Mississippi Mass Choir - A City Built Four Square Aka They Got The Word Lyrics
Lyrics
They got the word (they got the word)
They got the word (they got the word)
Oh I'll (be at the great coronation)
It's gonna be held (in the middle of the air)
They got the word (they got the word)
I say yes to Jesus (they got the word)
That I'll meet them in that city (built four square)
They got the word (they got the word)
I say yes to Jesus, y'all (they got the word)
Hey, I'll be at the great (be at the great coronation)
It's gonna be held (in the middle of the air)
They got the word (they got the word)
My name in the written revival (they got the word)
That I'll meet them in that city (built four square)
Listen
There's a great celebration coming up
Filled with joy and gladness
The special guest attending
Will be all the children of the Lord
I've got a standing invitation
With all the Saints from every nation
We'll be there (be there)
Be there (Be there)
Be there (Be there)
Be there (Be there)
Be there when they crown him (crown him Lord of Lords)
Oh, they got the word (they got the word)
I say yes to Jesus (they got the word)
Oh, I'll be at the great (be at the great coronation)
It's gonna be held (in the middle of the air)
They got the word (they got the word)
I say yes, Lord (they got the word)
Yeah, we'll meet them in that city (built four square)
Come on choir
We are (Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Our father's children (Say it, y'all)
One (woah)
United (Yeah, hey)
In God, Jesus Christ (cause we are on our way, yeah)
We are on our way (hey, to that great)
To that great coronation
Where we'll (crown him Lord of Lords)
Oh, but you got to wait (wait til I get there)
I get there (wait til I get there)
Oh, you got to wait on him, y'all (wait til I get there)
I get there (wait til I get there)
You can't crown 'em (wait til I get there)
Not until I get there (wait til I get there)
Not until that curtain fall (curtains fall)
Not until that roll is called (roll is called)
Not until I left this world of sin (world of sin)
Woah, and the saints will go (marching in)
And then we'll (crown him)
Crown him (crown him)
Together (crown him)
Crown him (crown him)
Then we'll crown king Jesus (crown him Lord of Lords)
Hey, But we gonna have (Good time, have a good time)
At that great coronation (Good time, have a good time)
We gonna have a good time (Good time, have a good time)
When we get over to home (Good time, have a good time)
We gonna have a good time (Good time, have a good time)
Oh, what a meeting, y'all (Good time, have a good time)
Oh, what a greeting, yeah (Good time, have a good time)
We'll be with Jesus (Good time, have a good time)
We'll be with Jesus (Good time, have a good time)
We'll be with the King of Kings (Good time, have a good time)
We'll be with the Lord of Lords (Good time, have a good time)
We're gonna put on our lil choir robe (Good time, have a good time)
And die then (Good time, have a good time)
And we'll walk up and down the street (Good time, have a good time)
And we'll walk up and down the street (Good time, have a good time)
In that new Jerusalem land (Good time, have a good time)
We'll do a little feast too (Good time, have a good time)
We're gonna sit at the welcome table (Good time, have a good time)
We're gonna listen to our concert (Good time, have a good time)
By the end, the director [?] (Good time, have a good time)
And then, and then, and then (Good time, have a good time)
I'll do a little holy dance (Good time, have a good time)
I'll do a little holy (Good time, have a good time)
Hey (Good time, have a good time)
Gonna have a good time (Good time, have a good time)
No more death [?] (Good time, have a good time)
Video
The Mississippi Mass Choir - A City Built Four Square
Meaning & Inspiration
The Mississippi Mass Choir’s rendition of “A City Built Four Square,” also known as “They Got The Word,” released in 1999 on their album *Emmanuel (God With Us)*, is a powerful testament to unwavering faith and the joyous anticipation of eternal reward. The song’s genesis lies in the profound spiritual assurance that believers possess "the word" – the gospel of Jesus Christ and the divine promise of salvation. This message is central to the narrative, portraying a heavenly celebration, a "great coronation," where Christ will be enthroned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The lyrics paint vivid imagery of a celestial gathering, a city "built four square," a direct allusion to the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:16, signifying perfect order, divine proportion, and unwavering foundation.
The central theme revolves around the certainty of this future glory and the personal commitment to reaching it. The recurring phrase, "They got the word," acts as a spiritual anthem, signifying the shared understanding and conviction among believers about God’s plan. The act of saying "yes to Jesus" is presented not as a mere formality but as a profound act of dedication that secures one's place in this ultimate gathering. The song emphasizes the collective nature of this joyous event, with mention of "all the children of the Lord" and "saints from every nation," echoing the universal call to salvation found in scripture. The anticipation of this meeting, described as being "in the middle of the air," evokes a sense of otherworldly transition, akin to the biblical accounts of the rapture or the resurrection where believers are united with Christ.
Beyond the initial declaration of faith, the song delves into the personal journey of reaching this heavenly city. The verses about waiting until "I get there" and the "curtain fall" or "roll is called" speak to the earthly pilgrimage and the eventual departure from this world of sin. This waiting period is not one of passive idleness but of patient endurance and steadfast devotion, as referenced in Hebrews 10:36: "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." The crowning of Jesus as "Lord of Lords" is the ultimate purpose of this heavenly gathering, a declaration of His supreme authority and dominion, a truth proclaimed throughout scripture, notably in Philippians 2:10-11: "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
The latter part of the song transitions into an exuberant celebration of the "good time" that awaits in this eternal home. The imagery of putting on "choir robes" and walking "up and down the street" in the "new Jerusalem land" evokes the joy and peace described in Revelation. The mention of a "welcome table" and "concert" hints at the unending fellowship and divine artistry that will characterize eternity. The desire to "do a little holy dance" is a profound expression of uninhibited praise and worship, a natural outflow of experiencing God’s presence in its fullness. This joyous anticipation is rooted in the promise of a life free from suffering and death, as the lyrics suggest, a direct echo of Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." The Mississippi Mass Choir’s powerful delivery imbues "A City Built Four Square" with a palpable sense of hope and conviction, serving as a profound encouragement to believers to remain steadfast in their faith, assured of the glorious future that awaits.