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.
No More Auction Block for Me
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more, no more
No more auction block for me
Many thousands gone
No more driver's lash for me
No more, no more
No more driver's lash for me
No more whip lash for me
No more, no more
No more pint of salt for me
Many thousands gone
No more auction block for me
No more, no more
No more auction block for me
Many thousands gone
The song "No More Auction Block for Me" by Sweet Honey In the Rock is a powerful statement against slavery and the oppression of African Americans. The song speaks to the experience of a slave who has been sold and separated from their loved ones, and who longs to be free from the auction block and the lash of their cruel master. The words "no more" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the desire of the slave to escape their bondage and find a new life of freedom.
The opening lyrics declare "No more auction block for me," which speaks to the injustice of the slave trade and auctions that tore families apart and treated human beings as mere property. The line "many thousands gone" suggests the vast number of people who suffered under this system, and the pain and trauma that families experienced as a result. The repetition of "no more" in each verse, with a different form of oppression replaced each time, creates a powerful sense of resistance and defiance, suggesting that the singer is determined to escape their bondage and find a way to freedom.
Overall, "No More Auction Block for Me" is a powerful song that reflects the experiences and struggles of African Americans throughout history. It speaks to the need for justice, equality, and freedom for all people, and continues to be a source of inspiration for those who fight for social justice and civil rights today.
Line by Line Meaning
No longer will I be sold at an auction block as if I were an object
The singer is declaring their freedom from being treated as property and no longer wishes to be sold at an auction block
I will not be subjected to such treatment anymore
The singer is emphasizing that they will no longer allow themselves to be treated in such a dehumanizing way
I am no longer a commodity to be bought and sold
The singer reiterates their freedom from being treated as property
Many have also been subjected to this inhumane treatment
The artist acknowledges the suffering of others who have also been subjected to this dehumanizing treatment
I refuse to be punished with a driver's lash again
The artist rejects the use of physical punishment on them, especially by a driver's lash
I will not endure such punishment any longer
The singer refuses to allow themselves to be subject to the physical punishment they have endured before
I will no longer be forced to endure a whip's lash
The singer declares their freedom from being subject to a whip's lash, which was a cruel form of punishment
I will no longer experience the pain of salt poured into a wound
The artist rejects the mistreatment they have suffered, including the torture of having salt rubbed into wounds
I will not be bought or sold at an auction block anymore
The artist emphasizes their determination to be free from the inhumane treatment of being sold at an auction block
Many others have also thrown off these chains of slavery
The artist acknowledges the struggle and triumph of others who have also gained their freedom after being enslaved
Writer(s): B. J. Reagon
Contributed by Ruby N. 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?