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.
Run
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Especially when they say (They love me)
Apologies don't make (Anything better)
So I'll take my love and my life (and leave today)
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
I am gonna run far away from here
No more cussin, no more fighting, and living in fear
I am gonna run far away from you
I have come to my senses and I don't need you
I am gonna run gonna leave you today
'Cause I know there's got to be a better way
I'm gonna run, take my children's hand
We are leaving this nightmare as fast as we can
I don't even know, in which direction I should go
But I'm sure its the right thing to do, its time to make a move.
The first time I was shoved, I shoulda been out the door
But I accepted the spologie, open myself up for more
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to live this way, I'm leaving you today
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to suffer anymore, I'm walking right out of that door
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Some of my so called friends, advised me to stick around
Their not the one's getting burned, slapped or beaten down to the ground.
They say financial security is hard to come by for a woman like me,
And for the children, I need a good home, so I should sacrifice until their grown.
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to suffer anymore, I'm walking right out of that door
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to live this way, I'm leaving you today
I am gonna run far away from here
No more cussin, no more fighting, and living in fear
I am gonna run far away from you
I have come to my senses and I don't need you
I am gonna run gonna leave you today
'Cause I know there's got to be a better way
I'm gonna run, take my children's hand
We are leaving this nightmare as fast as we can
Now, I don't blame myself for the present situation
For this, kind of behavior, there is no justification
I'm looking ahead to the future, I won't forget the past
I won't repeat this part of my life, its over atlast!
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to live this way, I'm leaving you today
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I don't have to suffer anymore, I'm walking right out of that door
I am gonna run far away from here
No more cussin, no more fighting, and living in fear
I am gonna run far away from you
I have come to my senses and I don't need you
I am gonna run gonna leave you today
'Cause I know there's got to be a better way
I'm gonna run, take my children's hand
We are leaving this nightmare as fast as we can
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
The lyrics to "Run" by Sweet Honey in the Rock speak strongly to the issue of domestic violence, with the singer declaring that she will no longer accept abuse or apologies from her partner. She rejects the notion that she has to sacrifice herself and her children for security, and is determined to leave and start a new life. She emphasizes her resolve through the repetition of the phrase "I am gonna run," and urges others in similar situations to seek refuge and support from friends and shelters.
The song's powerful message is reinforced by the driving rhythm and harmony of the music, which draws on African American folk, gospel, and blues traditions. The use of call-and-response vocals, a capella sections, and rhythmic clapping and stomping create a sense of communal strength and resilience. The repeated refrain to "run to a shelter, run to a friend" highlights the importance of seeking help and support from others.
"Run" has become a rallying cry for survivors of domestic violence and those advocating for their rights. It has been covered by many other artists, and has been used in public service announcements, documentaries, and other media to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. The song's enduring popularity and relevance reflect the ongoing need to address this pressing social problem.
Line by Line Meaning
No one has the right (To hurt me)
No one should have the authority or ability to cause harm to me.
Especially when they say (They love me)
It is especially unacceptable for someone who claims to love me to harm me.
Apologies don't make (Anything better)
Saying sorry does not fix the harm already done.
So I'll take my love and my life (and leave today)
I will take with me my own love and my life, and I am leaving this situation today.
Run to a shelter, run to a friend
I need to find a safe place to run to in order to escape this dangerous situation, whether it be a shelter or a trusted friend's home.
Better run for my life before it comes to an end
I need to act quickly and leave before the harm being done to me reaches a deadly conclusion.
I am gonna run far away from here
I am making the decision to physically remove myself from this harmful situation and create distance.
No more cussin, no more fighting, and living in fear
I am tired of living in constant fear and enduring verbal and physical abuse, and I am making a change to remove this from my life.
I am gonna run far away from you
I am choosing to leave this abusive relationship and remove myself from the presence of the abuser.
I have come to my senses and I don't need you
I have realized that I am better off without this person and that I do not need them in my life.
I am gonna run gonna leave you today
I have made the decision to leave this relationship and start anew.
'Cause I know there's got to be a better way
I have hope that there is a better, safer, and healthier way for me to live my life.
I'm gonna run, take my children's hand
I am taking my children with me as I escape this dangerous situation and start a new life.
We are leaving this nightmare as fast as we can
Together, my children and I are running away from this nightmare as quickly as possible.
I don't even know, in which direction I should go
I am uncertain of what my next steps should be or where I should go, but I know I need to leave this abusive situation.
But I'm sure its the right thing to do, its time to make a move.
Despite my uncertainties, I know that leaving this abusive situation is the right thing to do and I need to take action.
The first time I was shoved, I shoulda been out the door
Reflecting on past incidents of abuse, I realize I should have left the relationship at the first sign of physical harm.
But I accepted the spologie, open myself up for more
By accepting the apologies and excuses, I left myself open to further abuse and harm in the future.
Abuses, excuses, abuses, excuse me!
I am tired of hearing excuses for the abuse; there is no excuse for someone to harm another person.
I don't have to live this way, I'm leaving you today
I am choosing to leave this abusive situation and live my life free from the abuse and harm I have endured.
Some of my so called friends, advised me to stick around
Although some of my friends have encouraged me to stay in the relationship, I know that their advice is not in my best interest.
Their not the one's getting burned, slapped or beaten down to the ground.
My friends are not the ones experiencing the violence and abuse in this relationship, so their advice is not as relevant or impactful.
They say financial security is hard to come by for a woman like me,
My friends have expressed concerns about my financial stability as a single woman leaving an abusive situation.
And for the children, I need a good home, so I should sacrifice until their grown.
My friends have suggested that I sacrifice my safety and wellbeing for the sake of providing a stable home for my children until they are grown.
Now, I don't blame myself for the present situation
I have come to the realization that the abuse and harm being done to me is not my fault, and I should not bear the blame or responsibility for it.
For this, kind of behavior, there is no justification
There is no excuse or justification for someone to cause harm to another person, regardless of the circumstances or situation.
I'm looking ahead to the future, I won't forget the past
Although I am moving forward and leaving this abusive situation behind, I will not forget the harm that has been done to me and will use this experience to inform my future choices and actions.
I won't repeat this part of my life, its over atlast!
I am determined to learn from this experience and move forward with my life free from the abuse and harm of this relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nitanju Bolade Casel
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?