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.
Women Gather
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was his second daughter, a father's pride and joy.
Somebody's mother, brother, best friend, sister, lover
Maybe an A-1 student running, hiding, taking cover.
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living,
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
The women gather
People say, "Not in this neighborhood!
It doesn't happen here!
Our kids have everything,
What do we have to fear?"
But what about the ones who say, "This happens every day;
Drugs and violence take our children.
How much more death can come our way?"
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living,
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living,
The women gather
Don't you know?
Some bullets find their targets
Bombs can take you right on cue
Some in the hands of babies
Or officials and their crew
Claimed the brother had a gun
She fit the profile in my book
Running, hiding, taking cover, didn't take the time to look
Somebody's mother, brother, best friend, sister, lover
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living,
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living,
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
It doesn't matter where you're living
It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter where you're living
The lyrics of Sweet Honey In The Rock's song Women Gather talk about the loss and mourning of innocent lives due to violence, particularly in the form of shootings and bombings. The first verse speaks of two victims - a mother and a father - whose lives have been taken, leaving their families in grief. The second verse challenges the notion that some neighborhoods are immune to violence, pointing out that tragedy can strike anywhere. The third verse lists off different ways in which violence can be enacted before repeating the refrain that women gather to mourn those lost.
The song highlights the universal experience of pain and loss felt by women in particular, whose families and communities are often most affected by violence. The song emphasizes the importance of coming together and supporting one another during difficult times.
Overall, Women Gather is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the deep empathy and humanity we all share, even in the midst of tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
He was her only child, her baby boy
A mother lost her son, the only child she had.
She was his second daughter, a father's pride and joy.
A father lost his daughter, the one he cherished deeply.
Somebody's mother, brother, best friend, sister, lover
The victims of violence and injustice are not just statistics. They are human beings, with loved ones who are impacted by their loss.
Maybe an A-1 student running, hiding, taking cover.
Even the most successful people in our society are not immune to violence and discrimination, and must take precautions to protect themselves.
The women gather crying tears that fill a million oceans
The pain and sorrow caused by violence and injustice is overwhelming, and can unite women in solidarity and shared grief.
It doesn't matter where you're living,
Violence and injustice can happen anywhere, regardless of wealth, status, or location.
People say, "Not in this neighborhood!
Denial and ignorance are not helpful responses to violence and injustice, and can prevent communities from taking action to address these issues.
Our kids have everything,
Privilege and comfort do not guarantee safety, and can blind people to the struggles of others.
What do we have to fear?"
False security can create complacency, which can in turn enable violence and injustice to continue.
But what about the ones who say, "This happens every day;
Acknowledge the reality of violence and injustice, and listen to those who are impacted by it every day.
Drugs and violence take our children.
Many factors contribute to violence and injustice, and they can have devastating consequences for young people.
How much more death can come our way?"
The fear and sadness caused by violence and injustice can become overwhelming, and can bring communities together to demand change.
Don't you know?
The prevalence of violence and injustice is well-documented, and cannot be ignored.
Some bullets find their targets
Violence can be random and unpredictable, and can hurt innocent people who are not involved in conflict.
Bombs can take you right on cue
Violence can be planned and coordinated, and can cause widespread damage and destruction.
Some in the hands of babies
Children and young people can be drawn into violence and injustice, either as victims or perpetrators.
Or officials and their crew
The very people who are supposed to protect and serve communities can sometimes be responsible for perpetrating violence and injustice.
Claimed the brother had a gun
False allegations and prejudices can contribute to violence and injustice, and can lead to wrongful accusations and harm.
She fit the profile in my book
Discrimination and stereotyping can be used to justify violence and injustice, and can harm innocent people who are targeted based on arbitrary criteria.
Running, hiding, taking cover, didn't take the time to look
In moments of fear and chaos, it can be difficult to make rational decisions and stay safe, and people may act on instinct to protect themselves.
It doesn't matter where you're living
Violence and injustice can happen anywhere, and no one is immune to their effects.
It doesn't matter
The pain and sorrow caused by violence and injustice are real and valid, regardless of location, wealth, or status.
Contributed by Ruby F. 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?