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

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

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

Ready
I want to be ready
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

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

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

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


Notes

Ben Harper : This song came to me in one go.

Phrases such as 'I want to be ready to put on my long white robe', come from old delta blues and gospel. This song directly follows this tradition. It speaks about salvation to earn a better life after death. I don't say that I am ready, but that I want to be. I say that one's life here is a small part of a GREATER life. That's where the subtlety lies. It's fragile, but it's there. It's all a question of wisdom when faced with doubt.

I also used ideas taken from Funk, such as the bass line doubled by a Moog in 'I want to be ready'.


Also appears on

Live at the Apollo - album 2005 - Virgin Records America, Inc.