“This Morning When I Rose,” performed by Mosie Burks with the Mississippi Mass Choir in 1999, is a powerful gospel anthem that radiates faith, gratitude, and spiritual conviction. Released as part of the choir’s repertoire and later featured on the 2005 compilation album Gospel Legends, the song is a traditional gospel piece characterized by its repetitive, declarative lyrics and Burks’ commanding vocal delivery. The track, composed by Carlton Reese and H.L. Parker, runs for approximately 6 minutes and 48 seconds and is driven by a call-and-response structure, a hallmark of African American gospel music. Its simple yet profound message centers on waking up with unwavering trust in God’s provision, guidance, and care. The song’s infectious energy, bolstered by the choir’s harmonious backing and Burks’ soul-stirring lead, has made it a staple in gospel music circles, often moving audiences to spontaneous worship.
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Inspiration and Context of the Song’s Creation
The creation of “This Morning When I Rose” is deeply rooted in the traditions of African American gospel music, which often draws from personal and communal experiences of faith, struggle, and triumph. While specific details about the song’s composition process are scarce, its lyrical content and style suggest it was inspired by the lived experiences of its composers, Carlton Reese and H.L. Parker, as well as the cultural and spiritual milieu of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Formed in 1988, the choir, under the leadership of Frank Williams, aimed to preserve and elevate traditional gospel music while reaching global audiences. By the late 1990s, when this song was recorded, the choir had already established itself as a powerhouse in gospel music, known for its dynamic performances and spiritually charged repertoire.
Mosie Burks, the lead soloist, brought a unique personal history to the song. Born in 1933 in Forest, Mississippi, Burks grew up in a large migrant farming family, picking cotton under harsh conditions. Her early exposure to gospel music through the Church of God in Christ and influences like Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe shaped her musical style. Burks joined the Mississippi Mass Choir in the mid-1990s, after initial reluctance, following the death of Frank Williams in 1993. Her involvement was facilitated by Williams’ widow, Katrina, who ensured Burks’ husband, Willie, could travel with the choir. This context of personal sacrifice, resilience, and faith likely informed Burks’ emotive performance, making “This Morning When I Rose” a reflection of her own journey from hardship to spiritual victory. The song’s release in 1999, during a period of renewed interest in traditional gospel, positioned it as both a testament to enduring faith and a celebration of communal worship.
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The broader socio-cultural context also played a role in the song’s creation. The late 1990s saw African American communities grappling with ongoing challenges, including economic disparities and social injustices. Gospel music, as it had for centuries, served as a source of hope and resistance. “This Morning When I Rose” embodies this spirit, offering a message of divine assurance that resonates with listeners facing personal or collective trials. Its repetitive structure and affirmations of God’s care mirror the oral traditions of spirituals, which historically provided solace and strength to enslaved and oppressed communities. The song’s release through Malaco Records, a label dedicated to preserving Southern gospel and soul, further underscores its roots in this rich cultural heritage.
Themes and Messages Conveyed Through the Song
The lyrical content of “This Morning When I Rose” is deceptively simple, yet it carries profound spiritual and emotional weight. The song is structured around three verses, each reinforcing the central theme of unwavering faith in God’s presence and provision. The repetitive refrain, “This morning when I rose, I didn’t have no doubt,” serves as both a personal testimony and a communal declaration, inviting listeners to share in the singer’s confidence. This repetition is not merely stylistic but a deliberate choice rooted in gospel tradition, where reiteration amplifies emotional impact and fosters collective participation. The lyrics, as documented on platforms like Lyrics.com and SongMeanings, emphasize trust in God’s ability to “take care of me,” “provide for me,” and “lead and guide me all the way.”
Faith and Assurance
At its core, the song is a bold proclamation of faith. The opening line of each verse establishes a moment of awakening—both literal and spiritual—where the singer rises with complete certainty in God’s faithfulness. This theme resonates deeply within the Christian tradition, particularly in African American churches, where morning is often symbolic of renewal and divine mercy. The phrase “I didn’t have no doubt” is a double negative that, in African American Vernacular English, intensifies the assertion of confidence. It reflects a faith so strong that it leaves no room for hesitation, even in the face of life’s uncertainties. Burks’ delivery, marked by her thunderous voice and passionate phrasing, amplifies this message, making it a rallying cry for believers.
Divine Provision and Guidance
The song’s lyrics repeatedly affirm God’s role as a provider and guide. Lines like “I know the Lord will take care of me” and “I know the Lord will provide for me” echo biblical promises, such as those found in Psalm 23 or Matthew 6:26, which assure believers of God’s care. For Burks, whose life was marked by financial struggles and personal losses—including the death of her mother at a young age and her first husband in 1984—these lyrics likely held personal significance. The song’s message would have also resonated with its audience, many of whom faced similar challenges. By framing God as a constant source of support, the song offers hope to those navigating economic hardship, health issues, or other trials. The phrase “lead and guide me all the way” further emphasizes God’s active role in directing the believer’s path, reinforcing the idea of a purposeful journey under divine oversight.
Joy and Spiritual Renewal
The second verse introduces the image of a “brand new day,” symbolizing fresh opportunities and divine grace. This imagery aligns with the gospel tradition of celebrating God’s mercies, which are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). The song’s upbeat tempo and the choir’s exuberant backing vocals enhance this sense of joy, creating an atmosphere of communal celebration. Burks’ performance, as noted in sources like uGospel.com, often moved audiences to stand and worship spontaneously, reflecting the song’s ability to inspire collective joy. The third verse’s mention of waking “with the Holy Ghost” adds a Pentecostal dimension, emphasizing the transformative power of spiritual infilling. This reference would have been particularly meaningful in the Church of God in Christ context, where Burks began her musical journey, and where the Holy Spirit’s presence is central to worship.
Resilience and Testimony
The song also serves as a testimony of resilience, a recurring theme in Burks’ life and the broader gospel tradition. By declaring her faith each morning, the singer implicitly acknowledges the challenges of the previous day or night. The act of rising without doubt becomes an act of defiance against adversity, whether personal, social, or spiritual. For Burks, who overcame a childhood of labor in Mississippi’s cotton fields, the loss of her parents, and decades of hard work as a maid and telephone operator, the song’s message is a reflection of her own story. This aligns with the broader narrative of the Mississippi Mass Choir, whose music often celebrates God’s ability to bring believers “from a mighty long way,” as Burks herself sang in another track. The song’s universal appeal lies in its ability to transform personal testimony into a collective anthem, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys of faith.
Communal Worship and Cultural Significance
The call-and-response structure of “This Morning When I Rose” fosters communal participation, a key feature of African American gospel music. The choir’s echoing responses to Burks’ lead lines create a dialogue that mirrors the interactive nature of church worship, where congregation and leader unite in praise. This structure also reflects the song’s cultural roots in African musical traditions, where communal singing strengthens social bonds. The song’s performance, as seen in YouTube videos from 2011 and 2012, showcases its ability to energize audiences, with Burks’ commanding presence and the choir’s dynamic harmonies creating a transcendent worship experience. Its inclusion in the 2004 Disney documentary America’s Heart & Soul further highlights its cultural significance, presenting Burks as an emblem of everyday heroism and spiritual strength.