Clarence Washington — Finna Get Blessed (1972)

[Intro — Tambourine, Bass, Handclaps] [Clarence, spoken] Somebody sneezin'? Finna get blessed. Somebody prayin'? Finna get blessed. Somebody fallin' in love tonight? Mmm-hmm... You already know. [Background Singers] (FINNA GET BLESSED!) [Verse 1 — Clarence] Saw my neighbor walking down the street Big ol' smile, new shoes on his feet He stopped real quick, went “ACHOO!” real loud I threw both hands up and told that crowd— “Bless you, brother!” He said, “Clarence, thank you, man!” I said, “Don't thank me yet... You finna get blessed AGAIN!” [Pre-Chorus — Group] If you're feeling good! (Finna get blessed!) If you're feeling fine! (Finna get blessed!) Got a little love And a little bit of time— [CHORUS — YOUTHFUL HIGH MOTOWN LEAD + GROUP HARMONIES] You sneezin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! You prayin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! Good love got you feelin' your best? FINNA GET BLESSED! Put your troubles down and give 'em a rest! FINNA GET BLESSED! Ooooh, baby! (Blessed! Blessed!) Everybody now! (FINNA GET BLESSED!) [Verse 2 — Clarence] Sunday morning, church bells ring Whole congregation started to sing Preacher said, “Clarence, bow your head” I said, “Reverend, I know what's ahead!” [Background Singers] (What's ahead?!) [Clarence] Finna get blessed! Later that night my baby came through Candles lit and that perfume too She looked at me and said, “What we finna do?” I said... Baby... [Music STOPS] You tryin' to make loooooove? [Beat] FINNA GET BLESSED! [Band explodes] [CHORUS — HIGH MOTOWN LEAD + FULL GROUP] You sneezin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! You prayin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! You tryin' to make loooove? FINNA GET BLESSED! Got your Sunday clothes on? FINNA GET BLESSED! Hands in the air! (FINNA GET BLESSED!) Love everywhere! (FINNA GET BLESSED!) Whatever you're doing, baby, Clarence knows best— YOU FINNA! GET! BLESSED! [Breakdown — Bass + Handclaps] [Clarence] Hold up. Lemme understand this... You sneeze? (GET BLESSED!) You pray? (GET BLESSED!) You fall in love? (GET BLESSED!) You come over Clarence's house... eleven-thirty at night... wearing that little red dress? [Background Singers] (CLARENCE!) [Clarence] What?! Maybe she came over to PRAY! [Background Singer] At eleven-thirty?! [Clarence] The Lord keeps LATE HOURS! [Drum fill] COME ON! [Final Chorus — BIG YOUTHFUL MOTOWN HARMONIES] You sneezin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! You prayin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! You lovin'? FINNA GET BLESSED! Everybody in the house—FINNA GET BLESSED! (Blessed! Blessed!) FINNA GET BLESSED! (Blessed! Blessed!) FINNA GET BLESSED! [Clarence] Morning, noon or night! (FINNA GET BLESSED!) Everything gonna be alright! (FINNA GET BLESSED!) [Outro — spoken] [Clarence] And if you sneeze twice... Well... That's two blessings. I don't make the rules. [Horn sting]