I first heard the music of Sweet Honey in the Rock as the introduction to a Sunday School class on loving my neighbor. The instructor asked us to listen to the lyrics of the song Would You Harbor Me? and to consider the limits of our own Christian love. Who are you personally willing to harbor? Who are you unwilling to harbor?
Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you?
Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you?Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew,
A heretic, convict, or spy?
Would you harbor a runaway woman or child,
A poet, a prophet, a king?
Would you harbor an exile or a refugee,
A person living with AIDS?
Would you harbor a Tubman, a Garret, a Truth,
A fugitive or a slave?
Would you harbor a Haitian, Korean, or Czech,
A lesbian or a gay?Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you
Personal reflection during that Sunday School class some twenty years ago brought me to the realization that I wanted to be a better Christian. The question, Would I harbor you? has served as a touchstone to bring me out of ire and pride when faced with someone I’d prefer to reject as an enemy. Would I harbor you? has helped me to see a brother or sister where initially I saw an enemy.
There are few female voices in the LDS worship experience. Most scriptural words are male. The Christian voice of Sweet Honey in the Rock infuses my LDS worship experience with powerful female voices. I listen to them on the way to church and carry their voices with me through the challenging moments.
Sweet Honey in the Rock are my favorite musical pathway to spirituality, meditation, and reflection. I listen to the album Sacred Ground most frequently, but have too many favorite songs to limit this post to just one.
Wade in the Water invites you to be an active participant in your healing. Get up. Wade into the water. Believe that God will trouble the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRpzEnq14Hs
We Are… echoes in my mind for days every time I listen to these evocative lyrics
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
We are
Mothers of courage
Fathers of time
Daughters of dust
Sons of great vision.
We are
Sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
Lovers of life and
the builders of nations.
We are
Seekers of truth
Keepers of faith
Makers of peace and
the wisdom of ages.
We are our grandmothers’ prayers.
We are our grandfathers’ dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.
For each child that’s born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.
WE ARE ONE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsEic8ORhqc
The Sweet Honey version of Motherless Child wrecks me. Ugly snot sobbing for my Heavenly Mother when I hear the lyrics, “I can hear her calling me.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1uTIVTwpVI
The song, There Were No Mirrors in my Nana’s House is a fun introduction to children of the wonder that is Sweet Honey in the Rock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD57KULeIgg
What are your favorite Sweet Honey in the Rock songs?
Thank you for posting this. I heard Sweet Honey in the Rock many years ago and loved the magneticism of their music and personalities. Now I want to listen to more of their powerful messsages through the medium I love best and share with others.
I followed all the links and thoroughly enjoyed this.
I haven’t listened to Sweet Honey in the Rock in years, and I had never heard any of these songs but “Wade in the Water” before. Thank you so much for this gift!