The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
Meeting over Yonder
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
Children, are you ready?
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
All the boys and the girls' gonna be there
Young and old, weak and strong's gonna be there
So children, are you ready?
Get my coat, got to go
To the meeting over yonder
I've got to learn what I don't know
At the meeting over yonder
At the talkin', I'm sure all will agree
The best thing for you, you and me
Is go to the meeting over yonder
Go to the meeting over yonder
Keep on pushin' now
Children, are you ready?
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
Children, are you ready?
For the meeting over yonder
All the boys and the girls' gonna be there
Young and old, weak and strong's gonna be there
So children, are you ready?
For the meeting over yonder
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
For the meeting over yonder
For the meeting over yonder
For the meeting over yonder
For the meeting over yonder
The song "Meeting Over Yonder" by The Impressions is a gospel-inspired song with a message of hope and unity. The opening lines of the song ask "Children, are you ready?" as a way of inviting listeners to join in the upcoming meeting. The lyrics suggest that this meeting is important because everyone will be there, regardless of age or ability. The repetition of the phrase "meeting over yonder" suggests that this gathering is something special, perhaps otherworldly or divine.
The lyrics also suggest that the meeting is a place of learning and growth. The singer declares that they must "get [their] coat" and "go to the meeting over yonder" in order to "learn what [they] don't know." The lyrics suggest that this meeting will offer a chance to gain wisdom and insight from others.
The song's message of unity and hope is reinforced through its use of repetition and call-and-response. The repeated phrases "children, are you ready?" and "for the meeting over yonder" create a sense of anticipation and excitement, while the call-and-response sections emphasize the communal nature of the meeting. This song serves as a reminder that a meeting of people with shared goals and a common desire for growth and unity can create something powerful and transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
Children, are you ready?
Are you prepared for the upcoming event?
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
An event is going to happen soon.
All the boys and the girls' gonna be there
Everyone is invited, regardless of age or gender.
Young and old, weak and strong's gonna be there
All types of people will attend the event.
So children, are you ready?
Once again, are you ready for the event?
Get my coat, got to go
The singer needs to leave soon for the event.
To the meeting over yonder
The event is taking place somewhere a short distance away.
I've got to learn what I don't know
The artist wants to broaden their knowledge at the event.
At the talkin', I'm sure all will agree
During the conversation, everyone is expected to come to a mutual agreement.
The best thing for you, you and me
The outcome of the event will benefit everyone in attendance.
Is go to the meeting over yonder
The solution to our problems is to attend the event.
Keep on pushin' now
Encouragement to persevere and overcome any obstacles in attending the event.
There's gonna be a meeting over yonder
Reiteration of the upcoming event.
For the meeting over yonder
Reiteration of the event's location.
For the meeting over yonder
Reiteration of the event's location.
For the meeting over yonder
Reiteration of the event's location.
For the meeting over yonder
Reiteration of the event's location.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rollerchickable
I Love This Song.
@williamdowning1552
Theses are my tunes , there's no Jeb here 😎 with love from Costa Rica 🌴
@billmm79
Thanks Zeb for all the tunes. Excellent
@2005peasah
Fred, Curtis, Jerry and Sam are the Impressions and man, they were so special.Curtis Mayfield was just so soulfully divine and I don't care what anyone says about that.Curtis will be missed, but his sweet tones are never forgotten.The Impressions classics for me is People get Ready and Amen.
@metalman7806
Love this and also loved the Style Council cover of it
@ModZeb1967
Always a pleasure mates. More to come.
@LionRock08
Best song ever! thanks Zeb
@williamdowning1552
I don't know who jeb is , but this is my game 😎