Sweet Honey in the Rock

The beginning of Sweet Honey In The Rock is discovered in the life and times of Bernice Johnson Reagon, the founding and only consistent member of the group. To be fair, all of the twenty-one former and current members are Sweet Honey, for Sweet Honey is the musical embodiment of the spirit of freedom whose roots go back to Africa, were nurtured by slavery, the Jubilee and the continuing struggles to realize that freedom. You must understand that Sweet Honey is a true community. Bernice is quoted saying, "I feel Sweet Honey as a woman with a single voice created out of many voices and when we walk off the stage, she really isn't there." None the less that single voice does have a beginning.

In 1973 Bernice Johnson Reagon was the vocal director of the DC Black Repertory Theater Company in Washington, DC. She had been singing since her childhood, in no small part due to the fact that her father was a Baptist minister in the rural town of Albany, Georgia. She was attending Albany State College, singing in the choir and studying Italian arias and German lieder as a contralto soloist, when the first march of the movement, which became known as the Albany Movement, occurred.in December of 1961. In jail she discovered the spirit sustaining power of song and became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, ultimately becoming a member of the original Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Freedom Singers. As a Freedom Singer she traveled the country, teaching the songs of the movement ("We Shall Not Be Moved") and also songs learned from the churches of her youth which so often dealt with the subject of freedom denied. With her background it was no surprise that she formed Sweet Honey, to continue that ongoing inspirational work, with members of her workshop at the Repertory Theater Company, in 1973. The first song that the original group learned was "Sweet Honey In The Rock," a song from her youth based on a religious parable. It was felt that the image was a suitable metaphor for African-American women; strong as a rock, sweet as honey. In the Spring of l975 Sweet Honey was performing at the Folk Festival at the University of Chicago when they were offered and agreed to a record for Flying Fish Records. Their first release was followed by one for Redwood Records, then back with Flying Fish for many more.

Through out the years Sweet Honey has been inspiring audiences and receiving awards for their musical virtuosity such as the Grammy in l988 in the category of Best Traditional Folk Recording for their version of Leadbelly's "Grey Goose" from the album Folkways, A Vision Shared. They've also been awarded countless CARA first and runner up awards. Though there has never been an award, that we know of, for best sign language interpretation of song, there should be. Shirley Childress Johnson discovered within herself the expressive balletic capacity to sign songs with the power and beauty of the singing members, and has been doing so since 1980. As a tribute to Sweet Honey In The Rock, allow us to list the other members, present and past, Louise Robinson, Carol Maillard, Mie, Dianaruthe Wharton, Evelyn Marie Harris, Rosie Lee Hooks, Ayodele Harrington, Ingrid Ellis, Tia Juana Starks, Patricia Johnson, Yasmeen Williams, Laura Sharp, Tulani Jordan Kinard, Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Helena Coleman, Geraldine Hardin, Aisha Kahlil, Nitanju Bolade Casel and Akua Opokuwaa.

For a final word here's Bernice. "We are warriors. Our songs sounds and lyrics give us stance - make clear the ground we hold. We name through our singing the territory of the expanding community we sound. When you see our songs, you see the tip of the mountain upon which we stand and it is solid ground."

Discography

Experience 101

4 U 2 Know As U Grow Education the Key When I Grow Up All I Have to Do Do What the Spirit Say Do Right Now Trust In the Middle of the Night Chinese Proverb The Soul of Nature Indaba: We Believe in You Member of the World Community Dog, Dog I Like It That Way Me is We The Best Medicine Gratitude 4 U 2 Know As U Grow

Sweet Honey in the Rock, the award-winning female African American ensemble, releases their first recording since Dr. Reagon’s retirement and is the group’s fourth CD for children. The CD’s colorful packaging – an eyecatching digipack and a 16-page booklet in the style of a school composition notebook – contributes to the theme of learning through music. Children from the ages of 9 to 12 pose questions about the mysteries of the adult world in print, and the members of Sweet Honey (six vocalists at the time of this recording, now five, not counting their onstage sign language interpreter) respond with songs of about peaceful coexistence, the virtues of education, the nurturing support and reassurance of parents and elders, following one’s moral and spiritual compass, and working to better the surrounding world. Emphasizing the group’s roots in African culture, the songs are matched up in print to Adinkra symbols used in Ghana, West Africa, to indicate wisdom, strength, unity, good fortune, harmony and other emotions crucial to leading a meaningful life. The sound of Sweet Honey is almost intoxicating, as they deploy their voices in myriad combinations and styles – call-and-response, scatting, percolating percussive effects, waterfalls of harmonies and counterpoints, rounds, spoken rap-like segments, and just about every other pleasing way the human voice can be utilized.

Listen to "In The Middle Of The Night" in Real Audio.

Raise Your Voice

I Remember, I Believe Chant Joan Little In The Upper Room With Jesus In The Morning When I Rise Fulani Chant Ballad of Harry T. Moore Denko Ballad Of The Broken Word / Give The People Their Right To Vote! Prayer To The One The Women Gather Nature Song Run Come Unto Me Old Ship Of Zion Movin' On

The songs from "Raise Your Voice!" come from two live benefit concerts from 2003. Acclaimed filmmaker and Emmy winner Stanley Nelson documented Sweet Honey's activities in this, Sweet Honey's 30th anniversary year, and this CD is the soundtrack to that film. It features 22 favorites such as "I Remember, I Believe," "Joan Little," "In The Upper Room with Jesus," "In the Morning When I Rise," "Denko," "The Women Gather," "Run," "Come Unto Me," "Old Ship of Zion" and "Movin' On." "Ballad of the Broken Word/Give the People Their Right to Vote!" features SH's collaboration with Toshi Reagon (daughter of founder Bernice Johnson Reagon) and her band Big Lovely. All other songs are a cappella, with occasional tamborine and light percussion. "Raise Your Voice!" puts us in the audience to experience this inspirational, soulful, powerful music from these a cappella legends!

Listen to "The Women Gather" in Real Audio.

The Women Gather - 30th Anniversary

The Women Gather Fly The Voiceof the Innocent Give the People Their Right to Vote Georgia Red Clay II Ballad of the Sit-ins Let Us Rise in Love 22 Hours in the Day Solid Gold II Somebody Prayed Me Over Ballad of Harry T. Moore That Awful Day Will Surely Come Nyoka Boko II Prayer at the Crossroads African Oasis II Yes It Was Come Unto Me We Want the Vote! Chant

Grammy-winning, African-American female quintet Sweet Honey has deep musical roots in in the sacred music of the black church--spirituals, hymns, gospel, as well as jazz and blues. Organized in 1973 by Cordell Hull Reagon, Sweet Honey has released 18 albums, and "Women" celebrates their 30th anniversary with predominantly original songs of freedom, activism and spirituality. 18 powerful songs: the title tune, "Fly," "The Voice of the Innocent," "Give the People their Right to Vote!," "Georgia Red Clay II," "Ballad of the Sit-Ins," "Let Us Rise In Love," "22 Hours In The Day," "Solid Gold II," "Somebody Prayed Me Over," "Ballad of Harry T. Moore," "That Awful Day Will Surely Come," "Nyoka Boko II," "Prayer At The Crossroads," "African Oasis II," "Yes It Was," "Come Unto Me" and "We Want The Vote! Chant." There is some non-vocal percussion in the driving, hypnotic African rhythms on songs like "Somebody Prayed Me Over." Colorful,extensive full-color liner notes give us lyrics, history and photos of this amazing group as they bring us another strong, moving, thought-provoking album!

Listen to "Somebody Prayed Me Over" in Real Audio.

Tuwe Tuwe Nature Song I Love To Laugh Oh My Goodness, Look at This Mess We're Almost Home We Shall Not Be Moved Way Down Deep Still The Same Me Still Gotta Get Up In The Morning Time Goodnight

Though directed to children, "Still The Same Me" is a delight at any age. The celebratory mood begins with the calls of "Tuwe Tuwe," a children's clapping song, arranged by Ysaye Maria Barnwell. Aisha Kahlil's own "Nature Song," a 3/4 tempo revelry for the earth that speeds up faster and faster at the end, Carole Maillard's infectious "I Love To Laugh," Nitanju Bolade Casel's "Oh My Goodness, Look At This Mess!" are among the 17 tracks that will inspire kids with joyful rhythms and melodies. Ever positive and encouraging, the liner notes include interviews with each of the six women of Sweet Honey, describing their own experiences as children and answering questions such as "What was your earliest music memory" and "do you remember a favorite song/poem/speech." Sweet Honey's "Still The Same Me" is a testimonial to the relentless power of "Yes! I can do it," and the difference we can all make in the world.

Born Angry Woke Up This Morning With Mind Stayed On Freedom Eyes On The Prize "Welcome to SNCC" This Little Light of Mine Making Progress is Rough...and Slow Ain' Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round Hungry For Courage, The Movement Grows Jonah's Last Day Road of Memories We'll Never Turn Back I'm On My Way To Freedom Land Po' Pilgrim Of Sorrow The Students Of Quinlan This May Be The Last Time Oh Freedom ...From One Generation To The Next Song Of Freedom

An exciting collaboration between "Titanic" composer James Horner and the powerful and enigmatic Sweet Honey, with one track written and co-produced by Carol King! Soundtrack recordings sometimes can strange bedfellows make (and not always the most consistent results), but "Freedom Song" is tailor made for the socially conscious Sweet Honey. The production lets the energy and conviction dominate, without dousing the material with slick gimmickry. We dare you to sit still for the inspiring "Oh Freedom," or remain stoic through "Po Pilgrim of Sorrow."

I Remember I Believe No More Auction Block Would You Harbor me Prayer Sing Oh Barren One Mystic Oceans Jordan River Stay on the Battlefield Can't Hide Sinner Jesus Is All Inner Voices Prayer to the One Balm in Gilead We Are

Not only do Sweet Honey delve into the tradition of African-American sacred songs but they create songs of soulful similarity which were stimulated by other traditions. "I Remember, I Believe" was inspired while pondering the Hebrew tradition of 'remembering' as the basis of faith. "Inner Voices" reflects the fact that it is within the stillness of our beings that we can discover our connection to the Creator. "Prayer To The One" reflects wisdom from Indian Hindu sacred texts which tells us that there is no place, no space, in which Spirit does not exist. Each of these songs are written by different members of Sweet Honey, yet they are all varying expressions of the same shared inner journey. Share the beauty that is the manifestation of a collective spiritual path.

We Are The Ones Chant Battered Earth Motherless Chil' Redemption Song Greed Sound-Bite From Beijing Sometime Run Anybody Here? Forever Love I Was Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbor Hope

The venerable Sweet Honey, a product of twenty-five years of association, are a catalyst for social reformation as much as a musical entity. Six African-American women (five singers and a sign-language interpreter) sing in the "19th Century congregational style"; their material is drawn from the spirituals, work songs, Western-African traditionals and gospel that accompanied the tribulations of their forebears, and then evolved to include so much more-jazz and blues. Their passion can be heard on the record's opener, "We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For," the lyrics of which are from a poem honoring South African women, and as such are a message of freedom to all women, and to all that are not free. "Chant," a round from central Africa, employs vocalized syllables; the imagination does the rest. "Motherless Chil'" uses the repetition typical of this form, as each line reinforces the next to its inevitable conclusion, for which their can be no argument. "Greed," a sermonette by Bernice Johnson Reagon, is an indictment of a decadent society. While the music of Sweet Honey is an acknowlegement of the human condition, it is also a prescription of hope and healing.

In This Land Patchwork Quilt This Is A Mean World When I Die Babethandaza Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah Fulani Chant Trying Times Now That The Buffalo Are Gone I Be Your Water Give Your Hands To Struggle See See Rider Colours (Women Should Be) A Priority

We can just see it now. Dissertations will be entitled, The Polyphony of Sweet Honey In The Rock, as presented in the year 1992. You would be better to enjoy this wonderful recording before the someone realizes that the creative spirit moving the women who have been the tributaries to the Sweet Honey institution has created something worthy of scholastic endeavor. No kidding. When five voices can sing different melodies and with them weave an overall tapestry of melody, something special is going on. For some reason this phenomena is particularly pronounced in this recording. Whether building to a belt it out crescendo as in the title track, delicately weaving an almost ethereal beauty as "Patchwork Quilt," or in the piece inspired by the Fulani people of Africa with its exotic feel, the interplay of voices is the real story of this magnificent music.

Disc 1 Ella's Song Wade In The Water Denko On Children Echo Joan Little Beatitudes Peace Sitting On Top Of The World More Than A Paycheck Crying For Freedom In South Africa They Are All Falling Around Me Mae Frances I'm Gon' Stand!!! Feel Something Drawing Me On In The Upper Room Seven Principles

Disc 2 Testimony Oughta Be A Woman Fannie Lou Hamer Meyango Run Mourner Run As Long As I Have Breath In My Body No Images Sometime The Gift Of Love Biko My Way State Of Emergency Cape Fear River Chant Rivers Of Babylon Stranger Blues Oh Death Breaths

In the spring of 1975 Sweet Honey was performing at a folk festival in Chicago when they were approached by a man who asked if they wanted to make a record. They did. A year later Bruce Kaplan of Flying Fish Records did indeed release the first Sweet Honey record. For a dozen years and eight records Flying Fish recorded and produced the music of Sweet Honey In The Rock. Bruce died in 1992. This set is dedicated to his memory and legacy. Bernice Johnson Reagon compiled and produced a two disc collection from the Flying Fish years. Seventeen tracks on each of the discs and a fine historical booklet make this the item to obtain if you don't have those eight albums and wish a definitive overview of those years which now are being considered 'the early years.'

I Got Shoes African Numbers 20 Tama Tama Tamali Little David Play on Your Harp African Numbers 12 Freedom Now Run Molly Run Young and Positive African Numbers 8 Deep Blue Sea Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me African Numbers 10 Somagwaza Freedom Train African Numbers 16 Down the Road I Be Going Look! Look! The Sun Woke Up! Spirit Lullaby

This is a great recording for children to be introduced to music of African cultures, gospel, both traditional and original African-American children's songs and supportive songs for growing youngsters. "I Got Shoes" could well be considered for very young children. A series of five "African Numbers" has vocal backgrounds of African texture on top of which are counted numbers in English (1-20), Japanese (1-12), Swahili (1-8), French (1-10) and Spanish (1-16). There is a rap song featuring a refrain by the Sweet Honey In The Rock Children's Chorus which deals with ethics on a young persons level. It is entitled "Young and Positive" and tells kids that they are the future and how to keep their sights set high. There is the archetypical Sweet Honey message in "Freedom Train." The whole recording is like a composition that ends with one of the most beautiful songs they have ever sung, "Spirit Lullaby." Sweet Honey is extraordinary!

Spiritual Ballad of the Broken Word A Tribute Come by Here Wanting Memories No Mirrors in My Nana's House In the Morning When I Rise Long Journey Home I'm Going to Get My Baby Out of Jail Sojourner's Battle Hymn Rest for the Weary Run on for a Long Time Stay Wodaabe Nights

It is 1993. Sweet Honey celebrate twenty years of passionate existence, yet it is just a beginning. Bernice Johnson Reagon says, "this group is a part of my living - not spare time, not what I do for a living, not a job, not a hobby - but the way I breathe, the how I make my way through my life and the life of my times." In light of this, the first song, "Spiritual," comes into startling clarity when we hear the oft repeated line, "Can't no one know at sunrise - How this day is going to end." A grand rap tribute to the history of the group celebrates the twenty years and twenty-one women who have been participants on the journey of struggle and joy which is Sweet Honey In The Rock. More than ever before, the rhythm and rhyme of this maturing institution is richly presented. Just listen to Wodaabe Nights and hear a great musical transposition from Africa to America.

