In the fifties after many failed attempts to sell his songs, he finally was signed up with Capitol Records and recorded a few rock and roll songs without much chart success. Just before he was drafted into the Army, he wrote a song called 'The All American Boy' and did a demo for his friend, Bill Parsons, to learn and record it. Instead of using the version Bill Parsons did later, the record company, Fraternity Records, decided to use the original demo done by Bobby Bare. The record reached number 2 on the Billboard Top 100, but it was wrongly credited to Bill Parsons.
His real big break came when RCA boss and guitarist Chet Atkins signed him to the RCA label. The first song he released on this label, 'Shame On Me', sold nearly a million copies and pushed Bobby Bare to fame overnight. His second RCA release, 'Detroit City' won him a Grammy for the best song of the year. Then a surge of hits followed, including '500 Miles Away From Home', 'Four Strong Winds' and others. He has also recorded two very successful albums with Skeeter Davis and has also dueted with Lacy J. Dalton and Rosanne Cash and additionally had a major hit as part of a trio with Norma Jean (singer) and Liz Anderson in 1967 titled 'The Game of Triangles'.
He moved to Mercury label in 1970 and had two big hits from early Kris Kristofferson compositions, 'Come Sundown' and 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends' before returning to RCA label where he produced his own records. Later Bare moved to CBS label and in 1979, he helped establish Rosanne Cash's career by singing with her on "No Memories Hangin' Round". Bare's singles for Columbia Records included 'The Jogger', 'Tequila Sheila', 'Gotta Get Rid Of This Band', 'When Hippies Get Older' and 'Numbers'. He later recorded for EMI with little success.
Bobby Bare is a versatile singer, and in the 70s started to release novelty songs recorded live with selected audiences. One of such songs, 'Marie Laveau' about a witch, reached the number one position on the country chart. This song was written by his friend, a very talented song writer, poet, author and cartoonist Shel Silverstein. He also penned many other songs for Bobby Bare including a Grammy nominated hit called 'Daddy What If' which he recorded with his five year old son, Bobby Bare Jr, who later became a star on his own. Bobby Bare later recorded a very successful album with his family and penned mainly by Shel called 'Singing in The Kitchen'. It was nominated for best group category in Grammy Awards but was declined by Bobby himself.
He later took chances recording strange, controversial material as 'Dropkick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life)' (a 1976 Grammy nominee) and the expletive-driven 'Redneck Hippie Romance' with much success.
Bobby Bare is also the first to come up with a concept album called 'Bird Named Yesterday' which was very successful. His most successful concept album is 'Lullaby Legends and Lies'.
Bobby Bare was also given an opportunity to star in the movies. He did a Western with Troy Donahue called A Distant Trumpet, and a few episodes of a TV series called No Time for Sergeants. He turned his back on Hollywood to pursue his career in Country Music.
In 1998 he formed the band Old Dogs together with his friends Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings.
In addition to the above, Bobby Bare is credited for introducing Waylon Jennings to RCA. He is also one of the first to record from many well known song writers such as Jack Clement, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newberry, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He later had a TV series called 'Bobby Bare & Friends, A Song Writer Showcase'. Recently, he has recorded a new album after over 20 years called 'The Moon Was Blue' produced by his son. His son, Bobby Bare, Jr., is also a musician.
Bless America Again
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see all the troubles that she's in
Wash her pretty face dry her eyes and then
God bless America again
God I sure to wish you bless America again
You know like you did way back when it all began
You blessed her then but we just sorta kinda take it for granted
And never did ask again
So God just hold her hand that's all
And if she should stumble please don't let her fall
God bless America again...
You know I don't understand to everythin' I'm readin' here
About what's wrong with America
And if you don't have a lotta good learnin'
I guess there's a lotta things you don't understand
But let me say this God she's like a mother to me
And though all I am or ever hope to be I owe to you and to her
Wash her pretty face...
**********
2.
JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
(Traditional)
« © '49 Bridge Building Music, BMI »
I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee let it be dear Lord let it be
When my feeble life is o'er time for me shall be no more
Guide me gently safely o'er to Thy kingdom shores to Thy shores
Just a closer walk with Thee...
In Bobby Bare's "Bless America Again" lyrics, the singer calls upon God to bless America once more, acknowledging the troubles and difficulties the country is currently facing. The song expresses a desperate longing for a return to a time when America was blessed and prosperous, and acknowledges the nation's shortcomings and failings. The singer asks God to wash America's face, dry her tears, and hold her hand, so that she can avoid stumbling and falling.
