Mysterious Ways

"Mysterious Ways" 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 the characters First Lady (Tamela Mann), Reverend Avery (David Alan Grier), Nettie Harris (Halle Bailey), and the ensemble cast of the film. The song is a gospel-inspired number that introduces the main themes of the story, such as God's plan, suffering, hope, and resilience. It also incorporates elements of African music and culture, such as references to the lion's den and Noah's ark.

Lyrics[]

First Lady:
It's Sunday morning!

First Lady & Church Ladies:
So make a joyful noise! Unto the Lord!

First Lady:
When the King threw Daniel in the lion's den

Ensemble:
The good Lord works in mysterious ways

First Lady:
God sent a mighty angel, brought him out again

Ensemble:
The good Lord works, in mysterious ways

First Lady:
When God saw the wicked, He knew what to do
Said, Noah, bring the animals two by two

Ensemble:
Oh

First Lady:
'Cause I'm gonna keep your boat afloat for forty days

Ensemble:
Oh

First Lady:
Yeah, yeah

Ensemble:
The good Lord works in mysterious ways

First Lady:
Yes, He works

Ensemble:
Yes, He works. (Oh, He works!)

First Lady:
Oh, He works

Ensemble:
I know He works!

First Lady:
The good Lord works in mysterious ways

Ensemble 1:
Yes, He works

Ensemble 2:
I know He works

Ensemble 1:
Oh, He works

First Lady:
Oh, the Good Lord works...
Don't waste your time tryin' to
Rassle with your worldly woe

Ensemble:
The Good Lord works in mysterious ways

First Lady:
'Cause God's watchin' over you
Wherever you go, yeah!

Ensemble:
Yes, The Good Lord works in mysterious ways

First Lady:
If your poor back breakin' under all that weight

Ensemble:
Ooooh, ooooh

First Lady:
St.Peter's gonna lift it at the pearly gate

Ensemble:
Ooooh, ooooh

First Lady:
Let The Spirit walk beside you on your darkest days

Ensemble:
Ooooh, ooooh

First Lady:
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Ensemble:
The Good Lord works in mysterious ways

First Lady:
Oh yes, He works

Ensemble 1:
Yes, He works

Ensemble 2:
I know..

First Lady:
The Good Lord works

Ensemble 1:
Oh, He works

Ensemble 2:
He works

First Lady:
In mysterious ways

Ensemble 1:
Yes, He works

Ensemble 2:
I know He works

Ensemble 1:
Oh, He works

First Lady:
Ohhh, the Good Lord works in mysterious ways...

Ensemble 1:
God still works

First Lady:
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Ensemble 2:
He still works

First Lady:
OHHH

First Lady & Ensemble:
In mysterious ways (yay!) yaayyyy!

Reverend Avery:
None of us knows what the Lord's got planned for us, no sir
So I want you to stop your moanin', and quit your groanin'
Throw away your handkerchief!
And put your hand in his and follow where He leads
The Good Lord's walkin' witcha

Ensemble:
Walkin' witcha

Reverend Avery:
The Good Lord's talkin' witcha

Ensemble:
Talkin' witcha

Ensemble 1, 2 and 3:
God (God) God is singin' witcha

Reverand Avery:
And He is shoutin' witcha

Ensemble:
Shoutin' witcha

Reverend Avery:
Oh! Oh, yeah!

Ensemble:
Because the Good Lord works
in mysterious...

Reverend Avery:
In mysterious ways

Ensemble:
Ways!

Reverend Avery:
Yes! Oh, yeah

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh

The good Lord works in mysterious ways
The good Lord works in mysterious ways
Yes, He works (I know He works), oh, He works
Yes, He works (I know He works), oh, He works

Yes, He works, oh, He works
The good Lord works in mysterious ways, oh (Ooh)
The good Lord works (Ooh)
Don't waste your time tryin' to wrassle with your worldly woe
'Cause God's watchin' over you wherever you go, yeah
If your poor back breakin' under all that weight
St. Peter's gonna lift it at the pearly gates
Let the spirit walk beside you on your darkest days

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh

Oh, hey, He works
The good Lord works in mysterious ways, yeah
The good Lord works in mysterious ways

Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The good Lord works in mysterious ways (Yes, my God, He works)
Yes, He works (I know He works), oh, He works
He works in mysterious ways, yeah, woo
The good Lord works in mysterious ways
Yes, He works (I know He works), oh, He works
The good Lord works in mysterious ways
Yes, He works (I know He works), oh, He works

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