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.
I've Got to Know
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know.
Why do your war boats ride on my waters?
Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?
Why do you burn my farm and my town down?
What makes your boats haul death to my people?
Nitro blockbusters, big cannons and guns?
Why doesn't your ship bring food and some clothing?
I've sure got to know, folks, I've sure got to know!
Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?
I can still plow, plant, I can still sow!
Why did your lawbook chase me off my good land?
I'd sure like to know, friend, I've just got to know!
What good work did you do, sir, I'd like to ask you,
To give you my money right out of my hands?
I built your big house here to hide from my people,
Why you crave to hide so, I'd love to know!
You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison,
Your hospital's jammed and your crazyhouse full,
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
You'll hafta talk plain 'cause I sure have to know!
Why can't I get work and cash my big paycheck?
Why can't I buy things in your place and your store?
Why do you close my plant down and starve all my buddies?
I'm asking you, sir, 'cause I've sure got to know!
The lyrics to Sweet Honey In the Rock's song "I've Got to Know" express the frustration and anguish of a person who has been personally affected by war and inequality. The repetition of "I've got to know" serves as a plea to the oppressor to answer questions that need to be addressed in order for justice to prevail.
The first stanza sets the tone for the song with the line "Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!" which conveys the desperation of the people affected by war and inequality. The following stanzas pose provocative and thought-provoking questions to the oppressor. The lines "Why do your war boats ride on my waters?" and "Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?" question the motives behind the violence inflicted on innocents. The lines "Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?" and "Why did your lawbook chase me off my good land?" highlight the issue of inequality and lack of opportunities faced by marginalized communities.
The lyricist calls out the oppressor's hypocrisy by asking "What good work did you do, sir, I'd like to ask you, To give you my money right out of my hands?" and "I built your big house here to hide from my people, Why you crave to hide so, I'd love to know!" The final stanza brings up the issue of police brutality and injustice by asking "What made your cop kill my trade union worker?" These questions collectively serve as a demand for accountability and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend;
I need to find out, urgently and without any doubt, my friend;
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!
People around me are in need, and they ask me for help all the time!
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I see my fellow humans suffering and dying around me,
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know.
I have to understand why this is happening and what I can do to change it.
Why do your war boats ride on my waters?
Why do you bring your military to my homeland and use my natural resources for your own gain?
Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?
Why do you drop bombs on my people, killing innocent women, children, and men?
Why do you burn my farm and my town down?
Why do you destroy everything I hold dear, including my home, my land, and everything I've worked for?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know!
I need to understand the reasons behind all this destruction, my friend!
What makes your boats haul death to my people?
Why do your ships carry weapons that kill my friends and family members?
Nitro blockbusters, big cannons and guns?
Why do you use powerful explosives, cannons, and guns to attack us?
Why doesn't your ship bring food and some clothing?
Why don't you bring us the basic necessities like food and clothing instead of weapons?
I've sure got to know, folks, I've sure got to know!
I really need to find out the answers to these questions and understand what's behind all this suffering!
Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?
Why can't I find a decent job that pays me enough to support myself and my family?
I can still plow, plant, I can still sow!
I'm willing and able to work hard, but there are no opportunities for me to do so!
Why did your lawbook chase me off my good land?
Why did you create laws that take away my land and prevent me from earning a living?
I'd sure like to know, friend, I've just got to know!
I really need to understand why my opportunities are being taken away from me and why I'm forced to struggle every day!
What good work did you do, sir, I'd like to ask you,
I'm curious about what you've done to deserve all the wealth and privilege that you have!
To give you my money right out of my hands?
Why should I give you my hard-earned money when you've done nothing to earn it?
I built your big house here to hide from my people,
Why did you build a mansion in my community, surrounded by walls, to separate yourself from the people who live here?
Why you crave to hide so, I'd love to know!
I'm curious about why you feel the need to separate yourself from me and the other people who live here.
You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison,
Why do you put me in jail and prison for minor crimes, when I'm just trying to survive?
Your hospital's jammed and your crazyhouse full,
Why are your hospitals and mental health facilities overcrowded and lacking adequate resources to help people?
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
Why did your police officer kill one of my fellow workers who was fighting for better conditions and a living wage?
You'll hafta talk plain 'cause I sure have to know!
Please explain to me in simple terms what is going on and why these injustices are taking place!
Why can't I get work and cash my big paycheck?
Why can't I find a job that pays me fairly and allows me to support my family?
Why can't I buy things in your place and your store?
Why are your prices so high that I can barely afford to buy food, clothing, and other essentials?
Why do you close my plant down and starve all my buddies?
Why did you shut down the factory where I worked, leaving me and my coworkers without jobs or income?
I'm asking you, sir, 'cause I've sure got to know!
Please answer my questions and help me understand why my life is so difficult and full of challenges!
Writer(s): Woody Guthrie
Contributed by Allison 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?