So Glad I'm Here Cumbayah Down in the Valley Two by Two The Little Shekere The Little Red Caboose All For Freedom Juba Everybody Ought to Know Calypso Freedom Amen Ise Oluwa Meeting at the Building Johanna and Rhody Make New Friends Horse and Buggy Silvie Alunde and the Story of Ono

Bernice Johnson Reagon, the founder of Sweet Honey, is a scholar of African-American children's lore from the South, including songs, dances, games and stories. Two other members, Aisha Kahlil and Nitanju Bolade Casel, together conduct workshops and performances for youngsters. It's no surprise that these talanted singers produced this recording specifically for children. The songs include a one from the Georgia Sea Island Singers, one written by Leadbelly, a Yoruba song from Nigeria, traditional African-American songs and originals by the group. Each song is introduced with enough information to give a child an idea of what it's about. This is a grand way to introduce young people to other cultures. As in all of Sweet Honey's music, freedom for you, me and everyone is the most obvious message carried by song straight to the heart. The final track is a musically accompanied fantasy story, "Alunde And The Story Of Ono" in which the song "Alunde"(which means 'happy new day') is the most prized possession of the people of Ono. Thank you, Sweet Honey In The Rock!

We'll Understand It Better Bye and Bye Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee Hush Li'l Baby I've Got to Know When I Die Tomorrow Meyango Waters of Babylon (Rivers of Babylon) Feel Something Drawing on Me Try Jesus Leaning and Depending on the Lord In the Upper Room

"Feel Something Drawing Me On," the albums title song, comes from one of America's most distinguished Baptist preachers and songwriters, Reverend W. Herbert Brewster, whose gospel music was sung by Clara Ward and Mahalia Jackson. The entire recording is composed of gospel and spiritual music. Sweet Honey are exemplars of the African-American habit of modifying the staid hymns of European tradition with improvisation, which gives renewed life to songs that so often have had it squeezed out of them by mere repetitious formality. As you might suspect Sweet Honey find spiritual songs not only in formal church settings but in the lyrics of Woody Guthrie, in a funeral song from West Africa or wherever the human heart is coincident with song.

Beatitudes Run, Run, Mourner, Run Wade in the Water Drinking of the Wine Where Are the Keys to the Kingdom? Dream Songs of Love Letter to Dr. Martin Luther King Emergency Our Side Won Ode to the International Debt Are My Hands Clean? Denko My Lament Your Worries Ain't Like Mine Song of the Exiled Peace

What sets this recording apart from others of Sweet Honey is the fact that they develop the songs for much longer than in a studio recording. The singers stay with tunes as long as the spirit moves them. This allows the freedom of responding to the moment, which has always existed among the singers, to be shared with the audience. The audience is wildly enthusiastic. It's great to hear several of the introductions to the songs for Bernice Johnson Reagon is a brilliant teacher and her comments enhance our appreciation of the music immensely. There is a amazing piece of music/theater/song/rap/sound effect which must be heard, for any description beggars the reality of the presentation of a poem by Sonia Sanchez entitled "Letter To Dr. Martin Luther King." Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

Breaths Ella's Song Oughts Be a Woman Echo Biko Good News We All Everyone of Us More Than a Paycheck How Long? Alla That's All Right, But Sometime On Children Listen to the Rhythm I'm Goin' Stand Battle for My Life Study War No More Chile Your Waters Run Red Through Soweto If You Had Lived Azanian Freedom Song

Breaths combines two albums originally released on vinyl. Good News was a live recording while We All...Everyone Of Us was created in the studio. They were issued in l981 and 1983 respectively. The singers at this time were Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Evelyn Maria Harris, Aisha Kahlil, Bernice Johnson Reagon and Yasmeen Bheti Williams. On it you will find the original recording of "Breaths" which is one of the most often covered Sweet Honey arrangements ever. Another memorable song is "Oughta Be A Woman" which has a story. Bernice Johnson Reagon talked about her mama to the great poet, June Jordan. Sometime later June sent her the poetry which are the lyrics of the song. Bernice notes, "I think she just about got it right." This disc compiles sixty seven minutes of music and is a grand introduction to the group, for it captures the breadth and depth of the Sweet Honey spirit in 19 songs.

