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'.
In the Lord's Arms
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The wind it blew straight through us
And whispered to me in tongues
Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms
So I drink this wine to him
With each glass, a memory
He left with his crown of thorns
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The lyrics in Ben Harper's song "In The Lord's Arms" describe the emotional pain of losing someone dear. The song starts with a metaphor of wings stolen from an angel, petals gone from a rose, and a dove caught in a storm. These metaphors signify the dilemma of losing something pure, beautiful, and graceful. The second verse talks about the wind blowing straight through and whispering to the singer in tongues as if the wind is the departed person's message to him. The singer is then told and warned that his departed loved one would be in the Lord's arms tonight, indicating that the departed person has gone to the afterlife.
In the third verse, the singer drinks wine for his loved one, and with each glass of wine, he relives a precious memory they shared. The last line repeats the earlier line, "Tonight he's in the Lord's arms," emphasizing the fact that the departed person is in heaven's embrace now. The song's overarching theme is that death is a natural part of life, and though it can be painful, the departed person is at peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the wings stolen from an angel
Just like how the wings were stolen from an angel, something precious was taken away
Like petals gone from a rose
Something delicate and beautiful was lost, just like how petals fall off a rose.
Like a dove caught in a storm
Just as a dove struggles to fly in a storm, someone was caught in a dire situation.
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The person has passed away and now rests in the Lord's embrace.
The wind it blew straight through us
The wind blew strong and hit us hard, making us realize that something important had changed.
And whispered to me in tongues
It felt like the wind was communicating in an unknown language or code, symbolizing a message that was difficult to decipher.
I was told, I was warned
The singer had a forewarning that something was about to happen, but it still came as a shock.
Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
According to the warning, the person was going to meet their end and find rest in the Lord's Arms.
So I drink this wine to him
The artist is raising a toast to the memory of the departed person.
With each glass, a memory
With each sip of wine, the artist remembers a specific moment they shared with the person they've lost.
He left with his crown of thorns
The person went through a lot of pain and sacrificed a lot, just like Jesus did when he wore a crown of thorns. Now, he has left this world.
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The person is no more and has found rest in the Lord's Arms.
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The person is no more and has found rest in the Lord's Arms.
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
The repeating line emphasizes that the person has passed away and now rests in the Lord's Arms.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind