Bring Me Little Water Sylvie - Sweet Honey In The Rock - 1990 HD Upscale

Recorded in foyer of Sydney's spectacular art deco State Theatre for Australian TV during 1990 Australian tour. Sweet Honey in the Rock was founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon, who was teaching a vocal workshop with the Washington, D.C. Black Repertory Company. Reagon retired from the group in 2004. The name of the group was derived from a song, based on Psalm 81:16, which tells of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them. Johnson has said that this first song in which four women blended their voices was so powerful, that there was no question what the name of the group should be. The ensemble's most powerful messages are proclaimed through an enormous catalog of songs addressing the world's woes. They are currently occupied with immigration injustices, congressional greed and lack of compassion for hurting citizens, the environmental imbalance, racial issues and women's issues. Group Members in this video: Bernice Johnson Reagon, Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Evelyn Maria Harris.

[rachelkramer]

Rest in Power and Song, Bernice Johnson Reagon. May her memory be for a blessing.

[Chaoticsad]

My grandpa would sing me to sleep with this song and I’m just now knowing that this is an actual song. (For a Little context, my name is Sylvia)

[lovesingsus]

I can feel the intense heat in the cotton field and see the sweet child, Sylvie running with her bucket to help a parched and weary man, whenever I listen to this video and hear these brilliant women sing. To me it seems the man has immense dignity, saying, while toiling under the relentless sun, in the midst of the relentless system of slavery, "Bring me'a little water, Sylvie, every little once in a while." And the way Sylvie reassures him she's on the way with his water is just chain-breaking sweet beyond all words. No wonder this marvelous and sacred group is called Sweet Honey in the Rock! And thank you very much, Mark Sydow, for your explanation of the historical origin of that name. I just LOVE knowing about that.

[hereforit]

I remember watching this on PBS back in 1990. ❤

[ALinn-vrnl]

The lead, the bass, and everyone in between - absolutely beautiful, women. Thank you. So rich.

[funvideofan]

Singers: Nitanju Bolade Casel, Evelyn Maria Harris, Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Aisha Kahlil, Bernice Johnson Reagon. (From Left To Right)

[zachsample]

Had the pleasure of meeting and singing with Dr. Ysaye Barnwell and she is a true national treasure

[bechen]

These ladies are fabulous! I have seen them in concert twice and they are very enjoyable. I first became interested in their music after hearing their vocals in the awesome original broadcast (1990) of the Ken Burns PBS series "The Civil War." Go see them if they come to your city!! You won't be disappointed!!

[gracenurse]

I’m reading a book about the Michigan Womyns Music Festival and it’s beginnings… and Sweet Honey was the first established act that agreed to travel to perform there., even though they weren’t lesbians, themselves. But they believed in the collective cause and showed up, year after year : ) I find that so beautiful and uplifting.

[dancarm]

25 years on from hearing them sing this on the Folkways: a Vision Shared LP, it still has the same uplifting beauty.

[jfamily]

Spectacular! How I love the way they add words and under lying lines... "Bringing it fast as I can..." How LeadBelly would love to hear this! :)

[maryvaughn]

Luv that song anyway but oh my my my perfection goosebumps 😍

[timcook]

One of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite groups.

[em.]

The people who make fun of this do not realize what the song is about, what it means, or anything of that matter. And for the record on top of that, James Charles can sing. Now shut up and enjoy the damn song that depicts hard work and Sylvie running with the water to help out the men and women in the fields.

[richardwilliams]

OMG! Untold GLORY! Never even heard of this until today 12-20-14.  Love,  Richard

[generallypositive]

I just saw them live last night. Just as good as ever, uplifting.

[sceidna]

eee bring me little water noww bring me little water

[josephpray]

Heard this song a long time ago but I forgotten where I heard it from I always thought the lyrics were bring me a little water children but regardless the song touches your soul.

[MrRazorblade]

That lead singer has an amazing voice.

[sylviepiers]

Très belle interprétation ses genial