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.
In the Morning When I Rise
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the morning when I rise / Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus / Give me Jesus
You can have all this world / But give me Jesus
And when I am alone / Oh, when I am alone
And when I am alone / Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus / Give me Jesus
You can have all this world / But give me Jesus
And when I come to die / Oh, when I come to die
And when I come to die / Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus / Give me Jesus
You can have all this world / But give me Jesus
The song "In the Morning When I Rise" by Sweet Honey In The Rock is a spiritual hymn that expresses the deep longing for spiritual awakening and closeness to God. The first stanza begins with a repetition of the phrase "In the morning when I rise", which sets the tone for the entire song. The rising of the sun signifies a new beginning, and the singer is asking for the presence of Jesus in their life from the very beginning of the day. The next stanza is a plea for Jesus, asserting that everything in this world is of no use without the presence of Jesus, who is the ultimate source of peace and happiness.
The third stanza speaks to the human experience of loneliness, emphasizing the importance of having Jesus as a companion. The phrase "give me Jesus" is repeated, reaffirming that the singer's ultimate desire is for the presence of Jesus. In the final stanza, the song gains a more solemn tone as the singer acknowledges the inevitability of death. But even in that solemn moment, they echo their desire for Jesus; they believe that in life and death, Jesus is the ultimate source of true happiness and ultimate fulfilment.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the importance of faith in one's life, and the ultimate desire for connection with a higher power, Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I rise
When I wake up in the morning
In the morning when I rise
When I wake up in the morning
In the morning when I rise
When I wake up in the morning
Give me Jesus
All I want is Jesus
You can have all this world
You can keep all the material possessions of this world
But give me Jesus
But I only want Jesus
And when I am alone
When I am by myself
Oh, when I am alone
When I am by myself
Give me Jesus
All I want is Jesus
Give me Jesus
All I want is Jesus
You can have all this world
You can keep all the material possessions of this world
But give me Jesus
But I only want Jesus
And when I come to die
When I am about to leave this world
Oh, when I come to die
When I am about to leave this world
Give me Jesus
All I want is Jesus
Give me Jesus
All I want is Jesus
You can have all this world
You can keep all the material possessions of this world
But give me Jesus
But I only want Jesus
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tmc8080
Here's the 'Testify' Solo of Ms Barnwell?: Feel free to offer corrections-- there is at least one unclear line. Couldn't find these lyrics anywhere-- the original yes. This? Nope.
One of these moments, That’s where I come
Speak to the world somehow (about) weaving wrong
One of these moments of finding fair. I’ll get you on my wings
Child and fly in the air. Meet me Jesus Meet me in the middle of the air
If my wings should fail me, meet me with another pair. To (god) I walking walking
Fly and Fly? I know your carry us and then we arrive. One of these moments
It won’t be long. You’ll look for me child and I’ll be gone. I’m going up to heaven
Just sing and shout. There won’t be nobody there to send me out. I’ll talk with the father
Chat with the son. Tell them about this whole world I’ve just come from. I’ll look up the changes
In the heat of the day. Jesus Mahalia and in our faith. Shake hands with Moses, Luke, Lou-Ester, and John. Tell them about this dangerous journey I’ve done. I’m gonna go a little further and meet my father, with Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth. Walk down by the river and meet Harriet Tubman
The battles that been fought and won and think we done won. OOh! The saints gather there around her form. They’ll shout Hallelujah and welcome me home.
@Swgabjr
One of these morning
It won't be long
You'll look for me child
And I'll be gone
I'm goin up to heaven
To sing and shout
There'll be nobody there
To turn me out
I'm goin' up to heaven
To sing and tell
Angels in heaven
Goin toll the bell
Shake hands with Moses, Ruth,
Esther, and John
Tell them but this tedious journey
I done run
Gonna go a little further
And meet my father
With Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth
Walk down by the river
Meet Harriet Tuban
Her battles done been fought
And her victories won
All the saints gathered around God's throne
Gon' Shout Halleluyah
And welcome me home
I wanna rise Holy
I wanna rise Sanctified!!
(repeat this phrase as the spirit moves...)
When I-------RISE(extend this closing line, reference Sweet Honey in the Rock recording --In the Morning When I Rise, lead Bernice Johnson Reagon
@freerobme2023
for a year I had the image of my sister in her bed in the nursing home after she passed away. it haunted me until I heard this song. I literally envisioned her rising up in the spirit in her new body cancer free rejoicing and my soul smile for the first time in a long time...love you Lydia
@nia-kaicampbell2165
mrsrobme my condolences
@ljett1849
and your sister wanted you to know that. Amen.
@clymelabox2559
These women have inspired me, comforted me, taught me all the while pulling me to glorious consciousness. Thank you Lord!
@dlkincaid
Whenever I want to bring my ancestors close and remember my foundation - I listen to Sweet Honey In the Rock
@fatbee8713
Dorothy Mitchell-Kincaid yes!!!
@camarajordan1143
Well said and even better felt. Thank you for that!
@sandrahinton6898
W
@kvsmm1945
I want this sung at my funeral. "Gonna rise Holy!, Gonna see Jesus!"
@Cravessoulfood
i remember my first concert with my grand daddy when he was alive. He took the whole family out to see Sweet Honey in the Rock. I was magnificant. He bought me the cd and i wore it out. didnt know where to get another. i was only 14 or so.