Lyrics
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Anticipation of a universal experience of spirituality and divine honor.
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Envisioning a collective narrative of praise through song.
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Expectation of joyous times in a heavenly realm.
Oh, glory hallelujah
Expressing excitement and reverence with "glory hallelujah."
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Warning of an impending judgment or reckoning in the morning.
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Advising preparation for the forthcoming event.
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Reiteration of the expectation of a joyful time in the afterlife.
Now listen, everybody 'cause I'm talkin' to you
Addressing the audience with a message about the Lord's guidance.
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
Emphasizing reliance on the Lord for support and guidance.
Ya better get ready 'cause I'm tellin' ya why
Encouraging readiness due to the imminent arrival of the Lord.
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
Highlighting the divine origin of the impending arrival.
Goin' down the valley, goin' one by one
Describing a procession down a valley, possibly symbolizing a spiritual journey.
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
Expectation of rewards based on one's actions in life.
How ya gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
Pondering the emotions felt when facing judgment for one's deeds.
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Repetition for emphasis on the themes of religion and glory.
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Reiteration of the anticipation of a collective spiritual experience.
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Restating the expectation of a shared narrative expressed through song.
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Reaffirmation of the belief in a joyous afterlife.
Oh, glory hallelujah
Expressing excitement and reverence with "glory hallelujah."
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Reiteration of the warning about an impending reckoning.
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Encouragement to prepare for the warned event.
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Reaffirmation of the expectation of a joyful afterlife.
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
Directing attention to the Holy Bible, particularly the book of Revelations.
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
Emphasizing the significance of understanding Revelations.
If you understand it and you can if you try
Encouraging efforts to comprehend the divine message.
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
Reiterating the imminent return of the Lord from his heavenly throne.
a-readin' in the Bible 'bout the things he said
Referencing passages in the Bible about the Lord's words.
He said he's comin' back again to raise the dead
Describing the Lord's promise to return and resurrect the dead.
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Posing a question about being among the chosen few.
Or will you make it through?
Raising the question of one's fate during this divine event.
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Repetition for emphasis on the themes of religion and glory.
Everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Reiteration of the anticipation of a collective spiritual experience.
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Restating the expectation of a shared narrative expressed through song.
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Reaffirmation of the belief in a joyous afterlife.
Oh, glory hallelujah
Expressing excitement and reverence with "glory hallelujah."
Brother, there's a reckon
Interruption or incomplete line, but possibly referring to a reckoning.
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