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.
The Other Side
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm
Come on
Lovin' you has got to be
(take me to the other side)
Like the devil in the deep blue sea
(take me to the other side)
Forget about your foolish pride
Oh take me to the other side
(take me to the other side)
My mama told me there'd be days like this
And man she wasn't foolin'
'cause I just can't believe the way you kiss
You opened up your moth with bated breath
You said you'd never leave me
You love me, you hate me, I tried to take the loss
You're cryin' me a river but I got to get across
Lovin' you has got to be
(take me to the other side)
Like the devil in the deep blue sea
(take me to the other side)
Forget about your foolish pride
(take me to the other side)
Oh take me to the other side
(take me to the other side)
I'm lookin' for another kind of love
Oh lordy, how I need it
The kind that likes to leap without a shove
Oh honey, best believe it
To save a lot of time and foolish pride
I'll say what's on my mind, girl
You love me, you hate me, you cut me down to size
You blinded me with love and, yeah, it opened up my eyes
Lovin' you has got to be
(take me to the other side)
Like the devil and the deep blue sea
(take me to the other side)
My conscience got to be my guide
(take me to the other side)
Oh honey, take me, take me, take, take, take, take
Take me to the other side
I'm lookin' for another kind of love
Oh, lordy, how I need it
The kind that likes to leap without a shove
Honey, you best believe it
Now I ain't one for saying long goodbyes
I hope all is forgiven
You loved me, you hate me, I used to be your lover
You know you had it coming, girl
So take me to the other side
Take me to the other side, take me to the other side
Lovin' you has got to be
(take me to the other side)
Like the devil and the deep blue sea
(take me to the other side)
My conscience got to be my guide
(take me to the other side)
Oh honey, take me to the other side
Lovin' you has got to be
(take me to the other side)
Like the devil in the deep blue sea
(take me to the other side)
Forget about your foolish pride
(take me to the other side)
Oh take me to the other side
(take me to the other side)
The lyrics to Sweet Honey In The Rock's "The Other Side" appear to be discussing a tumultuous relationship. The persona seems to feel overwhelmed by the relationship, as if they are "like the devil in the deep blue sea," unable to escape the turmoil. The persona's mother warned them of this possibility, but they did not fully believe it until they experienced it themselves. Despite the strife in the relationship, the persona seems to be searching for a different kind of love, one that is not forced or painful. In the end, the persona seems to be resigned to the situation and asks to be taken to the "other side," perhaps meaning another stage or another world where they can find peace.
The lyrics in "The Other Side" can be seen as a commentary on love and relationships. The song emphasizes that sometimes, despite best efforts, love can hurt and be difficult. It acknowledges that sometimes, what people think is love may not actually be the case. However, it also emphasizes the need for a different kind of love, one that is not painful or forced.
Furthermore, the poem uses imagery to reflect the theme of the song. For example, when the persona says "like the devil in the deep blue sea," it can be interpreted as being stuck in a hard place where they are unable to make a move forward or backward. This imagery is arguably used to describe the persona's situation in the toxic relationship. Additionally, the inclusion of the mother's advice, as well as the repetition of "take me to the other side," adds to the sense of hopelessness and the persona's search for something else.
Line by Line Meaning
Lovin' you has got to be
The experience of being with you is complex and difficult.
(take me to the other side)
I need to escape this difficult situation and find something more positive.
Like the devil in the deep blue sea
Being with you is like being in danger in a vast and unpredictable environment.
Forget about your foolish pride
You need to let go of your ego and work towards a solution.
My mama told me there'd be days like this
I was warned that I would encounter tough times and difficult relationships.
And man she wasn't foolin'
My mother was right about how hard things could be.
'cause I just can't believe the way you kiss
I am having difficulty reconciling my attraction to you with our problems.
You opened up your mouth with bated breath
You said something important or serious, but with hesitation or uncertainty.
You said you'd never leave me
You made a promise or commitment to stay together, but it might not be the case anymore.
You love me, you hate me, I tried to take the loss
Our relationship is characterized by ups and downs, and I have tried to make things work despite setbacks.
You're cryin' me a river but I got to get across
You are upset and emotional, but I need to move on and find something better for myself.
I'm lookin' for another kind of love
I want to find a more positive and fulfilling relationship.
Oh lordy, how I need it
I am desperate for a change and a better love.
The kind that likes to leap without a shove
I want a partner who is enthusiastic and confident, not pushed into things.
Oh honey, best believe it
You better believe that I am serious about finding something better for myself.
To save a lot of time and foolish pride
I am trying to be honest and direct to avoid wasting any more time on this.
I'll say what's on my mind, girl
I am going to speak my truth and be clear about what I want.
You cut me down to size
You have hurt me or damaged my self-esteem.
You blinded me with love and, yeah, it opened up my eyes
I was consumed by my feelings for you, but now I see the problems that were always there.
My conscience got to be my guide
I need to listen to my own internal sense of right and wrong when making decisions.
Now I ain't one for saying long goodbyes
I don't want to drag things out or dwell in the past.
I hope all is forgiven
I wish you no ill will and hope we can leave things on good terms.
You used to be your lover
We were formerly in a romantic relationship.
You know you had it coming, girl
You deserved the consequences of your actions or behavior.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward J Holland, Steven Tyler, James Douglas Vallance
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?