From the mid-1950s until 1975, Estil Cortez Ball performed with his wife Orna and their Friendly Gospel Singers in churches and on the radio, especially on WKSK (AM) in West Jefferson, North Carolina and WBOB (AM) in Galax, Virginia. Ball's first recordings were made by John A. Lomax on behalf of the Library of Congress at the 1937 Galax Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia, where E.C. performed with his Rugby Gully Jumpers string band (named after Paul Warmack's Gully Jumpers). Lomax recorded the string band and several duets by E.C. and Orna. John's son Alan Lomax recorded Ball three years later, in 1941, at E.C.'s home in Rugby, Virginia, and there again in 1959.
County Records released Ball's first LP in 1967, as E.C. Ball and the Friendly Gospel Singers. Two more LPs followed in the 1970s on Rounder Records: E.C. Ball and Fathers Have A Home Sweet Home. Ball was also recorded by John Cohen for his 1975 compilation album High Atmosphere: Ballads and Banjo Tunes from Virginia and North Carolina.
E.C. Ball's most famous composition was a piece he called "Tribulations," based, as he told Alan Lomax in 1959, "on the last book in the Bible: Revelations." It has been frequently covered by other musicians as "Trials, Troubles, Tribulations."
Ball died in 1978 in Grassy Creek, North Carolina, and is buried at Corinth Baptist Church in Rugby, Grayson County, Virginia.
In December 2009, a tribute album was released entitled Face A Frowning World: An E.C. Ball Memorial Album, on the Tompkins Square label, produced by Nathan Salsburg. Singers interpreting songs from E.C.'s repertoire include Jolie Holland, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Jon Langford, the Handsome Family, Rayna Gellert, and Catherine Irwin, among others.
I'm Going Home
E.C. Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there are people who will hurt you
And make you wonder how
They could ever leave you now
But you are not alone I'll always be your home
When you need a safe place to run to
I'll always be around
I will never let you down
I'm going to be the one who always cares
No matter where you are
I'm a shining star
Lighting up the skies for you
Showing the best way out
When life is full of doubt
Promise you won't let go, tell me you always know
That you can count on me
I'll always be around
I will never let you down
I'm going to be the one who always loves you
I'm going to be the one who always cares
No matter where you are
I'm your shining star
I'll always be around
I will never let you down
I will always love you
I will always care
I'm going to be the one who always loves you
I'm going to be the one who always cares
No matter where you are
The lyrics to E.C. Ball's song "I'm Going Home" are a reassuring message to someone who is going through a tough time. The singer acknowledges that life can be harsh and that there are people who may hurt you and leave you with doubts. However, the singer wants to let the person know that they are not alone and that they will always be there as a safe haven. The singer promises to never let the person down and to always love and care for them.
The lyrics also portray the singer as a guiding light in the person's life. The singer compares themselves to a shining star that will light up the skies for the person and show them the way out when life is full of doubt. The singer wants to be the one that the person can always count on and that will never abandon them.
Overall, the message of the song is one of love, support, and unwavering commitment to another person. It is a comforting and reassuring message to anyone who may be going through a tough time in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Life can be so hard
Life can be difficult and challenging.
And there are people who will hurt you
There are individuals who will cause you pain.
And make you wonder how
The hurt will make you question why it happened.
They could ever leave you now
You may feel abandoned by those who hurt you.
But you are not alone I'll always be your home
Despite feeling alone, there is always a safe place for you.
When you need a safe place to run to
During times of need, there is a place you can go to for comfort and safety.
I'll always be around
There will always be someone to turn to.
I will never let you down
You can always count on support.
I'm going to be the one who always loves you
You can rely on unconditional love.
I'm going to be the one who always cares
You can rely on care and concern.
No matter where you are
Location does not change this support.
I'm a shining star
This support is bright and unwavering.
Lighting up the skies for you
This support shines positivity onto your situation.
Showing the best way out
This support can help guide you through difficult times.
When life is full of doubt
During times of uncertainty, this support is constant.
Promise you won't let go, tell me you always know
Make a commitment to never give up, and always remember this support.
That you can count on me
This support is reliable and dependable.
I'm your shining star
This support will continue to shine positivity onto your life.
I will always love you
There will always be love for you.
I will always care
There will always be care for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Paul Cuthbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Gracyk
Here are the lyrics:
When my Savior calls me over yonder
I’ll have me a mansion on the other side
Gonna tell my neighbor how glad I am to see him
I get home I’m going be satisfied
I’ll have me a harp of gold just like David’s
When i get over on the other side
Gonna sing and play with a band of a million angels
When I get home I’m gonna be satisfied
This has a rich sound--but only two chords are used. Very simple in construction (most pop songs of the 1950s try to use 3 or 4 chords).