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Higher Ground Lyrics

People keep on learnin'
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach the highest ground
Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
Cause it won't be too long
Oh no
I'm so glad that he let me try it again
Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground...Whew!
Till I reach my highest ground
No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no
Till I reach my highest ground
Don't you let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)
God is gonna show you higher ground
He's the only friend you have around
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Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

I love Stevie Wonder.

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

Pretty sure this song is about Jesus. Stevie Wonder is a Christian, and he's talking about being born again.

John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

"Powers keep on lyin While your people keep on dyin

The evil powers of the spiritual realm lie to people, then trick them into sinning and staying away from God, which then kills them (spiritually). James 1:15 "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

"World, keep on turnin Cause it won't be too long"

He's saying, it won't be too long until Jesus returns. We never know when the end is, but live life as though it is near. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 "For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

"I'm so darn glad he let me try it again Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin"

His last life, before he was born again, before he was given another chance by the grace of Jesus, he lived a whole world of sin. This has nothing to do with reincarnation. Christians often refer to themselves having died of who they once were, and then becoming alive in Jesus. There is a before and after. --->

Romans 6:6-8 "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."

A "higher ground" usually means heaven. He's gonna persevere, keep on trying until he dies and goes to heaven. Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

"Believers, keep on believin Sleepers, just stop sleepin Cause it won't be too long"

He's encouraging people to keep on believing in Jesus, but to those who don't to wake up, also for everyone to be prepared for his coming. Mark 13:32-33 "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."

And at the very end he says

"Don't you let nobody bring you down God is gonna show you a higher ground."

Song Meaning

Thank you for such a thorough and detailed analysis. I'd say that I'm "non religious", meaning I'm more non-ideological, but these belief systems have much wisdom and meaning. I'm in the USA and though I wasn't raised as religious, genetically and culturally, I've been very influenced by Christianity, when viewed that way. I'm going to look at what you wrote carefully now. The Taoist/Buddhist viewpoint always made more sense to me, and I like the practices it offers, but there's a lot to be learned from comparative religions.

It's really a shame that in the USA mainstream...

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

Every time I read the news I hear this song in my head...considering how timeless these lyrics are, it seems amazing that more people don't comment about them here. In fact, why is there no love for Stevie Wonder from people here?

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

Stevie rules! This is such a great song. Great message. You gotta do something because its going to end soon. You're not going to be around forever. So funky. One of the best songs of all time. I love rhcp and the cover is too good.

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

I'm in high school and I really enjoy Stevie Wonder. Such an amazing song with a powerful meaning.

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

More teens should listen to Stevie Wonder! They listen to a bunch of rap and pop on the radio, but don't appreciate where it all came from, they don't appreciate actual GOOD music. Stevie Wonder rocks

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

More young people like me should listen to Stevie Wonder. Or More older people should visit a site like this and leave a comment.

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

very true, but they rather comment on shit-emo bands like fall out boy. awesome song this, also like the cover by red hot chili peppers

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

This is one of the most spiritually uplifting songs I have ever heard. I remember hearing it for the first time in 1973.

Cover art for Higher Ground lyrics by Stevie Wonder

Stevie is my hero....rhcp cover is awesome also..