Lyr Req: Be Ready When He Comes

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 08:44 AM

'Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: GUEST,rose
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 06:51 PM

Good day!
I'm looking for the lyrics of the song   "He's Ready to Come, Are you ready to go"

ty'

#################################

You are likely looking for the lyrics to 'He's Ready To Come and I'm Ready To Go' by Gene Reasoner. If so, you can hear the song on Youtube.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: send it on down lord let your holy
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 07:19 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: GUEST,rose
Date: 13 Nov 11 - 06:51 PM

Good day!
I'm looking for the lyrics of the song   "He's Ready to Come, Are you ready to go"

ty

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 09:08 PM

Janie,

I'm just another souls lost in the wilderness. Sometimes I stumble on something that helpful to others.

It's like brainstorming- any thought may unlock more info about a song that may help someone learn something about the song and more importantly- play the song.

Just keep posting,

TY

Richie

P.S. just having computer problems but I accessed youtube using google chrome- I posted Jasmes version in the next to last.

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Janie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 08:39 PM

Richie, don't know if this work any better for you, (still works fine for me, and I also tested the link in the clickifier to make sure it also worked for me), but here goes....

Skip James Be Ready When He Comes

I am aware that that Melvin Williams is a contempary gospel singer. Didn't find or listen to an mp3 of his version of the song, but the lyrics seemed very close to the lyrics I hear Skip James singing after two listen-throughs.    I'm not much a researcher or scholar. I get interested in some of the songs those of you who are much more knowledgable post about, start doing a little research. get excited, and post. It occurs to me that is probably pretty annoying, and it would be much more appropriate for me to simply read and learn.   

Sorry, and thanks to you, Q and a number of others for sharing both what you know and learn, and also sharing your discussions and explorations with the rest of us. It is what I love about Mudcat,

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 05:18 PM

Hi,

I've got to conclude that Meade didn't know there was a different but similar African-American spiritual. Even though the Teasley hymn is in the call-and-response style of the African-American church it's not the same as Skip James and must be considered a different but similar song.

Any thoughts?

Richie

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 11:09 AM

Clearly this is close to the same song. It was recorded in 1929 and Meade links this with Skiop James version- saying they are the same or similar. It was recorded by the Capitol City Four in 1938. Did Teasley arrange this from African-American sources?

Be Ready When He Comes- Daniel O. Teasley, 1896 (copyright 1904)
Sheet Music:http://books.google.com/books?id=LFUFNc-hGCEC&pg=PA146&dq=Be+Ready+When+He+Comes+Teasley&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html&cd=1

Would you flee from sin and serve the Lord?
Be ready when He comes;
He will soon appear with His reward,
Be ready when He comes.

CHORUS: Be ready (when He comes),
Be ready,(when He comes)
Be ready when the bridegroom comes;
Be ready (when He comes),
Be ready,(when He comes),
Be ready when He comes.

It is not His will that you be lost,
Be ready when He comes;
Would you save your soul at any cost?
Be ready when He comes. cHORUS:

Do you know the end of time is near?
Be ready when He comes;
Can you live and die in sin's career?
Be ready when He comes.

There is awful danger in delay,
Be ready when He comes;
Will you cast your only hope away?
Be ready when He comes.

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 10:47 AM

Please correct verse above:

Don't let Him catch you like He did befo',

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 10:46 AM

BE READY WHEN HE COMES- Skip James 1931. Two verses and a chorus that is usually repeated. The second verse was collected in Louisiana.

CHORUS: Be ready when he comes,
Be ready when he comes,
Be ready when he comes, oh Lord
He's coming again so soon.

VERSE: Jesus is coming in this world of sin,
Comin' to judge the hearts of men
Don't let Him catch your heart filled with sin,
He's coming again so soon. CHORUS 2X:

VERSE: Don't let Him catch He did befo',
Skippin' and dancin' on de ballroom flo'.
Raisin' up judgement everywhere you go,
He's coming again so soon. CHORUS 2X:

VERSE: Don't let Him catch He did befo',
Skippin' and dancin' on dis ballroom flo'.
Raisin' up judgement everywhere you go,
He's coming again so soon. CHORUS 2X

VERSE: Jesus is coming in this world of sin,
Comin' to judge the hearts of men
Don't let Him catch your heart filled with sin,
Cause He's coming again so soon. CHORUS 2X:

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usZSio_jC40

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 09:38 AM

Hi Janie,

This is a typical modern church version with call and response and verbal/vocal ad libs by leader.

