Amos is best known as blues singer and harmonica player, “The Reverend Shawn Amos.” He has released multiple studio, live, single and extended-play titles under the moniker.
Weight of the World
The Reverend Shawn Amos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She broke free
From the weight of the world
The shape of the long curve
In her hands
Here’s someone
Who understands
Ida Bell is recalling
Every Red Record
Etched in her mind
She was born at the right time
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She’s shaking the weight of the world
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
They chased her straight out of Memphis
She won’t back down
From an angry mob
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Told her people to go west
Ain’t no justice
For our folks here
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ida Bell tells her faithful
That the past
Don’t turn on a dime
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
She was born at the right time
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She’s shaking the weight of the world
Say her name so you hear
What it is to face your fear
Say her name so you know
What it means to keep your soul
Shake the weight of the world
Shake the weight of the world
Shake the weight of the world
Shake the weight of it
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Say her name
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Say her name
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Say her name
Say her name
Say her name
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She’s shaking
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She’s shaking
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She’s shaking
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Stylin’ on ‘em
She’s calling
She's shaking the weight of the world
The lyrics to "Weight of the World" by The Reverend Shawn Amos highlight the story and resilience of Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, a prominent African-American journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the first verse, Ida Bell is described as being done talking, symbolizing her breaking free from the burden of societal expectations and the struggles faced by her community. The line "The shape of the long curve in her hands, here's someone who understands" represents her holding the historical records of the injustices faced by African Americans, particularly the "Red Records" which documented lynchings and violence, indicating her understanding and determination to bring justice to the situation.
The second verse references Ida Bell's expulsion from Memphis due to her investigative journalism and outspokenness against racial violence. It suggests that she won't back down from the anger and hostility she faced. She advises her people to go west, emphasizing that there is no justice for their folks in their current surroundings. The following lines highlight her role as a leader who reminds her faithful followers that the past cannot be easily erased or forgotten.
The chorus urges the listener to "say her name" to acknowledge the impact and significance of Ida Bell Wells-Barnett's actions and to understand the struggles and fears she faced. It also encourages listeners to recognize the importance of defending one's soul and identity in the face of adversity. The repetition of "Stylin' on 'em, she's calling, she's shaking the weight of the world" emphasizes Ida Bell's strength, courage, and determination in challenging the injustices of her time. The final lines echo the plea to say her name and to shake off the heavy burden of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Ida Bell is done talking
Ida Bell has finished expressing herself verbally
She broke free
She escaped from a burden or constraint
From the weight of the world
From the overwhelming pressure and responsibility of the world
The shape of the long curve
The form or essence of a continuous and extended period
In her hands
Within her control or influence
Here’s someone
This person is someone of significance
Who understands
Who comprehends and empathizes
Ida Bell is recalling
Ida Bell is remembering or reflecting upon
Every Red Record
Every documented case of racially motivated violence
Etched in her mind
Permanently imprinted in her memory
She was born at the right time
She was born in an era when her actions and influence are significant
Stylin’ on ‘em
Exhibiting impressive style, confidence, and flair
She's calling
She is making a strong and persuasive appeal
She’s shaking the weight of the world
She is actively challenging and overcoming the burdens and injustices of the world
They chased her straight out of Memphis
She was forcefully expelled or driven away from Memphis
She won’t back down
She refuses to retreat or surrender
From an angry mob
From a group of enraged and hostile individuals
Told her people to go west
Instructed her community to move towards the western region
Ain’t no justice
There is no fairness or equality
For our folks here
For people in this particular place or situation
Ida Bell tells her faithful
Ida Bell informs her loyal supporters
That the past
That the history and previous events
Don’t turn on a dime
Doesn't change abruptly or instantly
Say her name so you hear
Mention her name so that you truly understand
What it is to face your fear
What it means to confront and overcome your own fears
Say her name so you know
Utter her name so that you fully comprehend
What it means to keep your soul
What it signifies to maintain your integrity and inner self
Shake the weight of the world
Challenge and rid yourself of the heavy burdens and responsibilities of the world
Shake the weight of it
Shake off the burden and pressure
Say her name
Acknowledge and speak her name
Stylin’ on ‘em
Radiating confidence and remarkable style
She’s calling
She is demanding attention and action
She’s shaking
She is actively challenging and disrupting
Say her name
Mention and honor her name
Say her name
Speak her name with respect and recognition
Say her name
Utter her name to acknowledge her impact and legacy
Stylin’ on ‘em
Displaying remarkable style and grace
She’s calling
She is demanding attention and response
She’s shaking
She is vigorously challenging and unsettling
Stylin’ on ‘em
Exhibiting impressive style and confidence
She’s calling
She is making a strong and persuasive appeal
She’s shaking
She is actively challenging and disrupting
Stylin’ on ‘em
Radiating confidence and remarkable style
She’s calling
She is demanding attention and action
She's shaking the weight of the world
She is actively challenging and overcoming the burdens and injustices of the world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matthew Thomas, Ryan Keaton, Stuart Hart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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