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.
Waters Of Babylon
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
It may seem odd that Sweet Honey In The Rock's song "Waters of Babylon" starts with a verse from a completely different song, "Moon River". However, the inclusion of this verse is actually purposeful and significant. "Moon River" is a popular love song that was originally featured in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. The songwriters, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, intended for the song to represent the longing and yearning for a sense of belonging in a tumultuous world. The first verse of "Waters of Babylon" follows this same theme of longing and adds a layer of cultural significance. The lyrics, "By the waters, the waters of Babylon", reference a psalm in the Old Testament that speaks to the exile of the Jewish people from their homeland. The psalm speaks to the sadness and loss that comes with being forced to leave one's home, and the importance of maintaining hope and faith through it all.
The chorus of "Waters of Babylon" serves as a plea to remember one's cultural heritage and to not forget where one comes from. The "rivers of Babylon" represent the cultural touchstones and traditions that are being left behind. However, the song also acknowledges the reality of having to adapt and change in a new environment. The lines "Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in thy sight" speak to the importance of finding commonality and peace with those who may have different beliefs or traditions.
Overall, "Waters of Babylon" is a song that speaks to the universal themes of longing, loss, and hope. By incorporating a verse from another song, the lyrics take on a richer meaning and tie into the larger cultural narrative of displacement and finding a sense of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon river, wider than a mile
The river is expansive and vast, reaching beyond the horizon.
I'm crossing you in style someday
One day, I will journey across this river with elegance and grace.
Oh, dream maker, heart breaker
You are the architect of my dreams, but also have the power to break my heart.
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
No matter where you lead me, I will follow you.
Two drifters off to see the world
We are two wanderers in search of new and exciting experiences.
There's such a lot of world to see
There are countless places to explore and discover.
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
We are both chasing after the promise of something wonderful just beyond our reach, and we know it's waiting for us just around the corner.
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
My loyal and trusted companion, along with the river, will continue to accompany me on my journey.
Contributed by Dylan D. 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?