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.
Stay
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The clock on the wall
Says it′s time to go
But I know
My heart really wants you to stay a while
Hear the seconds ticking by
And the world outside is still
Stay a while with me
Oh oh oh oh ohh
Stay a while
With me
Stay a while
So breezy
Blowin through the air
The summer moon's right and
High in the sky
Waves of love
Are dancin around everywhere
Like golden fireflies in the clear black sky
Sitting here with you is so sweet
So divine
Like the sound of the wind whistling through the trees
When I′m with you baby
Not a word needs to be said
Tender love
I'm asking you to
Stay a little bit longer
Please stay
Stay a little bit longer
Stay a little bit longer with me
Why don't you stay
Oh stay
Stay a little bit longer with me
Boom boom
(Do do do do do...)
(Shoo do do do do do do...)
One life
One Earth
One spirit
One heart
One love between us
When you drink
My thirst is satisfied
And when I tire I know that you′ll be there to give me rest
Just to live my life with you would be so sweet
So divine
Like the sound of the wind whistling through the trees
Ancestor rhythms
The sound of two hearts dance in love dance together
Time is moving on
But I′m asking you to
Stay a little bit longer
Please stay
Stay a little bit longer
Stay a little bit longer with me
Why don't you stay
Stay a little bit longer
Boom
Boom boom
(Do do do do do...)
(Do do do do do do do...)
The song "Stay" by Sweet Honey In The Rock is a nostalgic ode to the beauty of being present in the moment with a loved one. The theme of time is prevalent in the lyrics, with the clock ticking and the world outside still, emphasizing the importance of cherishing the moments spent together. The song creates a peaceful and breezy atmosphere with its light and melodic tune, adding to the gentle mood created by the lyrics. The metaphor of golden fireflies dancing around generates a warm and comforting feeling in the listener's mind.
The lyrics focus on the idea of two hearts coming together in love and harmony, with the singer asking their partner to "stay a little bit longer." The only thing that they desire is to be with their loved one, listening to the sound of the wind whistling through the trees. The love shared between the two is potent and fulfilling, as the two become one spirit and one heart.
Overall, "Stay" captures the feeling of bliss and contentment that being present in a moment with a loved one can bring. The lyrics' vivid imagery, gentle melody, and emotive vocals combine to form a song that is a plea to hold on to the sweetness of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Boom boom
The sound of the heartbeat, indicating strong emotions and anticipation
The clock on the wall
A symbol of time ticking away, urging the need to part ways
Says it's time to go
The clock indicates the need to move on and leave the current space
But I know
Despite the practical need to leave, there is an emotional desire to stay
My heart really wants you to stay a while
The emotional connection is strong, creating a longing to stay together
Hear the seconds ticking by
The sound of the clock creates a sense of urgency and finite time
And the world outside is still
The outside world is quiet and unchanging, making the present moment more valuable
So before you have to leave
Recognizing the impending departure and the need to act on emotions quickly
Stay a while with me
Appealing to the other person's emotions, pleading them to stay longer
Oh oh oh oh ohh
An expression of strong emotions and desire to stay together
Stay a while
Repeating the plea to stay longer
With me
Clarifying who the appeal is directed towards
So breezy
Describing the present moment as relaxed, natural and pleasant
Blowin through the air
The gentle wind is symbolic of the natural and easy-going nature of the present moment
The summer moon's right and
Describing the season and the current hour, enhancing the atmosphere of the moment
High in the sky
Placing the moon at the forefront, symbolizing natural beauty and emotional closeness
Waves of love
Describing the intensity of the emotional connection between the two people
Are dancin around everywhere
Symbolizing a joy and unity that is found in love
Like golden fireflies in the clear black sky
The beauty and rarity of the moment is significant and meaningful
Sitting here with you is so sweet
Describing the current moment as pure joy and contentment, wanting it to continue
So divine
Expressing the spiritual significance of the moment and the intense emotions experienced
Like the sound of the wind whistling through the trees
The sound is a symbol of nature, beauty, and serenity
When I'm with you baby
The personal and intimate nature of the conversation is emphasized
Not a word needs to be said
The connection and understanding between the two people is strong without the need for words
Tender love
Expressing the gentle and loving nature of the emotions experienced
I'm asking you to
Making a verbal appeal to the other person to stay longer
Stay a little bit longer
The appeal to the other person to stay, enhanced by repetition
Please stay
Making a direct request to the other person to prolong their stay
Why don't you stay
Asking a question to appeal to the other person's emotions, creating a sense of obligation to stay
Oh stay
Repeating the appeal to stay longer
Stay a little bit longer with me
Clarifying the desire to prolong the time spent together
One life
Emphasizing the value and uniqueness of the present moment
One Earth
Creating a sense of unity between the people present and the world they are in
One spirit
Emphasizing the spiritual and emotional connection between the two people
One heart
Stating that the emotional connection is the most significant aspect of the present moment
One love between us
Describing the intensity of the emotional connection between the people present
When you drink
Metaphorically using drinking to symbolize satisfying an emotional need or desire
My thirst is satisfied
The other person's presence and connection fulfill an emotional need, creating a sense of satisfaction
And when I tire I know that you'll be there to give me rest
Emphasizing the intimate nature of the connection and the trust that comes with it
Just to live my life with you would be so sweet
Stating that being in the other person's presence brings joy and happiness
Ancestor rhythms
Symbolizing the roots and history of the present moment and the people present
The sound of two hearts dance in love dance together
Describing the emotional connection between the people present in a poetic manner
Time is moving on
Creating a sense of urgency and finite time during the current moment
But I'm asking you to
Repeating the previous appeals to the other person to stay longer
Boom
The sound of the heartbeat, emphasizing the intense emotions of the present moment
Boom boom
Repeating the sound of the heartbeat, emphasizing the intense emotions of the present moment
(Do do do do do...)
Musical interlude, creating a sense of emotions through repetition
(Shoo do do do do do do...)
Musical interlude, creating a sense of anticipation and desire through repetition
Writer(s): Maurice Williams
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
hahaha thats funny bro
nice
Amado McG
That was me on my original channel
Fun Video Fan Number 1
Thanks