The song's lyrics suggest that America has lost its way and is in dire need of divine intervention to set things right. The singer acknowledges that he may not understand everything that's wrong with America, but he sees her as a mother and seeks to protect and defend her. The final verse of the song refers to the traditional hymn "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," which emphasizes the importance of walking closely with Jesus and seeking his guidance and protection.
Line by Line Meaning
God bless America again
May America receive your blessings once more
You see all the troubles that she's in
You are aware of all the hardships that America is enduring
Wash her pretty face dry her eyes and then
Cleanse America's soul and help her move forward without tears
God I sure to wish you bless America again
Oh God, I plead with you to shower your blessings on America again
You know like you did way back when it all began
Similar to the way you blessed America when it was founded
You blessed her then but we just sorta kinda take it for granted
You blessed America in the past, but we have not fully appreciated it
And never did ask again
We never specifically asked for your blessings again
So God just hold her hand that's all
Please guide America and support her throughout her trials
And if she should stumble please don't let her fall
If America trips or falters, please do not let her hit rock bottom
You know I don't understand to everythin' I'm readin' here
I am struggling to grasp everything I am reading about America's condition
About what's wrong with America
About the issues plaguing America
And if you don't have a lotta good learnin'
Unless you are well-educated
I guess there's a lotta things you don't understand
I assume you will not understand many things
But let me say this God she's like a mother to me
You should know, God, that America is like a mother to me
And though all I am or ever hope to be I owe to you and to her
Everything that I am or aspire to be is thanks to you and America
Wash her pretty face...
Cleanse and revitalize America's soul
I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I am frail, but you are strong. Jesus, please safeguard me from doing any wrong
I'll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
I will be content as long as I walk in your footsteps and remain close to you
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
All I want is to be closer to you, so I am pleading with Jesus to help me achieve it
Daily walking close to Thee let it be dear Lord let it be
I hope to walk by your side every day, Lord. Please make it happen
When my feeble life is o'er time for me shall be no more
When I die, my fragile existence will come to an end
Guide me gently safely o'er to Thy kingdom shores to Thy shores
Please ensure that I safely travel to your kingdom and your shores
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY BARE, BOYCE HAWKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steven Wendell Nelson
Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Consistently Pray for forgiveness, guidance in a good (positive) direction, and for help against evil. Pray to be saved from hell (whatever that may be). Pray for your friends and your family too, it only takes a minute or so/less at a time to pray. Do it and your life will slowly get better, or maybe quickly. It probably just depends on you and the kind of person you are/have been. Don't wait until its too late and you have to suffer the consequences of built up bad karma from immoral acts/unrepented sins. Maybe together we can help make the world a better place by changing ourselves for the better, and changing things around us for the better.
And addressing/thanking the CREATOR, LORD GOD at the beginning and end of your prayers would be a good idea 😊
Or just be my friend if you don't want to say the prayer 😄
I'm trying to help you get right with the LORD 🙏
Amen.
I have worded a short prayer for you to say if you are not sure what words to use, it may not be the best but here it is 😊
'' CREATOR, LORD GOD,
Please forgive me and my friends and my family for our immoral acts, please help guide us in a positive direction and please help us against evil. Please save us from Hell and have mercy on our souls. Thank you CREATOR, LORD GOD. Amen. ''
Please say this at least once a day for at least a month, do it longer if you want to and can 😊🙏
You should prostrate yourself if you don't want to do spoken prayer, or do both 🙏☺ Please worship the LORD GOD and not any idol. 🙏🙏
Say ' Om Namah Shivaya ' out loud or in your head 108 times, or try to do it 1008 times 😊 try to do it everyday if you want 🙏
Doris Allen
We need this song again
Robert Jensen
This is one of the best songs that anyone has ever written and sung knowing what has happened to her.
I wish that the music industry that supported real country music I never seen rock and roll drums or instruments that drowned out the beautiful lyrics that sang about. The older artists are honest people that tell stories about them selves or someone else, best music ever.
Irma Morales
Amen. Lord God, we need Your hand in this hour.
Gregor Miller
Great song and tribute. God Bless the men and women of the Armed Forces, those that serve, have served, and passed. Miss you pops and G-pa.
Lena Andersson
Bobby Bare 🎤🙏 LOVE your voice...💖💖
Linda Guiliano
Ame! Greatest country in the world and always will be !!🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️
Marryann Lamb
Great song thanks so much for sharing . GOD bless you.
faronfan
A classic!
Primrose Haran
Fantastic Bobby a legend thanks for this lovely post
Yvonne Nelson
I'm in love with the guy on the keyboard. Also Bobby Bare.