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 Remember I Believe
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don?t know how my father stood his ground
I don?t know how my people survive slavery
I do remember, that?s why I believe
I don?t know how the rivers overflow their banks
I don?t know how the snow falls and covers the ground
I don?t know how the hurricane sweeps through the land
Standing in a rainstorm, I believe
I don?t know how the angels woke me up this morning soon
I don?t know how the blood still runs through my veins
I don?t know how I rate to run another day
Standing in a rainstorm I believe
My God calls to me in the morning dew
The power of the universe knows my name
Gave me a song to sing and sent me on my way
I raise my voice for justice I believe
In this song, "I Remember I Believe," Sweet Honey In The Rock sings about their belief in the strength and resilience of their ancestors, as well as their connection to a higher power. The lyrics express a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world, while also acknowledging the struggles and injustices faced by the Black community throughout history.
The opening lines of the song reflect on the hardship endured by the singer's parents and ancestors, yet the singer still believes in their ability to persevere. This sentiment is echoed in the second verse, as the singer marvels at the power of nature, but still finds faith in the midst of every challenge. The final verse suggests that the singer's belief is grounded in a spiritual calling, as they raise their voice for justice.
Overall, the song expresses a deep reverence for the beauty and resilience of the natural world and the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I don?t know how my mother walked her trouble down
I'm uncertain how my mother managed to resolve her troubles
I don?t know how my father stood his ground
I am unsure how my father kept his composure
I don?t know how my people survive slavery
I'm unaware of how our ancestors endured slavery
I do remember, that?s why I believe
However, I do recall, and that's why I hold onto faith
I don?t know how the rivers overflow their banks
It's a mystery to me how rivers flood their banks
I don?t know how the snow falls and covers the ground
I'm uncertain how snow falls and creates a blanket on the ground
I don?t know how the hurricane sweeps through the land
I don't understand how hurricanes move across the land
Every now and then
Occasionally
Standing in a rainstorm, I believe
While being drenched by rain, I still have faith
I don?t know how the angels woke me up this morning soon
I don't know how I was able to wake up early by divine intervention
I don?t know how the blood still runs through my veins
I can't comprehend how my heart beats and my blood flows
I don?t know how I rate to run another day
I'm unsure if I'm capable of facing another day
Standing in a rainstorm I believe
Even in the midst of a tumultuous situation, my faith endures
My God calls to me in the morning dew
I hear the voice of my divine creator in the morning dew
The power of the universe knows my name
The universe recognizes and acknowledges my existence
Gave me a song to sing and sent me on my way
Bestowed upon me a purpose and direction to follow
I raise my voice for justice I believe
I speak up and advocate for what is just, and my faith in doing so remains firm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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?