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.
Movin' On
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Nothing can stop me now
Nothing can hold me down
No one can keep me back cause we're
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
We've been 'buked (clap-clap clap)
We've been scorned (clap-clap clap)
We've been talked about sure as you're born
Let's work together
Don't care how long it takes
We've come this way before cause we're
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
The road may be rough (clap clap)
The way may be long (clap clap)
But we've got to keep on keeping on
We're marching over
Don't care how long it takes
We've come this way before and we're
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on
Moving, moving on (spoken)
The Sweet Honey In The Rock's song Movin' On conveys the message of perseverance and resilience in facing challenges and obstacles in life. The repeated verses of "Moving, moving on" emphasize the importance of moving forward despite adversities. The lyrics suggest that no matter how difficult the journey may be, nothing can hold us back. The song uses these statements as a call to action and an encouragement to keep pushing forward.
The lines "We've been 'buked, We've been scorned, We've been talked about sure as you're born" refer to the discrimination and oppression that the African American community has faced in the past. The song acknowledges the hardships that they have faced but also emphasizes the importance of unity and teamwork in overcoming challenges. The lyrics "Let's work together, Don't care how long it takes" suggest the value of perseverance and collaboration in achieving goals.
Throughout the song, the repetition of the chorus indicates the continuous journey towards progress and change. The lines "The road may be rough, The way may be long, But we've got to keep on keeping on" underline the importance of persistence in overcoming life's obstacles. The song encourages everyone to adopt a positive mindset, to keep moving forward, and to continue working together towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Moving, moving on
We are progressing, continuing forward.
Nothing can stop me now
No obstacle is insurmountable to me.
Nothing can hold me down
There is nothing that can keep me from progressing.
No one can keep me back cause we're
No person has the power to stop us from moving forward.
We've been 'buked (clap-clap clap)
We have been shamed, ridiculed (as indicated by the clapping).
We've been scorned (clap-clap clap)
We have been shamed, mocked (as indicated by the clapping).
We've been talked about sure as you're born
We have been gossiped about and our reputation has suffered.
Let's work together
We must collaborate to achieve our objectives.
Don't care how long it takes
We are determined to succeed no matter how much time it takes.
We've come this way before cause we're
We have previously overcome challenges and obstacles and will do so again.
The road may be rough (clap clap)
The going may be tough, difficult (as indicated by the clapping).
The way may be long (clap clap)
Our journey may be lengthy and require effort (as indicated by the clapping).
But we've got to keep on keeping on
Despite obstacles and setbacks, we must persist in moving forward.
We're marching over
We are walking with purpose, moving forward with determination.
Moving, moving on
We are not halted by challenges, we are continuing our progress.
Moving, moving on
We will not be deterred, we will keep moving forward.
Moving, moving on
We are committed to making progress and will continue to do so.
Moving, moving on (spoken)
We affirm our commitment to continuing forward progress.
Contributed by Adrian I. 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?