“They Got the Word,” performed by Mosie Burks with the Mississippi Mass Choir in 1995, is a vibrant gospel song that celebrates the promise of eternal salvation and heavenly triumph as depicted in the Book of Revelation. Released as part of the choir’s album It Remains to Be Seen (1993), the track is a dynamic, up-tempo piece driven by Burks’ commanding lead vocals and the choir’s robust harmonies. The song, written by Jerry Mannery and others, runs for approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds and features a call-and-response structure, a hallmark of traditional African American gospel music. Its lyrics focus on the biblical vision of heaven, emphasizing the joy and peace awaiting believers who remain faithful. With its infectious rhythm and Burks’ anointed delivery, the song has become a beloved anthem in gospel music, often inspiring audiences to rise in worship, as noted by choir director Jerry Mannery.
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Inspiration and Context of the Song’s Creation
The creation of “They Got the Word” is deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural traditions of African American gospel music, particularly within the context of the Mississippi Mass Choir’s mission to preserve and promote traditional gospel. The song was recorded for the choir’s 1993 album It Remains to Be Seen, released by Malaco Records, a label renowned for its commitment to Southern gospel, blues, and soul. The Mississippi Mass Choir, founded in 1988 by Frank Williams, had by the mid-1990s established itself as a leading force in gospel music, known for its powerful performances and spiritually uplifting repertoire. The choice of Mosie Burks as the lead soloist was pivotal, given her ability to convey deep conviction and energy, as highlighted in sources like Malaco Records and uGospel.com.
Mosie Burks, born in 1933 in Forest, Mississippi, brought a wealth of personal experience to the song. Raised in a large migrant farming family, she endured significant hardships, including picking cotton as a child and raising her younger siblings after her mother’s death at age 40. Her early exposure to gospel music through the Church of God in Christ, coupled with influences from Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, shaped her musical style. Burks joined the Mississippi Mass Choir in the mid-1990s after initial reluctance, persuaded by Katrina Williams, the widow of founder Frank Williams, who died in 1993. Her husband, Willie, was allowed to travel with the choir, facilitating her participation. This personal context of sacrifice and faith likely informed Burks’ passionate performance, making “They Got the Word” a powerful expression of her spiritual journey.
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The song’s inspiration is explicitly tied to the Book of Revelation, particularly chapters 21 and 4, which describe the New Jerusalem and the worship of God in heaven. The lyrics reference a “standing invitation to heaven” and the act of crowning Jesus as “Lord of Lords,” drawing directly from these scriptural passages. The early 1990s, when the song was recorded, was a period of social and economic challenges for African American communities, including ongoing struggles against systemic inequality. Gospel music, as a historical source of hope and resistance, provided a medium for expressing divine assurance and communal strength. “They Got the Word” reflects this tradition, offering a message of eternal hope that resonates with listeners facing temporal trials. Its release through Malaco Records and its performance by the Mississippi Mass Choir, which toured globally, including for Pope John Paul II, underscores its role as a cultural and spiritual artifact.
Themes and Messages Conveyed Through the Song
The lyrical content of “They Got the Word” is a vivid celebration of Christian eschatology, focusing on the promise of heaven and the ultimate victory of the faithful. The song’s structure, with its repetitive refrains and call-and-response format, amplifies its emotional and spiritual impact, inviting communal participation. The lyrics, as documented in sources like YouTube lyric videos and 66 Assurance Way, center on the assurance of eternal salvation, the peace of heaven, and the glorification of Jesus. Burks’ dynamic delivery, combined with the choir’s spirited backing, creates an atmosphere of triumphant worship.
Eternal Salvation and Heavenly Promise
The central theme of “They Got the Word” is the assurance of eternal salvation for those who abide in God’s word. The song’s title and recurring phrase, “They got the word,” refer to the faithful who have received and embraced the gospel message, particularly the apocalyptic vision of Revelation 21. This chapter describes the New Jerusalem, where “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4). The lyrics reflect this promise, emphasizing that believers have a “standing invitation to heaven.” This message is particularly resonant in the African American gospel tradition, where the hope of heaven has historically provided solace amid earthly struggles. Burks’ powerful vocals, described as “thunderous with conviction” by uGospel.com, convey a certainty that inspires listeners to hold fast to their faith.