Mandiacapella Step By Step Deportees Moving On Stranger Blues Venceremos The Other Side No Images Gift Of Love Mae Frances Let Us Go Back To The Old Landmark Tomorrow

An African inspired improvisation, rich with ululations and glottal stops, opens 'The Other Side,' and immediately communicates a message that the music you are about to hear is rooted in another cultural evolution. We are presented with songs of rootlessness, the exploitation of the displaced, a hope to become a community, the difficult path of the stranger, revolution and finally emerge into love. At the end of our journey through this spirit of struggle we are exhorted to go back to the foundation of our existence in the service of the Lord. In the final song, "Tomorrow," the summary of a life journey through this veil of tears is presented with a hopeful melancholy.

Sweet Honey In The Rock (1976)

Sweet Honey in the Rock The Sun Will Never Go Down Dream Variations Let Us All Come Together Joanne Little Jesus Is My Only Friend Are there Any Rights I'm Entitled To? Going to See My Baby You Make My Day Pretty Hey Mann Doing Things Together Traveling Shoes

Their debut album includes some piano and violin accompaniment along with a cappella numbers. It also represents their sole flirtation with pop numbers.

Songbook

Continuum

Breaths Would You Harbor Me? We Are... Cum Ba Yah Young and Positive Inner Voices Run Denko Fulani Chant Dream Songs Of Love Wodaabe Nights Alunde Stay Prayer To The One Goin' To See My Baby Motherless Chil' Ella's Song Sometime I Remember, I Believe No More Auction Block

Long awaited, the 20 arrangements contained herein are a joyous testimony to the significance of this African-American female ensemble. Compiled and edited by Ysaye M Barnwell, whose bass register and poignant compositions are an integral component of the Sweet Honey character, the songbook also includes performance notes, a discography and several essays. The voice ranges vary, depending upon the arrangement, but are typically five part, and reach down into the bass clef, notated as SATB plus lead. Their songs are living and breathing entities, and the texture of their sound requires flexibility. As said of Sweet Honey in the foreword, by Harry Belafonte, "their melodies make the soul sing!"

Ysaye Barnwell: Singing in the African American Tradition

Rhythm Chants Chant To elegba Somagwaza Spirituals Three Spirituals Soon I Will Be Done Steal Away Balm In Gilead Congregational Hymns Sheep, Sheep, The Lord Is My Shepard; I'll Fly Away Sheep, Sheep The Lord Is My Shepard I'll Fly Away Gospel Gospel Songs Swing Down Chariot The Storm Is Passing Over Sing 'Til The Power Of The Lord Come Down I Feel Like Going On Freedom Songs We're Marching On To Freedom Land Dog Dog Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around Songs Of Resistance And Protest - South Africa South Africa Songs Babethandaza Senzenina Iza Kunyathel'I Africa Woyaya The Freedom Tide Is Rising

Anyone who loves to sing will be thrilled by the material on these four CDs! A founding member of Sweet Honey in the Rock teaches multiple part-singing – melodies, harmonies, rhythms and counter-melodies – to more than 20 inspiring songs: African chants, spirituals, gospel songs and anthems of the American Civil Rights and African freedom movements. Includes historical data and is perfect for individuals, choirs, church, camp and community groups who want to participate in this uplifting singing tradition.

DVD

Sweet Honey In The Rock: Singing For Freedom

So Glad I'm Here Down in the Valley Two by Two Freedom Medley: - This Little Light of Mine - We Shall Not Be Moved - Ain't Scared of Your Jails We Shall Overcome Young and Positive Juba Run Molly Run I Got Shoes Freedom Now

The group is known for wonderful live performances which this DVD captures admirably. Subtitled "A Concert For The Child in Each Of US" this entertaining video was filmed in Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco ands is a must-own for all fans of Sweet Honey. A motivational and empowering DVD for old and young alike.

Complete Sweet Honey Songlist

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