Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers were a reggae group made up of four of Bob… Read Full Bio ↴Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers were a reggae group made up of four of Bob Marley's children: Ziggy, Stephen, Sharon, and Cedella.

They formed the Melody Makers when they were teenagers in 1979, and recorded "Children Playing in the Streets" with their father. They went on to perform at their father's funeral in 1981.

The band's popularity was at its highest during 1988, prompting a major record deal with Virgin Records. Shortly thereafter, the group released "Conscious Party," their third album. On the album was the hit single "Tomorrow People," and the album went on to earn a well-deserved Grammy.

People Get Ready
Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Lyrics

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People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord

People get ready

Train to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among the love the most

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne

People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord

There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
Just get on board

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul

Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "People Get Ready" by Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers speak of a spiritual journey, urging people to prepare themselves for an impending train ride to Jordan, picking up passengers from coast to coast. This journey is a metaphor for the journey towards salvation and eternal life. The train symbolizes the path to salvation and the call to board it invites all to be part of it. The emphasis is on the simplicity of faith, urging the listeners to leave behind their baggage, both physical and mental, and rely solely on their trust in the Lord to guide them on this journey.

The lyrics also express a warning to those who have strayed from the path of goodness and seek to harm others for personal gain. These individuals have no place on this train ride as it is a journey towards love and compassion, not selfishness and greed. The call for pity towards these individuals for their waning choices underlines the inevitability of the consequences of one's actions. The repeated phrase, "There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne" emphasizes the idea that everyone will be held accountable for their deeds, good or bad, in the end.

Overall, "People Get Ready" is a hopeful tune that inspires listeners to let go of their burdens and embrace faith as they embark on a spiritual journey towards love, kindness, and salvation.

Line by Line Meaning

People get ready
Prepare yourself

There's a train a comin'
An opportunity is approaching

You don't need no baggage you just get on board
You don't need material possessions to take advantage of this opportunity

All you need is faith
Belief in yourself and your abilities is crucial

To hear the diesel comin'
To be aware of the opportunity approaching

Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
The opportunity is free, express gratitude

Train to Jordan
The opportunity is a journey towards an important destination

Picking up passengers from coast to coast
The opportunity is available to everyone, no matter their location

Faith is key
Belief in yourself and the opportunity is essential

Open the doors and board them
Embrace the opportunity and take advantage of it

There's hope for all among the love the most
Everyone has a chance to succeed, especially those who are loving and kind