Ultralight Beam
Intro: Natalie Green, Samoria Green & The-Dream
Yes, GodWe don't want no devils in the house, God (Yes, Lord)We want the lord (Yes, Jesus)And that's it (Yes, God)Hallej— hand over Satan (Yes, Jesus)Jesus praise the Lord (Yes, God)Hallelujah, God (Yes, God; mm-mm)We don't want no devils in the house, God (Yes, Lord)We want the lord (Yes, Jesus; oh, oh)And that's it (Yes, God)Hallej— hand over Satan (Yes, Jesus)Jesus praise the Lord (Yes, God)Chorus: Kanye West & The-Dream
I'm tryna keep my faithWe on an ultralight beamWe on an ultralight beam, this is a God dreamThis is a God dream, this is everythingThis is everythingVerse 1: Kanye West
Deliver us serenity, deliver us peaceDeliver us love and we know we need itYou know we need it, you know we need itThat's why we need you now, oh, IPray for Paris, pray for the parentsThis is a God dreamThis is a God dream, this is a God dreamChorus: Kanye West & Choir, Kanye West
We on an ultralight beamWe on an ultralight beam, this is a God dreamThis is a God dream, this is everythingEverythingPost-Chorus: The-Dream, The-Dream & Choir
I'm tryna keep my faithBut I'm looking for moreSomewhere I can feel safeAnd end my holy warVerse 2: Kelly Price & Choir
So why send oppression, not blessings?Why, oh, why'd you do me wrong? (More)You persecute the weakBecause it makes you feel so strong (Safe)Don't have much strength to fightSo I look to the light (War)To make these wrongs turn rightHead up high, I look to the lightHey, 'cause I know that you'll make everything alrightAnd I know that you'll take good care of your childOh, no longer am afraid of the night'Cause I, I look to the lightBridge: Chance the Rapper
When they come for you, I will shield your nameI will field their questions, I will feel your painNo one can judgeThey don't, they don't knowThey don't knowVerse 3: Chance the Rapper
Foot on the Devil's neck 'til it drifted, PangaeaI'm moving all my family from Chatham to ZambiaTreat the demons just like PamI mean, I fuck with your friends, but damn, GinaI been this way since Arthur was anteaterNow they wanna hit me with the woo-wap, the bamTryna snap photos of familiaMy daughter look just like Sia, you can't see herYou can feel the lyrics, the spirit coming in brailleTubman of the underground, come and follow the trailI made "Sunday Candy", I'm never going to hellI met Kanye West, I'm never going to failHe said, "Let's do a good ass job with Chance 3I hear you gotta sell it to snatch the GrammyLet's make it so free and the bars so hardThat it ain't one gosh darn part you can't tweet"This is my part, nobody else speakThis is my part, nobody else speakThis little light of mine, glory be to God, yeahI'ma make sure that they go where they can't goIf they don't wanna ride, I'ma still give 'em raincoatsKnow what God said when he made the first rainbowJust throw this at the end if I'm too late for the intro, uhI'm just having fun with it, you know that a nigga was lostI laugh in my head 'cause I bet that my ex looking back like a pillar of salt, uh'Cause they'll flip the script on your ass like Wesley and SpikeYou cannot mess with the light, look at lil' Chano from 79thChorus: Kanye West, Kanye West & Choir
We on an ultralight beamWe on an ultralight beamThis is a God dreamThis is a God dreamThis is everything (Yes, God, Hallelujah)EverythingPost-Chorus: The-Dream, The-Dream & Choir
I'm tryna keep my faith (Yes, Jesus; and that's it)But I'm looking for moreSomewhere I can feel safeAnd end my holy warBridge: Kirk Franklin
Father, this prayer is for everyone that feels they're not good enoughThis prayer's for everybody that feel that they're too messed upFor everyone that feels they've said, "I'm sorry" too many timesYou can never go too far when you can't come back home againThat's why I needOutro: Choir
Faith, moreSafe, warWhat the song means
"Ultralight Beam" is a gospel-inflected prayer about holding onto faith when life feels heavy. The song opens with a church-style call and response, rejecting evil and asking for God's presence. The chorus repeats the image of being carried on an "ultralight beam," a light so pure it lifts the listener, and calls the whole experience a divine dream that means everything to the singer.
The mood moves from hope to unease and back again. The middle verses ask why suffering comes and describe how faith offers a way through, with a voice that looks to light instead of fear. Chance the Rapper's verse is far more playful and boastful, mixing scripture, street talk and pop references while still pointing back to protection and faith. The closing bridge, delivered by Kirk Franklin, speaks directly to people who feel unworthy or broken, insisting that no one is too far gone to come home.
The key images work as a single thread. The light stands for grace and guidance, the storm and the war stand for inner struggle, and the repeated call to "keep my faith" is the song's core message: faith is not a guarantee of ease, but a reason to keep going.
Key phrases explained
- ultralight beam
- a guiding light of grace that lifts the spirit — The central image of the song, describing divine light that feels weightless and uplifting.
- pillar of salt
- a person frozen in regret by looking back — A biblical image from Lot's wife, used playfully to describe an ex who regrets leaving.
- Tubman of the underground
- a secret guide who leads people to freedom — A reference to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, praising Chance as a protector.
- give 'em raincoats
- offer shelter even to those who refuse help — Chance's image of unconditional care, echoing the rainbow and the idea of grace for all.
- This little light of mine
- a traditional hymn about spreading faith and light — A gospel hymn quoted to link the song to a sense of shared spiritual witness.
Song info
- Release date
- 2016-02-14
- Album
- The Life of Pablo
- Written by
- Kanye West, The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, Chance the Rapper, MIKE DEAN
- Produced by
- Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Chance the Rapper, MIKE DEAN
- Featuring
- The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, Chance the Rapper
- Samples
- Natalie is Great – Natalie praying and she’s only 4 years old!
- Interpolates
- Kanye West – Ultralight Beam (Big Sean Version), JAŸ-Z – Otis, Kanye West – Late
Add a translation in your language · Request another language
