Lily of the Field

"Lily of the Field" is a song featured in the 2023 film The Color Purple with lyrics written by Stephen Bray, Allee Willis, and Brenda Russell. It is performed by Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris Johnson, the main protagonist of the story, who sings it after her abusive husband Mister (Colman Domingo) separates her from her beloved sister Nettie (Ciara) and tells her that she will never hear from her again. The song expresses Celie's despair and anger at God for taking away her only source of love and hope in life.

Lyrics[]

DEAR GOD!!!?
What you done with my sister?
How this play in your plan?
Won't you bring back my Nettie?
You the only one who can.

I never ask for anything but I’m askin' for this
If I'm really a lily of the field,
You will answer my prayer
Or you're no God at ALL!

v - e - d

Media
The Color Purple (soundtrack/video) • The Color Purple (2023) (soundtrack/video) Books: The Color Purple

Characters
Celie Harris Johnson • Nettie Harris • Shug Avery • Miss Millie • Sofia • Albert Johnson • Harpo Johnson • Mary Agnes • Mama • Ol' Mister Johnson • Samuel Avery • First Lady • Alphonso Harris • Henry Broadnax • Grady

Locations
Georgia • Africa • Memphis • Harpo's Juke Joint • Celie's Fancy Pants • Mister's House • Elmira Movie Theater • General Store • Deadwood Beach • Shug's House • Tennessee

Songs

1985 film: Makidada • Junk Bucket Blues • The Dirty Dozens • Miss Celie's Blues (Sister) • Don't Make Me No Never Mind (Slow Drag) • Heaven Belongs to You • Old Ship of Zion • Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Somethin' • Hot Lips • Scarification Chant and Katutoku Corinne • Body and Soul
2023 film: Huckleberry Pie • Mysterious Ways • She Be Mine • Keep It Movin' • Lily of the Field • Workin' • Too Beautiful for Words • Hell No! • Arkansas Blues • Shug Avery • Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) • Shake That Thing • Dear God - Shug • Prove It On Me Blues • (It Will Have To Do) Until The Real Thing Comes Along • Push Da Button • What About Love? • Agoo • Heaven Help This Heart Of Mine • My Faith Looks Up To Thee • Miss Celie's Pants • (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue • I'm Here • The Color Purple • Superpower (I)
Music From and Inspired By: Risk It All • No Love Lost • Lifeline • Finally • When I Can't Do Better • There Will Come a Day • Any Worse • You See Me • All I Need • 100 • Eternity • No Time • Girls