Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, RnB, and reggae. Harper's blend of groove-laden funky soul and folky handcrafted acoustics helped him to gain cult status during the course of the 1990s and widespread attention toward the end of the decade. Harper combines elements of classic folk singers, blues revivalists and jam bands and is embraced by critics and college kids alike. Harper's body of work sells consistently and he tours constantly, building a solid, dedicated fan base.
Harper began playing guitar as a child in his hometown of Claremont, California (in California's Inland Empire). He eventually specialized in the acoustic slide guitar (Weissenborn guitars). As a young man, he recorded an LP (Pleasure and Pain) with fellow folk guitarist Tom Freund. After this limited edition record, Harper got a record deal with Virgin Records, who released his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World (1994).
This was followed by the incendiary Fight For Your Mind (1995) which became a college radio favorite and generated an abundance of songs which still fill his set list to this day.
In 1999 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Harper met Jack Johnson, who was unknown at the time and had not recorded. Harper obtained a demo tape of 12 of Johnson's songs that he forwarded to his producer, J.P. Plunier, with whom Johnson recorded his first album.
From early on in his career, his music received more attention in Europe than it did in his home country. While he was a well-known and respected figure in the States, in countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and The Netherlands he was a star, receiving a great deal of airplay and critical acclaim. His popularity in Europe is such that he was French Rolling Stone Magazine's "Artist of the Year" (Artiste De L'Année) in 2003, and his tour that year for Diamonds on the Inside played to packed arenas across the continent.
In 2004, Harper recorded the album "There Will Be a Light " as the collaboration Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
In October 2004, Harper participated in the Vote for Change concert tour organised to benefit Moveon.org and encourage people in the swing states to vote during the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
Over the summer of 2005, when the Zooma tour scheduled with Trey Anastasio and various side stage performers was cancelled, Harper took on a tour of more private clubs/venues such as the Avalon Ballroom in Boston, the Tabernacle in Atlanta, and a full-band acoustic performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This series of concerts saw the debut of a number of new Harper songs, such as "Get It Like You Like It" and "Dressed In Black."
In 2006, Harper released the double album Both Sides of the Gun which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts.
Next Harper did a worldwide tour, with support from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the North American leg.
In 2007, Harper released the album Lifeline, recorded in Paris just after his tour.
In 2009, Harper recorded the album "White Lies for Dark Times", as the collaboration Ben Harper and Relentless7.
In 2014, Harper recorded the album "Childhood Home" as the collaboration Ben & Ellen Harper.
In 2018, Harper recorded the album "No Mercy in This Land" as the collaboration Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite. At the 40th Blues Music Awards ceremony, Harper's joint composition with Charlie Musselwhite, "No Mercy In This Land", was named as 'Song of the Year'.
If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memory I recall now and then
And with what repture sweet, my weary heart will beat
If I could hear my mother pray again
If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her sweet, tender voice as then
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again
Was always bringing comfort, hope and cheer
And when she used to sing to her eternal king
It was the sound I loved to hear
If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her sweet, tender voice as then
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again
She used to pray that I, on Jesus would rely
And always walked the shining gospel way
Her work on earth is done, the life crown has been won
And now she's at rest with Him above
If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her tender voice as then
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again
If I could only hear my mother pray again
The lyrics to Ben Harper And The Blind Boys Of Alabama's song If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again speak to the powerful connection between a person and their mother. The lyrics evoke memories of a time when the singer remembers feeling "sweet and happy," dreaming of days gone by. The singer recalls his mother's gentle, patient smile and the comfort and hope she brought to those around her. The fact that the mother was always singing to her eternal king is significant, as it suggests a deep faith and a belief in something greater than herself. The singer also notes that his mother used to pray for him to rely on Jesus and to always walk the gospel way.
Towards the end of the song, the singer acknowledges that his mother has passed away and is now "at rest with Him above." Despite this, the singer continues to yearn for the sound of his mother's tender voice once again. The chorus repeats a desire to hear her pray again, emphasizing the depth of the singer's longing for his mother's presence.
Overall, the song If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again speaks to the deep connection between a person and their mother, and the sense of loss that can come with the passing of a loved one. The lyrics suggest that even after death, the memory of a mother's voice and presence can continue to be a source of comfort and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
How sweet and happy seem, those days of which I dream
I long for the joyful moments from the past as I dream about my mother's prayers.
Memory I recall now and then
Occasionally, I reminisce about my mother's prayers that I cherish.
And with what repture sweet, my weary heart will beat
My heart feels pure bliss if I could hear my mother's prayers again, especially when I am tired.
If I could hear my mother pray again
I express my wish to listen to my mother's prayers once more.
If I could only hear my mother pray again
I express my longing desire to hear my mother's prayers once again.
If I could hear her sweet, tender voice as then
I yearn for the melodious and gentle tone of my mother's voice from the past.
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me
Listening to my mother's prayers again would bring me immense happiness and hold great significance in my life.
If I could hear my mother pray again
I restate my longing desire to listen to my mother's prayers again.
Around the old home place, her patient smiling face
I associate my mother's patient and cheerful presence with the old home place.
Was always bringing comfort, hope and cheer
My mother never failed to provide comfort, hope, and cheer through her presence at home.
And when she used to sing to her eternal king
My mother's expression of faith and devotion through singing praises to God was inspiring.
It was the sound I loved to hear
The sound of my mother's prayerful singing was my favorite melody to hear.
She used to pray that I, on Jesus would rely
My mother's prayer for my spiritual reliance on Jesus was her constant supplication.
And always walked the shining gospel way
My mother's example of living according to the gospel was a guiding light for me.
Her work on earth is done, the life crown has been won
My mother has fulfilled her purpose on earth and has been rewarded with eternal life.
And now she's at rest with Him above
My mother is now at peace with God in heaven.
If I could only hear my mother pray again
I reiterate my strong desire to hear my mother's prayers again.
If I could hear her tender voice as then
I express my wish to hear my mother's gentle voice from the past.
How happy I would be, it would mean so much to me
Listening to my mother's prayers again would bring me profound joy and hold great value in my life.
If I could hear my mother pray again
I conclude my wishful expression to listen to my mother's prayers again.
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.