Triumph Over Earthly Trials
The song also underscores the temporary nature of earthly tribulations compared to the eternal triumphs awaiting in heaven. Lines like “nothing, nothing, nothing but peace” highlight the contrast between the challenges of life and the serenity of the afterlife. This theme would have been especially meaningful for Burks, whose life was marked by significant hardships, including poverty, loss, and labor-intensive work as a maid and telephone operator. Her performance transforms personal testimony into a universal message, encouraging listeners to persevere through their own trials. The song’s upbeat tempo and energetic delivery reinforce this sense of victory, creating a mood of celebration rather than lament. As noted in a 2017 blog post on 66 Assurance Way, the song’s “skillful leveraging” of Revelation’s imagery makes it a powerful reminder that “heavenly triumphs await” the faithful.
Worship and Glorification of Jesus
Another key theme is the glorification of Jesus as the “Lord of Lords,” a direct reference to Revelation 4 and 14, where the Lamb is worshipped in heaven. The lyrics call for believers to “crown him, crown him, crown him Lord of Lords,” reflecting the act of worship described in these scriptures. This focus on exalting Jesus aligns with the Mississippi Mass Choir’s mission to lead audiences in worship, as evidenced by their global performances. Burks’ anointed delivery, as described by choir director Jerry Mannery, often prompted audiences to stand spontaneously, a testament to the song’s ability to inspire reverence. The call-and-response structure, with the choir echoing Burks’ declarations, mirrors the communal worship of African American churches, where collective praise strengthens spiritual bonds.
Communal Faith and Anointing
The song’s performance style emphasizes communal faith, a cornerstone of gospel music. The call-and-response format, rooted in African musical traditions, fosters a sense of unity between the soloist and the choir, as well as between the performers and the audience. Burks’ “indisputably anointed” presence, as noted in a 2017 blog post, enhances this communal experience, her energy defying her age (she was in her 60s during the recording). The song’s reference to “peace” and “no more sorrow” resonates with the African American experience, where gospel music has long served as a source of collective resilience. The Mississippi Mass Choir’s international tours, including performances in South Africa, Japan, and Europe, spread this message globally, as documented by sources like Hindustan Times.
Resilience and Testimony
“They Got the Word” also serves as a testimony of resilience, both for Burks and the broader gospel community. The song’s triumphant tone reflects Burks’ own journey from a childhood of labor in Mississippi’s cotton fields to becoming a gospel icon. Her ability to perform with such intensity in her late 60s, as highlighted in a San Francisco Chronicle article from 2014, underscores her physical and spiritual strength. The lyrics’ focus on heaven as a reward for faithfulness mirrors Burks’ personal narrative of overcoming adversity through faith. This theme resonates with the choir’s audience, many of whom faced similar challenges. The song’s inclusion in the choir’s repertoire, alongside other Burks-led anthems like “This Morning When I Rose,” cements its role as a testament to God’s sustaining power.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
The song’s cultural significance lies in its ability to bridge personal and communal experiences through the lens of biblical hope. Its performance, as seen in official videos from 2023 on YouTube, showcases Burks’ ability to captivate audiences with her “craggy alto tones” and dynamic stage presence. The song’s message of eternal peace and divine triumph aligns with the Mississippi Mass Choir’s broader mission to uplift and inspire. Its roots in Revelation and its delivery through traditional gospel elements like call-and-response and vibrant harmonies make it a powerful artifact of African American spirituality. The song’s enduring popularity, as evidenced by fan reactions on X in 2025 following Burks’ passing, underscores its lasting impact, with listeners calling it a “gospel pioneer” anthem that “touched the world.”