I can't get the only skip james "be ready" on youtube to play. Anyone have a link- maybe I'm missing something.

Any version of "Coming Again So Soon"?

Richie

Subject: RE: lyr req: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Janie
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 12:37 AM

I think this is close to, but it is not exactly the Skip James version. Found it on Gospel lyrics, Black Gospel lyrics. Done as call and response. (Richie, I didn't have any trouble getting the Skip James video to play on Youtube. Might it be worth trying again?

Be Ready
Melvin Williams
Never Seen Your Face

(L)
So be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Said I don't know how
And I don't know when
One thing for sure
He's coming back again
So be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Ow… Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Let me say one thing
He might come as a robbery by day
He might come like a theft in the night
So don't get caught with your work undone
Skeleton in the close, clean them out
You better get right
Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Do-do do be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Said I don't know how
And I don't know when
One thing for sure
He's coming back again
So be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Ow…Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Ow…Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
D, d, do, do be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
One more verse for me now
He might come as a robbery by day
He might just come like a theft in the night
So don't get caught with your work undone
Skeleton in the close, clean them out
You better get right
Be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Do-do be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Children be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

(L)
Ow… be ready

(C)
Be ready when He comes

Vamp

(L)
You better be ready

(C)
Be ready children
Children be ready

(L)
Be ready
Be ready
Children be ready
Get ready

(C)
Get ready

(L)
Get ready
Get ready
Better get ready
Time ain't long
Don't let it creep upon you now
So get ready
Get ready
Be ready

(C)
Be ready children
Children be ready

(L)
Children be ready
You better get ready
You better get ready
Don't let'em catch you
With your work undone
Get ready
Get ready
Get ready
Better get ready
Get ready
Better, better, better, better,
Get ready
Yeah…
Do that ah
Be there be ready
Be ready
Be ready
Be ready
Ow…
Can't you see
The signs of the time
People starving, homeless robbing,
Raping, killing, stealing, dope and smoking
Time ain't long
Be ready
Be ready
You better be ready
God's coming back
For His people
Be ready
Be ready
He's gone separate
The right from wrong
He's gone separate
Weak from the strong
Be ready
Be ready
Get your business fix
Get your business fix
Get your house in order
Get your house in order

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 11:54 PM

I think they sang that one, recently, on PHC, Richie. Really nice and so easy to sing-along to...

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 11:34 PM

Here's a bluegrass version that's currently out:

HE'S COMING AGAIN SO SOON-
Robin and Linda Williams "Good News"

I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
He's comin' again so soon

Now don't let him catch you in a hypocrite's shoes
Now don't let him catch you in a hypocrite's shoes
Now don't let him catch you in a hypocrite's shoes
He's comin' again so soon

I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
He's comin' again so soon

Don't let him catch you with a lying tongue
Don't let him catch you with a lying tongue
He's comin' again so soon

I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
He's comin' again so soon

Don't let him catch you with a cold cold heart
Don't let him catch you with a cold cold heart
He's comin' again so soon

I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
He's comin' again so soon

I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
I want to be ready when he comes
He's comin' again so soon

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 11:13 PM

Q,

There's a revival hymn in 1896 that is a different song same title.

The first song you posted is "Are You Ready" one I've been looking for, it seems like a different song. There are many versions of "Coming Again So Soon" which is another title of the song we're looking for.

Here's the earliest version I've found from a 1929 book by a former slave:

"Levi Branham, 1852- My Life and Travels" Dalton, Ga.: A.J. Showalter Co. Printers and Publishers, 1929:

Reverend J. C. Murray, of Dalton, Georgia, came to us in 1922. He seems to be a very faithful church worker. I think he is holding his own very well. He seems to be at his best when he sings, "Be Ready When He comes Again."

