Gloria Gaither (b. March 4, 1942) is a songwriter for gospel music, along with her husband, Bill Gaither. She also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.
Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road
Bill & Gloria Gaither Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away from the lights of the city
Where an old time preacher pitched a ragged old tent
Looked like it was a hundred years old
He started out preaching to no one
But pretty soon a crowd started gathering
And he preached the gospel
I turned into a wild man
Some people said I'd gone crazy
But all too soon came the harvest
Of the wild seeds that I had sown
Well I stumbled into that meeting
I was looking like death warmed over
But then I heard the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope road
When they sing come ye sinners lost and hopeless
Lord I was hopeless heaven knows
Something got a hold of me something got a hold hallelujah
When I heard the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
It's still a wide spot out in the country
Away from the lights of the city
I pitched that old tent he gave me
The day that he died and went home
Some times I start preaching to no one
But pretty soon a crowd starts gathering
And I now preach the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
And we sing come ye sinners lost and hopeless
Lord I was hopeless heaven knows
Something got a hold of me something got a hold hallelujah
When I heard the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
Glory hallelujah I'm saying glory glory hallelujah
Hey hey glory glory hallelujah glory glory glory
And they sing come ye sinners lost and hopeless
Lord I was hopeless heaven knows
Something got a hold of me something got a hold hallelujah
When I heard the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
When I heard the gospel
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
Glory glory hallelujah
Glory glory hallelujah
"Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road" is a gospel song by Bill & Gloria Gaither that tells the story of a man who found salvation in a tent revival meeting held by an old-time preacher at the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road, a wide spot out in the country away from the lights of the city. At first, the man was lost and hopeless, stumbling into the meeting looking like death warmed over. But as the preacher preached the gospel, something got a hold of him, and he found himself transformed. He turned into a wild man, sowing wild seeds, but pretty soon came the harvest, as he started preaching the gospel himself, drawing crowds to the same spot where he found salvation.
The lyrics of "Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road" are a testimony to the power of the gospel to bring hope and transformation to lost and broken people. The song captures the theme of many old Southern gospel songs that focus on the notion of salvation and the promises of a better life beyond this world.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a wide spot out in the country
The location of the preacher's tent was far from any bustling city.
Away from the lights of the city
The area where the tent was set up was not illuminated at night.
Where an old time preacher pitched a ragged old tent
A preacher set up a worn-out tent at the remote location to deliver his message.
Looked like it was a hundred years old
The old preacher's tent had been used for some time, giving the impression it was a century old.
He started out preaching to no one
At first, the preacher was alone and had no audience.
But pretty soon a crowd started gathering
People started showing up to listen to the preacher's message.
And he preached the gospel
The preacher conveyed the teachings of the Bible and the word of God.
At the corner of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road
The location of the preacher's tent was at the intersection of two roads, one called Heartbreak Ridge and the other, New Hope Road.
I turned into a wild man
The songwriter changed dramatically, either in mindset or behavior.
Some people said I'd gone crazy
Some people thought the songwriter was not of sound mind.
But all too soon came the harvest
Eventually, the songwriter started to see the effects of their actions.
Of the wild seeds that I had sown
The songwriter's actions had resulted in unexpected consequences.
Well I stumbled into that meeting
The songwriter attended a gathering with difficulty and in a state of disarray.
I was looking like death warmed over
The songwriter appeared very ill, almost like they were at death's door.
But then I heard the gospel
The songwriter was presented with the teachings of the Bible and the plan of salvation.
When they sing come ye sinners lost and hopeless
The preacher and congregation sang a hymn with the line inviting sinners who are lost and hopeless.
Lord I was hopeless heaven knows
The songwriter was in an utterly hopeless state, known only to God.
Something got a hold of me something got a hold hallelujah
The songwriter felt like something had taken them over, leading them to rejoice with hallelujahs.
It's still a wide spot out in the country
The location of the old tent still had an open space and was far from any city.
I pitched that old tent he gave me
The songwriter used the old tent that had been given to them by the preacher for their own ministry.
The day that he died and went home
The preacher passed away, going to be with the Lord.
Some times I start preaching to no one
Occasionally, the songwriter starts preaching with no one there to hear them.
But pretty soon a crowd starts gathering
As the songwriter delivers their message, a gathering of people begins to form.
And I now preach the gospel
The songwriter is now sharing the message of salvation found in the gospel.
Glory hallelujah I'm saying glory glory hallelujah
The songwriter expresses their praise with the words 'glory hallelujah'.
Hey hey glory glory hallelujah glory glory glory
The songwriter repeats their expression of praise, adding more emphasis.
When I heard the gospel
The songwriter was moved by the message of the gospel that they heard at the intersection of Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LARRY W. GATLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Murray9452
I still think Walls Of Glass is one of the best Christians albums ever. Good bless you Russ.
@karenpfeiffer1132
I “am” Russ Taff! The spirit moves me and I start to move! I think David called in “dancing before the Lord”!!!!
@susanaholt1529
Now this is just my opinion but I think Russ Taff is the greatest gospel singer of all time.
@supermariodan3887
He is Bad to the bone!!! Love him
@voivodeofwallachia7386
If you haven't, you should hear Russ back in the 70s when he sang with the Imperials. He was a Beast back then too !!!
@othneillammie267
The guy has 5 Grammys
@othneillammie267
The guy has 5 Grammys
@notparticularly8662
@@voivodeofwallachia7386 We seen him in person twice in California and Colorado . Anointed!
@satisfied001
Very loud Russ Taff but that's how we love him. Even when he laughs or claps... Hahahaha one can tell it's him
@mariarichardson3486
You always touch my heart. Our Church burned down in 2018 we are preparing to rebuild and your music is an encouragement.