In a music scene overpopulated by breathy girls and melismatic vamps, Cleveland is that rare thing - a woman who sings like a woman. A woman with grit and passion. A woman who’s not afraid to follow her longings into places both light and dark. Yes, she can roar and wail with maximum soul wattage (her voice inspires regular comparisons to locomotives and hurricanes). But she can also be soft, tender, sly, wistful, open-hearted, melancholy, wise, seductive, wry - all those facets that make a vocalist deep and compelling. And whether she’s delivering a regretful ballad like "Streams Of Mercy" or a mighty rocker like "The Blessing," she connects emotionally with a strength and clarity that would make Cingular jealous.
It’s that emotional connection - a combo of Cleveland’s natural wonder of a voice and fierce songwriting talent - that has been thrilling listeners since her debut in 1991. Blending rock, blues, gospel and folk with her distinct open-tuned guitar playing, she has forged an unmistakable sound that has won her two Grammy Awards, three Dove Awards, a place on countless year-end Top Ten lists and a legion of devoted fans.
Beyond her own career, Cleveland is also one of Nashville’s most in-demand session singers, having performed on over three hundred albums, for artists including Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Jars Of Clay, Don Henley, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Delbert McLinton, Etta James, Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Patty Smyth and Michael McDonald.
Her seventh album, Before The Daylight’s Shot, finds Cleveland at the height of her powers. Whether she’s singing about purpose ("Ready Or Not"), faith ("Deeper Walk"), fulfillment (a bluesy take on Stevie Wonder’s "Higher Ground") or enduring married love ("Twilight Hour"), there’s a clear-eyed maturity and depth of artistry that lifts her into an exclusive class.
She was the first ever artist to win the Best Gospel Rock Album award at the Grammys in 1996. She won the award again in 1999.
From:
Ashleycleveland.com
You Are There
Ashley Cleveland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are so many words that I can't hear
In the poverty of my soul
'Til the light pooled in my true love's eyes
And now I know
If I will crawl up out of this barren land
Then I will crawl up on my own
But I am not alone
Where I cannot lift my eyes, You are there,
Where I cannot find my way, You are there
Where I cannot hold my tongue, You are there
Where I have no prayer, You are there
It's a lot like snakes and ladders
I am swallowed every time
Trying to reach for something better
And find a peace that's mine
But I can't give myself a good talking to
And I can't fool this bitter pain
I'd like to quit this cave I'm walking through
But the path remains
Where I cannot lift my eyes, You are there
Where I cannot find my way, You are there
Where I cannot hold my tongue, You are there
Where I have no prayer, You are there
I want to talk about resolution
I want to tie up every loose string
Tear down the institutions
And lay hold of greater things
Oh, where can I run from Your presence?
Oh, You know my path so well
If I should rise up into the heavens
Or make my bed in hell
Where I cannot lift my eyes, You are there
Where I cannot find my way, You are there
Where I cannot hold my tongue, You are there
Where I have no prayer, You are there
Ashley Cleveland’s song “You Are There” is a powerful proclamation on the faithfulness of God. In the first verse, the song talks about how the singer was in a place of poverty in her soul, and how she was unable to hear words that could have helped her. However, all of this changed when she looked into the eyes of her true love, and saw the light pool in them. This moment helped her realize that she was not alone, and that if she were to crawl out of the barren land, she would be able to do it on her own. The second verse continues with the metaphor of snakes and ladders, showing how life can be tough at times, and that it feels like one is continuously swallowed every time they try to grab onto something better. But the singer acknowledges that she cannot do this on her own, and that she needs God’s help.
The chorus of the song is where the message really comes through. It states that no matter where one is, God is there with them. Even in moments when one cannot find their way or when they feel like they have no prayer left in them, God is still present. The bridge of the song shifts towards a note of resolution, where the singer says that she wants to tie up every loose string in her life, and that she wants to tear down the institutions that hold her back. She acknowledges that God knows her path so well, and that even if she were to go as high as the heavens or as low as hell, God would still be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
There are so many words that I can't hear
My soul is filled with poverty and there are many things I cannot hear.
'Til the light pooled in my true love's eyes
It wasn't until I saw the light in my true love's eyes that I began to understand.
And now I know
I finally understand now.
If I will crawl up out of this barren land
I must leave behind my spiritual emptiness.
Then I will crawl up on my own
I must learn to stand on my own two feet.
And I won't ride the shoulders of any man
I won't rely solely on others to carry me through life.
But I am not alone
Nevertheless, I have God by my side.
Where I cannot lift my eyes, You are there,
God is present even where I am not able to focus on anything around me.
Where I cannot find my way, You are there
God is always present even when I'm unsure of which direction to take.
Where I cannot hold my tongue, You are there
Even when I fail to control my tongue, God remains near.
Where I have no prayer, You are there
When I'm unable to find the words to pray, God is still there listening.
It's a lot like snakes and ladders
Life can be tricky and difficult, like a game of snakes and ladders.
I am swallowed every time
I often get caught up in the challenges of life.
Trying to reach for something better
Nevertheless, I strive to reach for a better way of living.
And find a peace that's mine
I hope to discover a sense of peace that belongs to me personally.
But I can't give myself a good talking to
I recognize that I can't always solve my problems on my own.
And I can't fool this bitter pain
I can't ignore or avoid the harsh realities of life.
I'd like to quit this cave I'm walking through
Sometimes I want to give up on my struggles and challenges.
But the path remains
However, my journey continues even when I consider quitting.
I want to talk about resolution
I desire to find solutions for my problems.
I want to tie up every loose string
I yearn to resolve every issue in my life.
Tear down the institutions
I want to leave behind any hindrance to my spiritual growth.
And lay hold of greater things
I want to embrace things that are more important and worthwhile.
Oh, where can I run from Your presence?
I wonder if there is anywhere I can go to get away from God.
Oh, You know my path so well
Yet, I know that God understands my journey more intimately than anyone else.
If I should rise up into the heavens
Even if I could ascend to the highest point imaginable.
Or make my bed in hell
Or even descend to the lowest point imaginable.
Contributed by Alice D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.