Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time and author Jim Adams from A Unique Title For Me is our current guest host. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.
This week’s theme is “Acquire/Collect/Gather/Secure.”
~~~~~~~~~~
While I usually have more than a few options for SLS posts, Harvest for the World was my first and only choice for this week’s prompt.
However, I chose the cover by Vanessa Williams from her 2005 album, Everlasting Love, instead of the original by the Isley Brothers from their 1976 album of the same name.
The original version helped spur the album on to half a million copies sold in less than three weeks, making it one of the fastest selling albums in history. I prefer Vanessa’s more contemporary upbeat version… and I love her voice!
Sadly, the socially conscious song is still as relevant today as it was almost fifty years ago. The planet is a mess. Everyone is hurting and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Now, more than ever, we need a Harvest for the World.
FUN FACTS:
- Released in May of 1976, Harvest for the World was the fourteenth studio album for the Isley Brothers.
- Not released as a single, Vanessa’s cover still receives airplay on satellite radio.
- Except for the final track, Everlasting Love was a compilation of covers of popular soul songs from the 70s.
Two of the original members of the Isley Brothers Trio, Ronald – 79, and Rudolph – 81, survive and live is St Louis, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois, respectively. Eldest brother, O’Kelly, suffered a fatal heart attack in 1986 at the age of 48.
57-year-old Williams lives with her third husband, businessman Jim Skrip, in Chappaqua, New York.
Enjoy!
See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for FeliciaDenise.com.
~~~
Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
Harvest for the World
All babies together Everyone a seed Half of us are satisfied Half of us in need Love's bountiful in us Tarnished by our greed Oh, when will there be A harvest for the world Yeah, yeah, yeah A nation planted So concerned with gain As the seasons come and go Greater grows the pain And far too many Feelin' the strain Oh, when will there be A harvest for the world Yeah, yeah, oh, oh When will there be Gather every man Gather every woman Celebrate your lives Give thanks for your children Gather everyone (Gather everyone) Gather all together (Gather all together) Overlookin' none (Overlookin' none) Hopin' life gets better for the world Dress me up for battle When all I want is peace Those of us who pay the price Come home with the least And nation after nation Turnin' into beasts Oh, when will there be A harvest for the world For the world For the world For the world When will there be a harvest When will there be a harvest When will there be a harvest I wanna know right now When will there be a harvest {Harvest for the world} When will there be a harvest {Harvest for the world} When will there be a harvest {Harvest for the world} A harvest, a harvest for the world
Nesie's Place 
I’ve always liked her voice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the lyrics. For some reason there was no sound, and both the Youtube volume and my computer volume were turned up and all other songs so far on the SLS played. Mysterious! Great choice, Nesie, whether I can hear it here or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry the sound didn’t work for you, Li. Technology can curse us as much as bless us. Many thanks for stopping and commenting anyway. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, Nesie. We are at the whim of the machine. You are welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. Wonderful choice and beautiful lyrics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it, Maggie. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love her! You could have actually done this for Same, Different last week since the album names were the same. Besides that, the same crap today as it was 50, 100, 200 years ago and beyond. I do love the line “Celebrate your lives…” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lisa! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this song! You’re right. Same problems today as 50 years ago. Why will we never learn? 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because…humans. 😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gather every man and woman, because the planet is definitely in trouble. Chappaqua, New York is supposed to be a very lovely place, but I have never been there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh 50years and nothing has changed…
Great song I loved the original , I have not heard this version by Vanessa Williams but I am impressed it really quite different! Well done great choice 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Willow. 😊
LikeLike
😣💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great choice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person