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.
We Are
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
We are our grandmothers prayers
We are our grandfathers dreamings
We are the breath of the ancestors
We are the spirit of God
We are Mothers of courage
Fathers of time
Daughters of dust
Sons of great visions
We are sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
Lovers of life and the builders of nations
We're seekers of truth
And keepers of faith
Makers of peace wisdom of ages
We are our grandmothers prayers
And we are our grandfaters dreamings
We are the breath of the ancestors
We are the spirit of God
We are mothers of courage
Fathers of time
We are daughters of dust
And sons of great vision
We are sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
We're lovers of life and the builders of nations
We're seekers of truth and keepers of faith
Makers of peace and the wisdom of ages
We are our grandmothers prayers
And we are our grandfathers dreamings
We are the breath of our ancestors we are the spirit of God
For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are
We are one
This song by Sweet Honey In The Rock, titled We Are, is a beautiful tribute to the interconnectedness of humanity and the important roles we play in the fabric of history. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the idea that when a child is born, the universe is given a gift. The morning star that rises and sings represents the hope and promise of a new life and the way in which that life will contribute to the world.
The following verses explore the various facets of humanity, focusing on the roles we play within our families, communities, and countries. The repetition of the refrain, "We are our grandmothers' prayers, we are our grandfathers' dreamings" highlights the idea that we are not alone in this world, but rather a continuation of the hopes and dreams of those who came before us. The breath of the ancestors and the spirit of God represent the interconnectedness of all things, the idea that we are all part of a greater whole.
The chorus repeats the idea that for each child that is born, a morning star rises and sings, emphasizing the importance of every individual in the greater scheme of humanity. By the end of the song, the key message is clear - we are all one, bound together by our collective experiences, hopes, and dreams. The song is a beautiful reminder of the power of humanity and our ability to make a positive impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
For each child that born
With the birth of every child, a new day dawns and hope is renewed
A morning star rises and sings
The bright promise of a new day is celebrated with joyful song
To the universe who we are
Our presence and unique individuality is recognized and appreciated by the world around us
We are our grandmothers prayers
Our ancestors have prayed for us and their blessings continue to guide us today
We are our grandfathers dreamings
Our forefathers have envisioned a bright future for us, and we have the power to make it a reality
We are the breath of the ancestors
Our ancestors live on through us, and we carry their hopes, dreams, and wisdom with us always
We are the spirit of God
We are all children of a divine power, and our souls are infused with its light and love
We are Mothers of courage
As mothers, we summon the strength to protect and nurture our children
Fathers of time
As fathers, we shape the future by passing down our wisdom and knowledge to the next generation
Daughters of dust
As women, we are connected to the earth and grounded in its mysteries and beauty
Sons of great visions
As men, we have the power to imagine new possibilities and bring them to life
We are sisters of mercy
We extend compassion and kindness to those in need and work for the betterment of all
Brothers of love
We foster connection and empathy with those around us, creating a world that is full of acceptance and affection
Lovers of life and the builders of nations
We celebrate the joys of living and co-create strong communities that honor the dignity and potential of all its members
We're seekers of truth
We strive to understand the world around us and the mysteries of the universe
And keepers of faith
We hold onto hope and trust in a divine force that guides and sustains us
Makers of peace and the wisdom of ages
We work tirelessly to create harmony and balance in the world and learn from the lessons of the past
We are one
Despite our differences, we are all interconnected and share a common humanity
Lyrics © BARNWELL'S NOTES, INC.
Written by: Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ysaye Maria Barnwell
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?