for music. The song also addresses the idea of staying true to oneself despite criticism and adversity.
In the first verse of the song, the singer seems to be speaking to someone else, asking if they will just stand there and watch them burn. This could be interpreted as a plea for someone to help the singer during a difficult time, or it could be seen as a challenge to those who doubt them. The singer goes on to say that they are willing to go through the fire because they like the pain, suggesting that the struggles they are facing are worth it for the reward of their music.
The second verse addresses the singer dealing with "haters" who are doubting their success. The singer uses this negativity as motivation to improve and succeed, claiming that race will not be a barrier to their success. The chorus repeats the idea of enduring through the storm and being there for each other, suggesting that the singer has a support system to rely on.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Woman" by Sweet Honey in the Rock highlight the struggles and resilience of someone who is committed to their passion. Despite facing adversities, the singer is willing to endure and work hard to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
You're just standing there watching me suffer.
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
It's okay for me that you're enjoying watching me in pain.
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
You're just listening to me cry without doing anything.
That's all right because I love the way you lie
It's okay for me that you're lying to me while I cry.
I Love the way you lie
I keep on loving you despite your lies and my pain.
That ain't the whole story
That's not all there is to the story.
I've been stuck with jobs no one else, would take before me
I've had to take the jobs that no one else wanted to take.
Cuz I had to
I had no other choice.
Debt was going up
My debt was increasing.
1-800 numbers started to blow me up
I started receiving calls from the people I owed money to.
I knew I had to make it
I was aware that I had to succeed.
Without music in my life I'm naked and homeless
Music is essential to me, without it I feel lost and empty.
So if I'm down and hurt
If I'm feeling depressed and in pain.
Are you Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Will you just watch me suffer without helping me?
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
It's fine with me if you watch me suffer as I find it satisfying.
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry (I'm not afraid to take a stand)
You're merely listening to me cry, but I won't be afraid to take action.
That's all right because I love the way you lie (Everybody come take my hand)
It doesn't matter that you're lying to me because I like being with you.
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
We'll face difficulties together, no matter what happens.
Whatever weather, cold or warm
I'll be with you through thick and thin, in any circumstance.
Just let you know that, you're not alone
I assure you that you're not alone in your struggles.
Holla if you feel like you love the way you lie
Call out to me if you also enjoy being lied to.
Lately I've been dealin with haters
I've been dealing with people who hate me recently.
And people sayin I'll never make it
People are telling me that I'll never succeed.
But I just use it as fuel to my heart
I'm using it as motivation to work harder and prove them wrong.
To keep improving
To continue getting better.
Race will never be the reason I'm not succeeding
My race won't be the cause of my failure.
nor will I ever sell myself short or settle less than I'm deservin
I won't compromise on my ambition or lower my expectations of myself.
Cuz I've put in my heart, and I've put in my soul
I've worked hard and given it my all.
And I've always believed, that I would make it this far
I've always had faith that I would achieve what I have now.
and if I'm down and hurt
And if I feel depressed and in pain.
Are you Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Will you just watch me suffer instead of helping me through it?
That's all right
Because I like the way it hurts
It's okay if you watch me suffer because I find it satisfying in some way.
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry (I'm not afraid to take a stand)
You're merely listening to my cry, but I won't be afraid to stand up for myself.
That's all right because I love the way you lie (Everybody come take my hand)
It's okay that you're lying to me because I enjoy being with you, and everyone is welcome to join us.
I Love the way you lie
I'm still in love with you despite your lies.
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
We'll face the difficulties together, no matter how challenging they are.
Whatever weather, cold or warm
I'll be with you through thick and thin, in any climate.
Just let you know that, you're not alone
I want you to know that you're not alone in your struggles and that I'm here for you.
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road...
Reach out to me if you've gone through similar experiences.
Yeah I love the way you lie
I still love you even though you keep lying to me.
Uhh
Exclamation indicating a pause or hesitation.
I'm not afraid not afraid not afraid not afraid
I'm not scared, and I won't give up.
Just let me burn
Just leave me to suffer and burn on my own.
Contributed by Declan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Barbara Barnett
on Young and Positive
what are the lyrics to im young and im positive
Amado Mc. G
on The little Shekere
The Little Shekere Lyrics: I Use to be a squash in Aminatta’s field Until the day she decided to collect her yield I was so afraid that she would come and choose me but since I couldn’t run away, I had to wait and see She went back and forth and up and down every row then without choosing me she decided to go I was so relieved I began to shout! Which made her turn around and see me so she picked me out! When she wrapped me in her sack and place me on her head and started walking toward her village, I was filled with dread Many of my friends and family had left the land but never knowing where they went I did not understand That a whole new life was just ahead of me as a calabash, moraccas, agbe, axatse. I never knew a squash could be so many things full of colors and designs and beaded down with strings When we reached the house they took me out of the sack I wanted to go home! (somebody take me back!) But as I look around I just could not believe my eyes I saw my friends and family, what a nice surprise! They were happy to see me and they were looking good and when they started to talk, that’s when I understood Even though each one was different in color and shape when they all played together the music was great. My life was just beginning in the musical world I’d be a shekere for these young boys and girls A Shekere! (A Shekere!) A Shekere! (A Shekere!) So listen everybody to my family and friends we’re gonna sing this song for you from begin to end A Shekere! (A Shekere!) A Shekere! (A Shekere!) *Shekeres Playing* Shekere!
Ahfor Taitu
on I Be Your Water
I BE YOUR WATER-LYRICS
i————
i be your shelter
i be your rain
i be your everything
i be your friend
i be your water
when your thirsty and dry…
i woke up mourning in a crowded sick place
surrounded by evil, protected by grace
there were these hands, hundreds reaching for me
they knew exactly who and what i should be
each way i turned, had me stronger than the last
which would i choose & how could i pass
then i heard whispers (be still -be still -be still)
from deep inside me (be still -be still -be still)
then i heard whispers (be still -be still -be still)
from deep inside me (be still -be still -be still)
as i gave power to the sound of my own voice
a way broke before me, i followed my choice
i walked along the way others lives had been
til’ i came to what seemed like an end
again these hands, reaching beckoning for me
they knew exactly who and what i should be
again the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
again the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
way before me was mine to make
there was no road, no path to take
as i had my life, through this muddy walk way
others toiled beside me for a justice new day
still i have felt lonely most of the time
walking this sweet freedom struggle of mine
still i have felt lonely most of the time
walking this sweet freedom struggle of mine
saved by the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
saved by the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
yesterday i stumbled around the bend
i saw you standing, you reached me your hand
i seen you before, oh many of times
why your life had plowed the road, right next to mine
now you make the sun rise in my sky
you rock my cradle hunny, you make me fly
you keep me company
now you make the sun rise in my sky
you rock my cradle hunny, you make me fly
you keep me company
i————
I be your shelter
i be your rain
i be your everything
i be your friend
i be your water
when your thirsty and dry…
Brenda Nelson
on Long Journey Home
Does anyone have lyrics for this song...long journey home ....by sweet honey in the rock?