In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
People get ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
People get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's room for all
Among the 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 are thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne
So people get ready
For the train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank, you just thank the Lord
Yeah
Oh
Yeah
Oh
I'm getting ready
I'm getting ready
This time I'm ready
This time I'm ready
There's a train a-coming
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
People get ready
For the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
From coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's room for all
Among the 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 are thinner
Cause there's no hiding place
From the Kingdom's Throne
So people get ready
For the train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don't need no ticket
You just thank, you just thank the Lord
Yeah
Oh
Yeah
Oh
I'm getting ready
I'm getting ready
This time I'm ready
This time I'm ready
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
People Get Ready Lyrics as written by Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's a Spiritual or slave song - so it has 2 meanings: the first is the hope of freedom for the slaves travelling on the "underground railroad" to the promised land (the north). The second meaning is everyone's hope of heaven when we die.
Yup. Brian's right! This song was orignally penned and written by Curtis Mayfield. Many of his songs have a VERY deep meaning.
jeff beck who plays guitar on this song does such a great job, adds so much to the song.
Absolutely nothing to do with slavery. . .everything to do with faith and heaven. . .how do you explain the "diesels hummin'" and "picking up people from coast to coast"? Slavery was regional, not national. Plus, Jordan is a very spiritual place in the Bible (i.e. the River Jordan) and the rather direct reference to "Kingdom's throne"
Curtis Mayfield's version is FAR superior.
To gatorman:
Of course this song has to do with faith and heaven. Most slaves were (made) deeply religious, and still so are many of their African-American ancestors.
I place this song in the more recent past of America, in the 1960s. This song was inspired by racist violence, the assasination of John F. Kennedy, and the March on Washington. To me, it combines symbolism of all three kinds of treks: The underground railroad to freedom for the slaves, the march to Washington, and the ascent to heaven.
The religious imagery is the easiest to pick out, but there is more. I guess some religious people are like hammers: To them, everything looks like a nail.
Jeff Beck at guitar is stunning along with Rod Stewarts voice!...... Don't need no baggage! You just get on board!
This song is about Christ's return, but as I sit here, and listen to this song(Jeff Beck,Rod Stewart version),my Grandmother is dying. She is surrounded by her family(the last 4 days). The line "I'm getting ready", really hits home with me. I am pretty sure her hearing is still active, and I told her to "get on the train that is coming" I don't know if she heard me or not. It is comforting to me, the image of her waiting at the train station, to board the train to Heaven. So, in conclusion, this song is about Christ's return/and or ascending into Heaven. Just my 2 cents, and some rambling Steve