Her first album, Abbey Lincoln's Affair, A Story of a Girl in Love was released in 1956. Also that year Lincoln starred in the film The Girl Can't Help It, for which she famously wore a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe.
Lincoln sang on the 1960s landmark jazz civil rights recording, We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite in 1960 by jazz musician and Lincolns husband from 1962-1970, Max Roach. Especially since this album, Abbey Lincoln was connected to the political fight against racism in the United States.
She co-starred with Sidney Poitier and Beau Bridges in 1968's For Love of Ivy and received a 1969 Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. She also starred in the 1990 Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues.
In 2003, she received the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters Award.
Lincoln died on August 14, 2010 in Manhattan at the age of 80. Although no official cause of death was given, Lincoln had suffered deteriorating health following open heart surgery in 2007. She passed away in a Manhattan nursing home.
Down Here Below
Abbey Lincoln Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winds of change are blowing
Through the weary night.
I prayed my soul will find me
Shining in the morning light,
Down here below.
Down here below,
It's not so easy
Sometimes I'm really all at sea.
You made me when the world was new
And skies were blue
And I'm here because there's you.
They say I'll never see your face
And we're out there from your grace,
The one you fashioned with your hand,
And scattered all across the land,
But I am happy just to know
That you must go
Where I must go
For there are winds and scars to show
Livin' here down here below
Down here below,
The setting sun is shining
On the melancholy mood.
I hear the distant thunder
And the crying of the blue
Down where below
I'm yours alone
The only one to call my own
The only one I've ever known
Sometimes I see you
Standing there
Sometimes I'm freer.
And you are here,
Down here with me,
You made me just the way a hear,
Or less feeling, eyes to see
A strange embrace, a simple hand,
A spirit free that says: "I can",
And I'm happy just to know
That you will go
Where I must go,
For you send me this I know
Living here, down here below,
Living here, down here below,
Living here, down here below.
The lyrics in Abbey Lincoln’s song Down Here Below explore the human experience of living in a world that is both difficult and beautiful. She sings of the winds of change that blow through the long and weary night, and how she hopes to find her soul shining in the morning light. This articulation of hope and the desire for spiritual fulfilment is echoed throughout the song. Lincoln goes on to describe the difficulties of being human, noting that it is not easy just to be. The metaphor of being all at sea also deals with the notion of feeling lost, with no clear direction or purpose.
Lincoln acknowledges that she is living in a world that sometimes feels disconnected from the divine. She talks about how people say that they will never see God's face or that they are out of his grace. However, she finds comfort in knowing that God is still present and active, scattering his love across the land. The idea of separation from God is balanced by this notion of scattering, because it reminds us that divinity is everywhere, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Ultimately, the song acknowledges that there is a constant tension in life, the struggle between light and dark, good and bad. However, Lincoln finds solace in the idea that we are not alone in this struggle, that there is someone there looking out for us, and that we should take strength from this knowledge.
Line by Line Meaning
Down here below
In this world we inhabit
The winds of change are blowing
The world is constantly changing
Through the weary night.
Despite the difficulties and hardships we face
I prayed my soul will find me
I hope to find my true self
Shining in the morning light,
I want to find my purpose and be fulfilled
Down here below.
In this world we inhabit
It's not so easy
Living in this world is challenging
Just to be.
Simply existing can be difficult
Sometimes I'm really all at sea.
Sometimes I feel lost and out of my depth
You made me when the world was new
You are responsible for my creation
And skies were blue
During a time when life was simpler and happier
And I'm here because there's you.
I exist because of your actions
They say I'll never see your face
Some believe you are distant and inaccessible
And we're out there from your grace,
Some feel abandoned and unworthy of your love
The one you fashioned with your hand,
You created us with your own hands
And scattered all across the land,
We are spread throughout the world
But I am happy just to know
Knowing you exist makes me happy
That you must go
You have a journey to complete as well
Where I must go
We are both on a journey through life
For there are winds and scars to show
Life's challenges leave their mark on us
Livin' here down here below
Living in this world can be difficult
The setting sun is shining
Despite the challenges, there are beautiful moments
On the melancholy mood.
Even during sadness, there can be beauty
I hear the distant thunder
I am aware of the dangers and difficulties ahead
And the crying of the blue
The sadness and pain in the world
Down where below
In this world we inhabit
I'm yours alone
I belong to you
The only one to call my own
You are the only one who truly understands me
The only one I've ever known
You are my creator and guide
Sometimes I see you
Sometimes I feel your presence
Standing there
Watching over me
Sometimes I'm freer.
Sometimes I feel liberated and happy
And you are here,
You are always with me
Down here with me,
In this world we inhabit
You made me just the way a hear,
You made me the way I am
Or less feeling, eyes to see
I have the ability to experience and observe the world, but not always in the way I would like
A strange embrace, a simple hand,
Your love may seem mysterious or unconventional to me, but it is always present
A spirit free that says: "I can",
You have given me the freedom to make my own choices and follow my own path
And I'm happy just to know
Knowing you exist makes me happy
That you will go
You have a journey to complete
Where I must go,
We are both on a journey through life
For you send me this I know
You guide me and protect me along the way
Living here, down here below,
Living in this world can be difficult
Living here, down here below,
Living in this world can be difficult
Living here, down here below.
Living in this world can be difficult
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ABBEY LINCOLN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Billy Miller
This song brings me to my knees every time, rips off my mask and makes me cry like a babe (don't play it at a party or I'll have to hide). How can music do that? Her last take on it on "Abbey sings Abbey" before she passed was my first hearing. Long live, and loving Abbey down here. Thanks.
David Njuki
moves me to tears
jellyfishj1
could sing it like no one else
CBrown
YESSSSSSSS.
bluesmama5
Is this version on an album?