Coldplay – WE PRAY [ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, TINI]. Lyrics & Meaning

Coldplay [ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, TINI] – WE PRAY : A Universal Anthem of Hope

Ever have one of those moments? You know, when life gets a bit too heavy, the world feels a little chaotic, and all you can do is just look up and whisper a tiny wish into the universe for things to be okay? It’s not always a formal, on-your-knees kind of moment. Sometimes it’s a quiet thought while you’re driving, a silent hope for a friend who’s struggling, or just a deep breath and a wish for your own strength to get through the day.

That incredibly human, deeply personal feeling is exactly what Coldplay, alongside an absolute powerhouse team of collaborators—Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and TINI—have bottled up and turned into music with their song “WE PRAY”. This track isn’t just another tune; it’s a feeling, a shared experience put to a melody. Let’s dive in and really unpack the beautiful, layered story this song is telling us.

More Than a Song: The Global Prayer of “WE PRAY” by Coldplay and Friends

First off, let’s get one thing straight. When this song says “pray,” it’s talking about something much bigger than any single religion. It’s about the universal act of hoping, of wishing, of sending out positive energy for yourself and for others. It’s the raw, unfiltered desire for goodness, for peace, and for a little bit of light in the dark. The song opens with Chris Martin setting a beautifully humble and relatable tone.

He isn’t asking for fame or fortune. He’s praying for the simple, yet profound, things:

I pray that I don’t give up, pray that I do my best
Pray that I can lift up, pray my brother is blessed
Praying for enough, pray Virgilio wins
Pray I judge nobody and forgive me my sins

This opening is so powerful because it’s a mix of personal goals (“I do my best”) and selfless wishes for others (“my brother is blessed”). It’s a quiet acknowledgment of our own flaws and a hope to be better. It’s the kind of prayer we all make in our own way, every single day.

Lyrics: "WE PRAY" by Coldplay (ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, TINI)

Woah
Oh
And so we pray
Ooh

I pray that I don’t give up, pray that I do my best
Pray that I can lift up, pray my brother is blessed
Praying for enough, pray Virgilio wins
Pray I judge nobody and forgive me my sins
I pray we make it, pray my friend will pull through
Pray as I take it unto others, I do
Praying on your love, we pray with every breath
Though I’m in the valley of the shadow of death

And so we pray
For someone to come and show me the way
And so we pray
For some shelter and some records to play
And so we pray
We’ll be singing “Baraye”
Pray that we make it to the end of the day
And so we pray
I know somewhere that Heaven is waitin’
And so we pray
I know somewhere there’s something amazin’
And so we pray
I know somewhere we’ll feel no pain
Until we make it to the end of the day

I pray that love will shelter us from our fears
Oh, I pray you trust to let me wipe off your tears
Confront all the pain that we felt inside
With all the cards we been dealt in life
Pray I speak my truth and keep my sisters alive
So for the ones who parted seas (Ah, yeah)
For the ones who’s followin’ dreams (Ah, yeah)
For the ones who knocked down doors (Ah, yeah)
And allowed us to pass down keys (Ah, yeah)
Pray that we speak with a tongue that is honest
And that we understand how to be modest
Pray when she looks at herself in the mirror
She sees a queen, she sees a goddess

And so we pray
For someone to come and show me the way
And so we pray
For some shelter and some records to play
And so we pray
We’ll be singin’ “Baraye”
Pray that we make it to the end of the day
And so we pray
I know somewhere that Heaven is waitin’
And so we pray
I know somewhere there’s something amazin’
And so we pray
I know somewhere we’ll feel no pain
Until we make it to the end of the day

On my knees, I pray, as I sleep and wake
‘Cause inside my head is a frightening place
Keep a smiling face, only by this grace
‘Cause love’s more than I can take, hey

And so we pray
For someone to come and show me the way
And so we pray
For some shelter and some records to play
And so we pray
We’ll be singin’ “Baraye”
Till nobody’s in need and everybody can say (Oh)

La-la-la, la-la, la-la (La-la)
La-la-la, la-la, la-la (La-la-la, la)
La-la-la, la-la, la-la (Sing it to me)
La-la-la, la-la, we pray, we pray
La-la-la, la-la, la-la (I know somewhere that Heaven is waitin’, is waitin’)
La-la-la, la-la, la-la (I know somewhere there’s something amazin’, something amazin’)
La-la-la, la-la, la-la (Until we feel no pain)
La-la-la, la-la, we pray, we pray

La-la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la-la, la-la, we pray, we pray, we pray

A Tapestry of Voices, A Symphony of Hopes

What makes “WE PRAY” so incredibly special is how it weaves together different perspectives from its amazing guest artists. Each one brings their own unique flavor, their own personal prayer, to the table, creating a rich and diverse emotional landscape.

Little Simz: A Prayer for Strength and Truth

When Little Simz comes in, the energy shifts. Her verse is a powerful declaration of strength, truth, and empowerment, especially for women. She’s not just praying for herself; she’s praying for her “sisters” and for a world where women see their own power and worth.

Pray that we speak with a tongue that is honest
And that we understand how to be modest

Pray when she looks at herself in the mirror
She sees a queen, she sees a goddess

Seriously, how amazing is that? It’s a prayer that seeks to build others up, to help them recognize the royalty within themselves. It’s a call for authenticity and for a world that celebrates female strength.

Burna Boy: A Vulnerable Confession

Then we have Burna Boy, who brings a raw, emotional honesty to the track. He shares a moment of deep vulnerability that so many of us can connect with. His lines hit hard because they admit that sometimes, our own minds can be a difficult place to be.

On my knees, I pray, as I sleep and wake

‘Cause inside my head is a frightening place
Keep a smiling face, only by this grace

This is such a real and poignant confession. It’s a prayer for inner peace, for the strength to keep going even when you’re fighting internal battles. It’s a reminder that even when we put on a “smiling face,” we might be praying for the grace to just make it through.

The Global Heartbeat: Understanding the Chorus

The chorus is where all these individual prayers merge into one massive, collective voice of hope. It’s a plea for guidance, for comfort (“some shelter and some records to play”), and for the simple promise of seeing another day.

And so we pray
We’ll be singing “Baraye”
Pray that we make it to the end of the day

Now, that line about singing “Baraye” is incredibly significant. “Baraye” is a song by Iranian artist Shervin Hajipour that became the anthem for the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran. It’s a song about freedom, rights, and a better future. By including this reference, Coldplay and their collaborators elevate “WE PRAY” from a personal song to a global anthem of solidarity. It’s a prayer for everyone fighting for a better life, for freedom, and for their voices to be heard.

This song is a beautiful reminder that no matter where we are in the world, what we look like, or what we believe, we are all connected by our hopes and our dreams for a kinder, safer world. It teaches us that the simple act of wishing well for another person, of hoping for strength, or of dreaming of a better tomorrow is a powerful force that unites us all.

So, what do you think? “WE PRAY” is such a layered and emotional track, and its meaning can feel different for everyone. Did a particular artist’s verse resonate with you more? How do you interpret the song’s message of a global prayer? I’d love to hear your perspective on it!

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