1.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.
This is the first stanza to People Get Ready, first recorded by
Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions.
I can’t write about this song without becoming very emotional indeed. Anybody who knows me knows that MLK, Jr. is among my heroes and for some reason I vibrate with soul music like this.
A beautiful soul singing beautiful soul.
Wouldn’t it be nice to think that after all the struggle and strife, a train is coming? And you don’t need a ticket, passport, picture ID, baggage? All you need is faith. Who has that?
2.So people get ready, for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast.
Faith is the key, open the doors and board ’em
There’s hope for all, among those loved the most.
This is at the very heart of music. I might be the only person on the face of this earth to say this, but it’s the same with classical music. Just listen to Beethoven’s Ode To Joy, the final piece of the 9th symphony. It’s just German soul music!!!
3.There ain’t no room for the hopeless sinner
Whom would hurt all mankind, just to save his own–believe me now
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place against the kingdom’s throne.
So you can get on this train even if you’re a sinner. The only sinner who can’t get on is the hopeless one.
4.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.
lgmwriting 