I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray

I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray is based on an African American spiritual by the same title. The haunting song expresses the feeling of being alone, whether literally or metaphorically. The singer talks about being alone in a valley, on their knees, possibly praying to God for salvation or freedom from the burdens they’ve been laden with. In the same vein of Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, there’s almost a pleading for the situation they’ve been tossed into and a longing question of why freedoms can be found for others but not for them.

However, the song gives hope to the singers. Though they may be unable to hear anyone praying for them, and they feel alone, the implication is that God walks with them. By the end of the song, the singer realizes that there’s nothing to worry about because their faith has guided them to the salvation that they were seeking:

“Hallelujah!
I couldn’t hear nobody pray
Troubles am over
I couldn’t hear nobody pray
In the Kingdom
I couldn’t hear nobody pray
With my Jesus
I couldn’t hear nobody pray
O Lord O way down yonder by myself
I couldn’t hear nobody pray”