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1) David Rhodes is an English guitarist, songwriter, and composer. He was born 2 May 1956 in London, the third of five children, to Philip and Elizabeth, a doctor and a homemaker, respectively. Among his early musical influences were his father, who played banjo ukulele, as well as the Telstars and the Beatles.
David started playing guitar in his early teens, while he was listening to a great deal of blues and jazz music, but put music aside to follow other passions - namely rugby football and the fine arts. At the age of 21, he met up with David Ferguson after both attended an unsatisfying concert, and the pair decided to break new musical ground by forming a band, unhampered by the fact that neither of them had any particular musical expertise. They started as an experimental performance group, which evolved first into Manscheinen and later into Random Hold, where they were joined by bassist Bill MacCormick, vocalist/guitarist Simon Ainley and drummer Peter Phipps.
The Randoms achieved some early success, came to the attention of Peter Gabriel and were subsequently invited to open for Gabriel on his 1980 U.S. tour. Soon after the tour, David left Random Hold, and has continued to record and tour with Peter Gabriel ever since (a 25-year collaboration).
In addition to his work with Gabriel, David has produced albums with T-Bone Burnett, Akira Inoue, Indio and Massimo DiCataldo. He composed the soundtrack for the Italian animated film "La Gabbianella E Il Gatto". David also collaborated with Peter Gabriel and Richard Evans on the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack "The Long Walk Home", music from the film "Rabbit Proof Fence" and has composed numerous film and television soundtracks with Richard Evans (as "The Footnote").
He has lent his distinctive guitar style to albums by a wide variety of artists, including Roy Orbison, Tim Finn, Paul McCartney, Joan Armatrading, The Pretenders and Scott Walker. He also composed the soundtrack for Atlantis III: The New World, the Cryo Interactive Entertainment video game.
Meanwhile he also released two albums as David Rhodes and The David Rhodes Band, Bittersweet and Rhodes.
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2) The British lutenist David Rhodes has released several albums with baroque music either solo or in a duo, e.g. ..."Dead, I Sing Sweetly"...aesops.
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3) A British soul singer aka Danny Leake with the '70s disco hit Hung Up in Mid-Air.
Down By The River
David Rhodes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for the good Lord to pass my way
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
Singing songs of joy on this lovely day
(Oh yeah)
Three singing birds told me
By sunrise he's always there in the morning
I heard about this little tale long time ago
But never had the faith to believe in my soul (yeah)
Now mother sent to me three little birds
Singing a son convincing me it was so
Now I'm on my way
Anyone come to see me this day
Tell them I'll be gone for the day
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
Waiting for the good Lord to pass my way
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
Singing songs of joy on this lovely day
(Oh yeah)
I heard about this little tale long time ago
But never had the faith to believe in my soul (yeah)
Now mother sent to me three little birds
Singing a son convincing me it was so
Now I'm on my way
Anyone come to see me this day
Tell them I'll be gone for the day
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
Waiting for the good Lord to pass my way
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
Singing songs of joy on this lovely day
(Oh yeah)
The song "Down by the River" by David Rhodes is an uplifting piece that speaks about the singer's faith and the revelation that he finally experiences. He announces that he'll be down by the river, waiting for the good Lord to pass his way while singing songs of joy on this lovely day. He claims that three singing birds told him that by sunrise, the Lord is always there, in the morning, praying and blessing the day. He credits his mother for sending him three little birds, singing a song convincing him it was so, which renewed his faith, and he is now on his way.
The singer declares that he heard the little tale that he narrates in the song a long time ago but never had the faith to believe in his soul. He is now convinced, seems to have found his way and is waiting for the good Lord and singing songs of joy. His enthusiasm and spirit of joy are contagious and exude from the song's lyrics. "Down by the River" is an evocative and beautifully crafted piece, filled with spiritual and uplifting elements, that speak to the heart and soul of the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
I will be waiting by the river.
Waiting for the good Lord to pass my way
I am patiently waiting for the good Lord to come by and bless me.
(Oh yeah) I'll be down by the river
I will be singing songs of joy at the river.
Singing songs of joy on this lovely day
I will be singing happy songs to celebrate this beautiful day.
Three singing birds told me
I heard from three singing birds.
By sunrise he's always there in the morning
The good Lord is always there at sunrise.
Praying And blessing the day
He is praying and blessing the day.
I heard about this little tale long time ago
I heard this story a long time ago.
But never had the faith to believe in my soul (yeah)
I never had enough faith to believe it was true.
Now mother sent to me three little birds
My mother sent three little birds to me.
Singing a son convincing me it was so
Their song convinced me that it was true.
Now I'm on my way
Now I am going there.
Anyone come to see me this day
If anyone comes to see me today,
Tell them I'll be gone for the day
Let them know that I will be gone for the day.
Writer(s): Traditional, David Rhodes
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robert Lewis
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. One of the most vivid lyrics ever!
Matt Herrett
Found this by accident. Was just Googling all the musicians that played on PG's Us. Beautiful song. Thank you!
Bern____
Heard it on plus from us