The late, great Curtis Mayfield wrote many socially conscious songs during the Sixties, Seventies and beyond, but "People Get Ready" is easily one of most beautiful and most spiritual.
The song was recorded during his time as Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions in the year 1965. The song has been recognized as one the greatest of all time and the gospel-inspired lyrics give it a deep and sincere message of hope.
CURTIS MAYFIELD – "People Get Ready"
(Words and music by Curtis Mayfield)
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 diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
People get ready for the train to Jordan
It's picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all among those loved the most.
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the Kingdom's throne
So 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 diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
Other noteworthy versions: Bob Marley & The Wailers | Ziggy Marley |
Jeff Beck & Rod Stewart
(SOMEWHERE) OVER THE RAINBOW / WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Israel "Iz" Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole (May 20, 1959 -- June 26, 1997) (pronounced ka-maka-vi-vo-ole) was a Hawaiian musical icon that had the brilliant idea of combining two classic songs into one beautiful medley.
"(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow" was made famous, of course, by Judy Garland when she sang it in the film "The Wizard of Oz" in 1930. While Louis Armstrong recorded probably the most well-known version of "What A Wonderful World" in 1967.
But Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, nicknamed the "Gentle Giant," blended the two together to form his own original song that is lovely, sweet and very spiritual, no doubt highly influenced by his Hawaiian heritage.
ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE – "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" / " What A Wonderful World"
(Music by Harold Arlen, words by E.Y. Harburg / Music and words by Bob Thiele, George David Weiss and George Douglas)
Oooooooooooooooooh
Oooooooooooooooooh
Oooooooooooooooooh
oooooooooh oooooooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true.
Someday i wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why oh why can't i
Well i see tree's of green and red roses to
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And i think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well i see skies of blue and
I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And i think to myself what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
I also one the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do
They're really saying I I love you
I hear babies cry and i watch them grow
They'll learn much more then we'll know
And i think to myself what a wonderful world
World
Someday i wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Well trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
Oh somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why oh why can't I