BE READY WHEN HE COMES AGAIN

Be ready when He comes again,
Be ready when He comes again;
Be ready when He comes again--
He is coming again so soon.

Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
He is coming again so soon.

Be praying when He comes again,
Be praying when He comes again,
Be praying when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.

Be watching when He comes again,
Be watching when He comes again,
Be watching when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.

Oh Lord, when He comes again,
Oh Lord, when He comes again,
Oh Lord, when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.

Don't let Him catch you on the ballroom floor,
Don't let Him catch you on the ball--room floor,
Don't let Him catch you on the ball--room floor,
He is coming again so soon.

Don't let Him catch you with a lyeing tongue,
Don't let Him catch you with a lyeing tongue,
Don't let Him catch you with a lyeing tongue,
He is coming again so soon."

Oh Lord when He comes again,
Oh Lord when He comes again,
Oh Lord when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 10:53 PM

Chorus to another version-

Are you ready (are you ready)
Are you ready (are you ready)
Are you ready for the opening skies?
Are you ready (are you ready)
Are you ready (are you ready)
Are you ready for that glad surprise?

Then there is the Hoffman-Sankey version (Cyberhymnal)

The Lord is coming by and by,
Be ready when He comes;
He comes from His fair home on high,
Be ready when he comes;
He is the Lord our Righteousness,
And comes His chosen ones to bless,
And at His father's throne confess;
Be ready when He comes.

Will you be ready when the Bridegroom comes?
etc.

One hymn sung in Black churches-

We Shall See the King

There's a blessed time coming, coming soon,
It may be evening morning or at noon,
The wedding of the bride, united with the Groom,
We shall see the King when He comes.

2
Are you ready should the Savior call today? (call today)
Would Jesus say, "Well done" or "Go away"? (Go away)
My home is for the pure, the vile can never stay.
We shall see the King when He comes.
etc.
--------
Will your soul be ready for mansions bright?
etc.

Oh, be ready when He comes,
He will soon appear with His reward,
etc.

There seem to be many, old and new.

And the reverse- You'd best be ready when the horned one comes (I think this is 'white' only).

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 10:19 PM

BE READY WHEN HE COMES
From Shreveport Sounds in Black & White- By Kip Lornell, Tracey E. W. Laird

VERSE: Oh don't let Him find you lak He did before,
Fiddlin' and dancin' on de ballroon flo'.
Raisin' confusion every where you go,
He's comin', yes, so soon.

CHORUS: Be ready when he comes,
Be ready when he comes, oh Lord
Be ready when he comes,
He's comin', yes, so soon.

Oh be lak Nora in de days of ole,
Build yo' a house for to shelter fo' yo' soul
Don't let it be neither silver nor gold
He's comin', yes, so soon.

CHORUS:

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 09:22 PM

Another title is: "He's Coming Again So Soon" and is in the Tartt collection.

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:15 PM

The chorus to James version is:

Be ready when he comes.
Be ready when he comes.
Be ready when he comes.
Oh, Lord, he's coming again so soon.

which is the version I know. There's also some info some info and an iterview with Joe Carter on-line.

Anyone have complete lyrics?

Richie

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 07:49 PM

Sorry for the sloppy post. I saw Skip James version on youtube but I couldn't get it to play. I know there are some African-American spiritual version on youtube.

There's also a hymn tune from Daniel O. Teasley in 1896 that looks like a spiritual.

I think Scaborough had a version titled: Oh, Be Ready When the Train Comes In.

I'll post some versions later. Anyone have anything on this?

Richie

Subject: RE: Be Ready When He Comes
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 04:32 PM

It's a shame that 'He' isn't coming. Oh well....

Subject: Be Ready When He Comes
From: Richie
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 04:24 PM

Hi,

Anyone have Skip James lyrics to: Be ready When he comes?

Any onther version?

BE READY WHEN HE COMES- Odum and Johnson in The Negro and His Songs
quote a song entitled, "My Lord's Comin' Again". 1 Be ready when he comes, ...

Rciohie