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.
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But Thou art strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I′ll be satisfied as long
As I walk
Let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Oh ′cause when my feeble life is o'er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom
To Thy kingdom shore.
Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, it′s my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Ohhh daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord
Let it be
The lyrics of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" by Sweet Honey In The Rock are a declaration of the singer's faith in Jesus Christ, and their plea for His guidance and protection in their life's journey. The singer acknowledges their weakness and their need for Jesus to keep them from wrongdoing. They express their satisfaction with life as long as they stay close to Jesus and follow His teachings. The singer acknowledges the inevitability of death and seeks Jesus' guidance to lead them safely to His kingdom.
The chorus of the song is a petition to Jesus to grant the singer's plea for a closer walk with Him every day. The song emphasizes the importance of daily spiritual growth, and the need for a closer relationship with God to overcome the challenges of life. The singer's plea is one of surrender to Jesus' will, and an acknowledgement of His power to sustain, guide, and protect.
In summary, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" is a beautiful hymn that expresses the singer's heartfelt desire for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. The song's message is one of faith, surrender, and hope, and it encourages listeners to seek a deeper understanding of their faith and to draw closer to Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
I am weak
I lack strength and am vulnerable
But Thou art strong
You possess the power and capability that I lack
Jesus keep me from all wrong
Please protect me from any harmful or immoral actions
I'll be satisfied as long
As long as I have your guidance and support
As I walk
During my life journey
Let me walk close to Thee.
Please keep me in close proximity to you to avoid straying from your path
Just a closer walk with Thee
I desire a stronger connection and relationship with you
Grant it Jesus it's my plea,
I humbly request for you to fulfill my desire
Daily walking close to Thee
I strive to maintain a constant closeness to you each day
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be
Please allow this to happen, my beloved Lord
Oh 'cause when my feeble life is o'er
Because when my frail existence comes to an end
Time for me will be no more
My time on this Earth will have ended
Guide me gently, safely o'er
Please gently guide me to safety
To Thy kingdom
Lead me to your kingdom of heaven
To Thy kingdom shore.
The final destination of my spiritual journey
Ohhh daily walking close to Thee
Again, I emphasize the importance of being near to you every day
Let it be, dear Lord
I entrust my life and desires to you
Let it be
Please allow my wishes to come to fruition
Writer(s): Kenneth Morris
Contributed by Bailey B. 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?