Walk in Jerusalem
Walking the Divine Path: Mahalia Jackson's Spiritual Journey
Lyrics
Way up, way up
Expressing elevation and emphasis, possibly symbolizing spiritual ascent.
Way up, way up
Repetition for emphasis, reinforcing the idea of ascending spiritually.
Way up, way up
Continuation of the emphasis on spiritual ascent and elevation.
Way up
Reiteration of the focus on ascending, possibly towards a higher spiritual plane.
High up in Jerusalem
Referencing being elevated or spiritually uplifted in Jerusalem.
When I die
Reference to the afterlife, anticipating death and what follows.
Way up, way up
Repeating the anticipation of being elevated in Jerusalem after death.
Way up, way up
-High up in Jerusalem
-When I die
-God knows I'm gonna
Acknowledgment that God is aware of the speaker's intention.
Walk in Jerusalem
Commitment to walk, talk, sing, and be in Jerusalem after death.
Talk in Jerusalem
-Sing in Jerusalem
-Be in Jerusalem
-High up in Jerusalem when I die
-Oh, be in Jerusalem
Expressing the desire to be in Jerusalem through singing, shouting, and praying.
Sing in Jerusalem
-Shout in Jerusalem
-Pray in Jerusalem
-High up in Jerusalem when I die
-Hmm, when I get down to the river
Imagery of the speaker reaching a river, symbolizing a crossing into the afterlife. The sword in the sand may symbolize readiness.
I'm gonna stick my sword in the sand
-For I spy the old ship of Zion
-She took a-many to the Promised Land
-Way over in Buelah
Reference to Buelah, a symbolic place without death, and the joyous atmosphere with singing and victory.
Where there ain't no dying there
-Where the saints shoutin' victory
-Oh, they singin', Lord, everywhere
-Way over in Buelah
Continuation of the description of Buelah and acknowledgment of departed friends in Glory.
I hear the voice of friends I've known
-They been gone on, gone on to Glory
-Well, well, a long time ago
-They been waitin'
Acknowledging the anticipation and waiting at the beautiful gates, expressing the speaker's hope to join them and sing eternally.
They been watchin'
-They been waitin' at the beautiful gates
-And one day I'm gonna meet them
-Oh, I'm gonna sing forever more
-Way over in Buelah
Further references to Buelah, with the Captain beckoning and calling God's children to the Promised Land.
I see the Captain beckoned to me
-Well, he's callin' all God's children
-Oh, to meet him on the Promised Land
-God knows I'm gonna
Reaffirmation of the commitment to walk, talk, sing, and be in Jerusalem after death.
Walk in Jerusalem
-Talk in Jerusalem
-Sing in Jerusalem
-Be in Jerusalem
-High up, oh, in Jerusalem
-When I die, oh yeah
-In Jerusalem
Reiteration of the desire to be in Jerusalem, emphasizing singing and shouting, with the anticipation of being high up in Jerusalem when the speaker dies.
Sing in Jerusalem
-Shout in Jerusalem
-Sing in Jerusalem
-High up, oh, in Jerusalem
-When I die
Final affirmation of the expectation to be in Jerusalem after death.
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