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.
Ella's Song
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
That which touches me most
Is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to me
We who believe in freedom cannot rest (We who
Believe in freedom cannot rest) (Sing it with us, c'mon)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
To me young people come first (They come first)
They have the courage where we fail
And if I can but shed some light as they carry us
Through the gale (They gonna carry us through the gale)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
The older I get the better I know
That the secret of my going on (Going on)
Is when the reins are in the hands of
The young, who dare to run against the storm
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
Not needing to clutch for power
Not needing the light just to shine on me (Shine on me)
I need to be one in the number as we
Stand against tyranny (Stand against tyranny)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest (We who believe in freedom
Cannot rest) (Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no ... No, no, no, no)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
Struggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize
That teaching others to stand and
Fight is the only way my struggle survives
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
I'm a woman who speaks in a voice (in a
Voice) and I must be heard (I must be heard)
At times I can be quite difficult,
I'll bow to no man's word (Ain't gonna now to no man's word)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest)
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
(We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes)
Scat melody of chorus 2x, fading out
The lyrics to Sweet Honey In The Rock's song "Ella's Song" are a powerful call for social justice and equality. The song is a tribute to the late civil rights activist, Ella Baker, who spent her life working for the empowerment of oppressed peoples. The first line and chorus, "We who believe in freedom cannot rest," serve as a rallying cry for those who are committed to the struggle for social justice. The repetition of this line underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for continued vigilance and action. The second verse highlights the continued violence against black men and the need for it to be addressed with the same urgency as the killing of white men.
The third verse speaks to the importance of passing on knowledge and fighting for freedom, and the role young people play in carrying that torch forward. The fourth verse reiterates the importance of the struggle and the need for continued resistance against tyranny. The fifth verse recognizes that the struggle is ongoing and that the work of today's activists is crucial to ensuring that future generations can continue to fight for justice.
Line by Line Meaning
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
Those of us who truly believe in freedom and equality must continue to fight until it is fully realized.
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Our belief in freedom and equality means we cannot rest until it is fully achieved.
Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
The value of black lives must be equal to that of white lives, and violence against black people must end.
That which touches me most is that I had a chance to work with people, passing on to others that which was passed on to me
Being able to share knowledge and experiences with others, and inspiring them to continue the fight for freedom, brings great meaning to my life.
To me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail, and if I can but shed some light as they carry us through the gale, they gonna carry us through the gale
Young people are the future and must lead the fight for freedom, and our job as older generations is to guide and support them.
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on is when the reins are in the hands of the young, who dare to run against the storm
The younger generations hold the power and potential for change, and our role as older individuals is to empower and uplift them.
Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me, I need to be one in the number as we stand against tyranny
My fight for freedom is not about personal gain, but rather standing in solidarity with others against oppression.
Struggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize that teaching others to stand and fight is the only way my struggle survives
My personal struggles and fight for freedom are only meaningful if I am able to inspire and educate others to do the same.
I'm a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard, at times I can be quite difficult, I'll bow to no man's word
As a woman and as an advocate for freedom, I refuse to be silenced or controlled by men or oppressive systems.
Writer(s): Bernice Johnson Reagon
Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@louisamccullough2597
MUSIC: COMPOSER
Ella’s Song
Composed by Bernice Johnson Reagon, copyright: Songtalk Publishing Co.
Refrain:
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Verses
Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons
Is as important as the killing of White men, White mothers’ sons
And that which touches we most is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to me
To me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail
And if I can shed some light as they carry us through the gale
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on
Is when the reins are in the hand of the young who dare to run against the storm
Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me
I need to be just one in the number as we stand against tyranny
Struggling myself don’t mean a whole lot I come to realize
That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way my struggle survive
I’m a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard
At time I can be quite difficult, I’ll bow to no man’s word
@carlinraton1
'Sweet honey in the rock,
Ella's Song'
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons
Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
That which touches me most
Is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to me
To me young people come first
They have the courage where we fail
And if I can but shed some light as they carry us through the gale
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on
Is when the reins are in the hands of the young, who dare to run against the storm
Not needing to clutch for power
Not needing the light just to shine on me
I need to be one in the number as we stand against tyranny
Struggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize
That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way my struggle survives
I'm a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard
At times I can be quite difficult, I'll bow to no man's word
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Ella Josephine Baker (1903–1986)
@genevievekirchman4615
This song gives me chills with where we are - and aren't - in 2020. THIS should be our national anthem! Let it sink in to your heart and soul!
@avrilduck8326
I couldn't agree more!
@joannaclark9197
absolute chills!!
@francinecoleman383
I agree with you in 2022
@mimgott9
I'm ALWAYS MOVED by these talented ladies. We have a long way to go - I'm up for the trek and doing what I can to encourage everyone towards an anti-racist position and inclusive beliefs and behaviors.
@lovesings2us
I agree in 2023. Now we've lost beautiful presence of Tyre NIchols on this earth. But we carry him and so many precious others in our hearts and we cannot rest until freedom comes.
@cparks2454
Powerful tribute to unsung Civil Rights Leader Ella Baker, who largely went unrecognized and unsupported by the predominately male led movement. Love that she led and served youth and students ANYWAY for many decades! Thanks Sweet Honey. Done as only they can do!!! LOVE THEM. Have seen them many times LIVE and it is always an awesome experience. We WILL NOT REST!!
@jjlie6745
@cparker2454
Thank you for acknowledging- recognizing Ms Ella' Baker and her restlessness work, although she WASN'T rightful ACKNOWLEDGED in the history books. 🎉❤!
@suekelman5373
Sweet Honey has transported me to calmer places in my heart for decades. I am grateful. And when you see them in person (God willing some day), they resonate through your whole body. Such a gift to us all.
@rileysmiley9585
I am grateful as well! 💙