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Ben Harper — I Want To Be Ready
Album: The Will to Live
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 348









Released: 1997
Length: 4:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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How I am strong
Is to know what makes me weak
How I am found
Is to know just whom I seek
The gift of a blessing
The burden of a sin
Oh, turn, turn to him

I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe

Nailed across
From hand to hand
For the sin
Of every woman and man
And all upon his earth
Is all within his plan
And I know
This shall be my journey home

I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe

Ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe

Covet no silver
Oh, covet no gold
Reach your empty
Hands for him to hold
Up in his kingdom
Glory shall be proclaimed
Ah, sing the song
And praise his name

I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe

Ready
I want to be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe

Ready
I wanna be ready
I wanna be ready
Ready to put on my long, white robe
Comments (49)add comment
I really enjoy the intro of the drums into the tune. Yes I concur it's a bit repetitive but then chants and hymns tend to be that way. Thanks RP! 
Posted 6 years ago by reguru2112    [ Reply ]
A slightly different version, with dancing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bADQzyg00g
Posted 7 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
Doesn't sound like Ben was channeling his Jewish background with this song. I will have to give it a closer listening.
Posted 12 years ago by shmuelman    [ Reply ]
this album jump-started my musical perspective in high school.  in hindsight, i can't stand the message, but man...that was a good album.

Posted 13 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Sounds like he's ready, set and already gone.
 

Yeah, I got his point-over and over again!!...
Posted 13 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
EXELLENT - as usual!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Sounds like he's ready, set and already gone.
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
not bad, but not good either. bit repetitive and what does "long white robe" mean?
 

I believe that's the outfit for eternity in heaven, as described in Revelation 3:4-5.

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

Posted 14 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
Soulful....and I want to be ready too! 
Posted 14 years ago by rjewyo    [ Reply ]
I like it.  Thanks for ignoring the nay-sayers.  I like Ben Harper.  I don't care what he thinks of himself.  It's just nice music...  BTW:  KILLER playlist today...
Posted 14 years ago by egruben    [ Reply ]

He'll never be ready   {#Think}
B. H.'s problem is simple. He's awesome, but thinks he's better than he actually is..... It's obvious when he sits in with other musicians. Because then he tries so hard to be better than them, and only shows what a lameASS he really is.......

Great slide player though.....



Posted 14 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
not bad, but not good either. bit repetitive and what does "long white robe" mean?
Posted 14 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
 Odyzzeuz wrote:
I find Ben Harper utterly insufferable.
 
DITTO

Posted 14 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
Wait, what does he want to be ready for?
Posted 15 years ago by jgeyer    [ Reply ]
 physicsgenius wrote:
It's sad that so many people spend so much time obsessing over obsolete mythologies.
 

Where is the obsolete mythology in wanting to be ready to die when the time comes?
Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 Odyzzeuz wrote:


I find Ben Harper utterly insufferable.
 

same here.
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
turnergirl1of2 wrote:
Is it wrong that a gospel song strikes me as sexy?
That depends on who you ask.
Posted 15 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
joelsephus wrote:
I find his songs and voice to be a little pretentious and annoying.
I find Ben Harper utterly insufferable.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Ben Harper is a Holy Man!
Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
The Truth doesn't become obsolete.
Guess it aint the truth then!
Posted 16 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
It's sad that so many people spend so much time obsessing over obsolete mythologies.
The Truth doesn't become obsolete.
Posted 17 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Very nice transition from "Man in the Long Black Coat."
That Bill, he's a thinker.
Posted 17 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
It's sad that so many people spend so much time obsessing over obsolete mythologies.
Posted 17 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
When do we get to hear the new Ben Harper Bill?
Posted 18 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
I find his songs and voice to be a little pretentious and annoying.
Posted 18 years ago by joelsephus    [ Reply ]
Very nice transition from "Man in the Long Black Coat."
Posted 18 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Oh I wish I didn't know that bit of information. It is a verrrry sexy lil' tune. turnergirl1of2 wrote:
Is it wrong that a gospel song strikes me as sexy?
Posted 18 years ago by LadyLovelyLocks    [ Reply ]
Is it wrong that a gospel song strikes me as sexy?
Posted 18 years ago by turnergirl1of2    [ Reply ]
Mari wrote:
" I want to be ready ready to put on my long white robe Covet no silver covet no gold reach your empty hands for him to hold up in his kingdom glory shall be proclaimed sing the song and praise his name "
Posted 18 years ago by godspeed    [ Reply ]
great song. been waiting for the song "Ashes" from the same album. ben harper rules.
Posted 18 years ago by indeed    [ Reply ]
overrated. repetative.
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
phenomenal album from start to finish.
My favorite of his. He seemed less distracted.
Posted 18 years ago by Four-Five    [ Reply ]
glad to see some tunes from the will to live being spun the past few days. great cd! still haven't heard my favorite... glory and consequence.
Posted 18 years ago by mikedill    [ Reply ]
I thought this was Nina Simone
Posted 18 years ago by rascal420    [ Reply ]
ben harper is excellent. def. folk <-o<
Posted 18 years ago by bebe    [ Reply ]
1:18 pm - Long Black Coat (Joan Osborne) 1:22 pm - Long White Robe (Ben Harper) Some other suggestions for this set: Long Tall Texan (Lyle Lovett) Long Ride Home (Patty Griffin) Short Skirt Long Jacket (Cake) Short People (Randy Newman)
Posted 19 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
what a voice, heavenly, i need to see this man live!!
Posted 19 years ago by lukinman    [ Reply ]
I love Ben Harper's spitirual/gospel stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by stickittotheman    [ Reply ]
vasco wrote:
I think this is the first song I see without a 1 as the lowest rating!
Eh, and someone already messed it up!
Posted 19 years ago by supremo    [ Reply ]
Cool. In this he sings of his long white robe, and we just heard LONG BLACK COAT by JO,...always thinking...
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Soul music has its roots in southern gospel. You can feel it down deep when it is done right.
Posted 19 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
I think this is the first song I see without a 1 as the lowest rating!
Posted 19 years ago by vasco    [ Reply ]
Wonder whether some listeners might not know: This is a Southern U.S. spiritual from the black/colored gospel-spirituals tradition. I know that a lot of listeners are from other countries. If you like this, why not use Google to explore the genre? Also try the site www.ingeb.org, where American spirituals and their kin in other languages are being collected? Try Googling on some combo of "southern black spiritual."
Posted 19 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
touche! :D GolfRomeo wrote:
Not by San Francisco standards, anyway.... :-)
Posted 19 years ago by cgrow    [ Reply ]
cgrow wrote:
And I'm not weird or anything. ;)
Not by San Francisco standards, anyway.... :-)
Posted 19 years ago by GolfRomeo    [ Reply ]
I want to be ready! Ben whoa, you sing for my soul!
Posted 19 years ago by littleblueriver7    [ Reply ]
phenomenal album from start to finish.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
I have an extremely intense emotional connection with this song. It is a poetic journey for me. it takes me through innocent adventure memories involving young sex and dark walks through deep forests with Death. Stuff like that. I really really like it. And I'm not weird or anything. ;)
Posted 20 years ago by cgrow    [ Reply ]