Released: September 23, 1997

Songwriter: Brian McKnight Brandon Barnes

Producer: Brian McKnight

[Verse 1]
All of these flowers for this friend of ours
It's such a shame
All of these people
All of them equally feel the same
There's solace in weeping
Looks like he's sleeping, the children say
They say he was ready, I hope he was ready
Is the prayer I'm praying

[Pre-Chorus]
When Gabriel begins to blow
Victory shall be mine (Shall be mine)
When the horses get ready to go
Angels won't leave me behind

[Chorus]
I'm gonna be, got to be ready
When the chariot comes
(When the chariot, when the chariot comes)
I'm gonna be, got to be ready
When the chariot comes
(Giddyup)

[Verse 2]
Over the prairie
The pallbearers carry and lay him to rest
Satan's a cheater, Christ is the teacher
And life's the test
Oh Lord, take me higher
Never liked fire, I can't stay here
I gotta get ready, gotta get ready
Time has drawn near

[Pre-Chorus]
When Gabriel begins to blow
Victory shall be mine
When the horses get ready to go
The angels won't leave me behind

[Chorus]
I'm gonna be, got to be ready
When the chariot comes
(When the chariot, when the chariot comes)
Said I'm gonna be, got to be ready
When the chariot comes

[Bridge]
As I lay me down to sleep
I pray my soul you keep
If I die before I wake
I pray my soul you'll take
'Cause I gotta be, gotta be ready when Jesus comes
When that chariot comes
Mmm, got to be, got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Said I've got to be, got to be ready
When the chariot comes

[Outro]
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes
Got to be ready, when the chariot comes

Brian McKnight

Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays eight instruments including piano, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet. He is one of the very few leggiero tenors in the pop genre. McKnight is perhaps most recognized for his strong falsetto and belting range. McKnight’s work has earned him 16 Grammy Awards nominations, though he has never won. Actually, he is currently tied with Snoop Dogg for the record of most Grammy nominations without a win.