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.
Sing Oh Barren One
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wordless and useless, I felt
Bounded and closed I wandered
Empty and useless I was
Then I lift my voice
Sing O barren one sing out and cry aloud
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
Then I heard - thou that did′st not bear
Thou that did'st not travel with child
Break forth in the singing and ride out
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of a married wife
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of a married wife
Then I heard - open wide your curtains
I wonder
Empty and useless I am
Sing out and aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
And cry aloud
The song "Sing Oh Barren One" by Sweet Honey In The Rock, is a spiritual song that speaks to those who feel lonely, useless, and empty. The opening four lines speak to the void that the singer feels within themselves. The repetition of "empty and useless" emphasizes the depths of the singer's despair. Despite feeling this way, the singer decides to lift their voice and sing out. The repeated phrases "Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud" encourages the listener to find their voice and speak out.
The song then shifts to a message of hope. The singer hears a voice encouraging them to sing out, despite not having children. The next verse references a passage from the Bible (Isaiah 54:1) that speaks to the value of those who have not had children. The line "For more are the children of the desolate/Than the children of a married wife" emphasizes the importance of those who have been excluded in some way. The final verse repeats the phrase "And cry aloud" seven times, emphasizing the importance of speaking out and finding one's voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Empty and lonely I was
I felt unfulfilled and unhappy with my life
Wordless and useless, I felt
I lacked purpose and felt inadequate
Bounded and closed I wandered
I felt trapped and aimless
Empty and useless I was
I had no direction or sense of value
Then I lift my voice
I realize the power of my own voice
Sing O barren one sing out and cry aloud
I am urging others who feel empty and unproductive to speak up
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
I am encouraging those who are lost to use their voice
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
I am emphasizing the importance of speaking up
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
I am urging everyone to voice their opinions and experiences
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
I am asserting that everyone has worth and something to say
Sing O barren one and sing out cry aloud
I am reinforcing the importance of speaking out
Then I heard - thou that did′st not bear
I heard a message that speaks to those who have not yet found purpose
Thou that did'st not travel with child
It addresses those who have not yet embarked on a meaningful journey
Break forth in the singing and ride out
It implores us to be bold and take action
For more are the children of the desolate
Opportunities arise from difficult situations
Than the children of a married wife
There are more possibilities for growth and fulfillment from adversity
For more are the children of the desolate
We can always find purpose even in the bleakest circumstances
Than the children of a married wife
We can still achieve great things even without traditional advantages
Then I heard - open wide your curtains
I heard a call to action - to embrace life and opportunities
I wonder
I am full of amazement and hope
Empty and useless I am
I am acknowledging my past feelings of worthlessness
Sing out and aloud
I am reminding others to speak up and use their voice
And cry aloud
I emphasize the power of emotion and vulnerability
And cry aloud
I believe that emotional expression can lead to healing
And cry aloud
I encourage others to release their emotions through sound
And cry aloud
I believe that making noise can be a cathartic experience
And cry aloud
I urge others to express themselves and create a harmonious future
And cry aloud
I believe that when we speak out, we can bring change to the world
Writer(s): Bernice Johnson Reagon
Contributed by Riley T. 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?