Are You Ready
The Dixie Hummingbirds Lyrics


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Well, are you ready now – Hallelujah!

To see your savior's face,
or have you got some straightenin' up to do,
before you leave this place.

And everybody wanna go to heaven,
really don't nobody wanna die.
but if you're not sure you're ready now,
you should not tell a lie.

Well the ones who's ready now – hallelujah!
to walk those golden streets,
Did see you neighbor this morning, laud,
did you fear to speak.

And everybody wanna go to heaven,
really don't nobody wanna die.
but if you're not sure you're ready now,
you should not tell a lie.

Some people go to church every Sunday - so true
Some every once in a while - so true
some over paid their church dues - so true
trying to pay for that long last mile - so true
while other take different positions - so true
like singin' in the choir - so true
but if you're not sure you're ready now,
you should not tell a lie.

Well are you ready now – hallelujah!
to go down in your grave,
or have you got enough salvation,
to make old Satan behave.

But everybody wanna go to heaven,
really don't nobody wanna die.
if you're not sure you're ready now
you should not tell a lie.

Well often times we hear these words - so true
I'm living the best I can - so true
but the holy bible tells you - so true
you havta live it free from sin - so true
no matter how hard the task may be - so true
you can make it if you try - so true
but if you're not sure you're ready now,
you should not tell a lie.

Well are you ready now – hallaleujah!
to say you are glory bound,
and you know good and well,
you're still messing around.

Everybody wanna go to heaven,
really don't nobody wanna die.
But, if you're not sure you're ready now,
take up ya bed and say it - if you're not sure you're ready now




Sang it one mo' time - if you're not sure you're ready now,
you should not tell a lie.

Overall Meaning

The Dixie Hummingbirds’s song “Are You Ready?” has an inspirational message reminding listeners to ask themselves whether they are ready to meet their maker when the time comes. It starts by asking whether the listener is ready to see their savior's face or whether they have some "straightenin' up" to do before leaving this world. This is a clear allusion to the Christian belief in preparing oneself for heaven by living a good life and upholding Christian values.


The song then goes on to describe the different ways people try to prepare for the afterlife, such as going to church every Sunday or taking part in church activities. However, the song emphasizes that living free from sin is the most important factor in being ready to meet one's maker. The use of the phrase “you should not tell a lie” at the end of each verse reiterates this message, saying one shouldn't falsely claim to be ready if they are not.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, are you ready now – Hallelujah!
Asking if the listener is ready to meet their savior and go to heaven.


To see your savior's face,
Referring to meeting Jesus Christ in the afterlife.


or have you got some straightenin' up to do,
Suggesting that the listener may need to improve or correct their behavior before going to heaven.


before you leave this place.
Before the listener passes away and leaves the Earth.


And everybody wanna go to heaven,
Acknowledging that most people desire to go to heaven.


really don't nobody wanna die.
Recognizing that very few people actually want to die to get to heaven.


but if you're not sure you're ready now,
If the listener is unsure if they are ready to go to heaven,


you should not tell a lie.
They should not lie to themselves or others about their readiness for heaven.


Well the ones who's ready now – hallelujah!
Praising those who are prepared to go to heaven.


to walk those golden streets,
Describing the streets of heaven as being made of gold and suggesting that the listener wants to go there.


Did see you neighbor this morning, laud,
Asking if the listener saw their neighbor this morning.


did you fear to speak.
Asking if the listener was afraid to speak to their neighbor and share the good news of Christ.


Some people go to church every Sunday - so true
Acknowledging that some people attend church regularly.


Some every once in a while - so true
Recognizing that some people only attend church occasionally.


some over paid their church dues - so true
Noting that some people may believe they can buy their way into heaven by paying church dues.


trying to pay for that long last mile - so true
Suggesting that some people believe they can pay for their salvation, rather than achieving it through their actions.


while other take different positions - so true
Recognizing that some people may approach their faith in different ways.


like singin' in the choir - so true
Describing how some people participate in church by singing in the choir.


But, if you're not sure you're ready now,
If the listener is unsure if they are ready for heaven,


you should not tell a lie.
They should not deceive themselves or others about their readiness for heaven.


to go down in your grave,
Referring to the listener's death and burial.


or have you got enough salvation,
Asking if the listener has achieved salvation through their actions and beliefs.


to make old Satan behave.
Asking if the listener is capable of standing up to temptation and resisting sin.


Well often times we hear these words - so true
Commenting on some common sayings that people use.


I'm living the best I can - so true
A phrase that people may use to describe their approach to life and faith.


but the holy bible tells you - so true
Recognizing that the Bible has guidance for how to live one's life.


you havta live it free from sin - so true
Emphasizing the importance of living a life free from sin as outlined in the Bible.


no matter how hard the task may be - so true
Acknowledging that following the guidance of the Bible can be challenging.


you can make it if you try - so true
Offering encouragement that it is possible to live a sin-free life with effort and dedication.


to say you are glory bound,
Asking if the listener is ready to say that they are bound for glory and heaven.


and you know good and well,
Implying that the listener knows the truth about their readiness for heaven.


you're still messing around.
Suggesting that the listener is still participating in sinful behavior and needs to make a change before they can go to heaven.


take up ya bed and say it - if you're not sure you're ready now
Encouraging the listener to take action and declare their readiness for heaven if they are truly prepared.


Sang it one mo' time - if you're not sure you're ready now,
Repeating the message that the listener should not lie about their readiness for heaven.


you should not tell a lie.
Emphasizing the importance of being truthful about one's readiness for heaven.




Contributed by Maya E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@tanyapeterson667

THIS IS PURE DOWN HOME GOSPEL! THANK YOU LORD!

@leahdabomb1

I play this song every Sunday! Please never take it down I love it

@darlenejackson8679

Love and appreciate this unforgettable music

@jeffersonturnage2061

This music has always touched my heart &soul.I,m 71 years young,I,be listened to and enjoyed the Birds since I was a teen and their music still leaves me speechless.thanks for sharing.

@typrsn1

You're welcome.

@henriettaparks586

I WAS PRIVILEGED!! TO HAVE BEEN RAISED ON QUARTET SINGING!! BEAUTIFULL!! 2020!!!

@richardbrownjr2815

This song and album came to my mind just now; it was released a year before I was born. My parents had a copy that was scratched from so much use, but we played it and enjoyed it anyway. In the mid 80’s, I found a brand new LP reissue of this album and was so excited! The entire project is great and is one my favorites by the Dixie Hummingbirds. Thanks for uploading.

@typrsn1

You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

@shannypooh7517

I need this

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