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.
Just Because
E.C. Ball Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I found I couldn't hide.
You said that we would never be friends,
but there's so much more inside.
I left to chase a shattered dream,
You know how hard I've tried.
And now I'm back and you're wondering why...
Chorus:
Just because of the things that you do.
Just because you opened your heart to me,
I know God led me to you.
Just because you stood by my side,
When everybody ran away.
Just because of the way you live your life,
I know I'm falling in love...Just because.
I tried to...tell you
I tried to make you see
But you never seemed to understand
That you mean the world to me
I'll leave everything behind
You know we were meant to be
You're my soul, you're all that I need...
Chorus
Just because you always seem to lift me up
When life would leave me down
You had faith in me
You always stayed around
And even through the times when I broke your heart
And tore down every star
I'm here for you know
Please show me how,
To be, everything you are...
In E.C. Ball's song "Just Because," the singer recounts a complex relationship where they try to run away from each other but find themselves unable to hide their feelings. The other person initially rejects the idea of being friends, but the singer believes there is a deeper connection between them. The singer had left in pursuit of a broken dream, trying hard to make something of themselves. However, now they have returned, and the other person is left wondering why.
The chorus emphasizes the reason behind the singer's feelings. They are falling in love with the other person "just because" of who they are and the things they do. The other person has opened their heart to the singer, which the singer believes was guided by a higher power. They also acknowledge that the other person stood by their side when everyone else deserted them and appreciates the way they live their life.
In the second verse, the singer expresses their attempts to communicate their feelings to the other person, but they never fully understood how much they meant to the singer. The singer is willing to leave everything behind for the other person because they believe they are meant to be together. The other person is the singer's soul and all they need.
The bridge reflects on the unwavering support the other person has provided. They have lifted the singer up when life was hard and always stayed by their side. This loyal companionship contrasts with the times when the singer admits to breaking the other person's heart and tearing down every star. Despite their mistakes, the singer is now committed to this relationship and asks the other person to show them how to be everything they are.
Overall, "Just Because" is a heartfelt song about a complex relationship. The lyrics explore themes of love, forgiveness, and the hardships of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to...run away,
I made an attempt to escape from my current situation,
but I found I couldn't hide.
Yet, I discovered that I was unable to conceal myself completely.
You said that we would never be friends,
You expressed that our relationship could never extend beyond mere acquaintance,
but there's so much more inside.
However, there exists a multitude of deeper emotions and connections within us.
I left to chase a shattered dream,
I departed in pursuit of a broken aspiration,
You know how hard I've tried.
You are aware of the immense effort I have exerted.
And now I'm back and you're wondering why...
Now that I have returned, you are pondering the reasons behind my reappearance...
Chorus:
Refrain:
Just because of the way that you are.
Purely due to your inherent nature.
Just because of the things that you do.
Merely because of the actions you undertake.
Just because you opened your heart to me,
Simply because you revealed the depths of your emotions to me,
I know God led me to you.
I firmly believe that a higher power guided me towards you.
Just because you stood by my side,
Solely due to your unwavering support and loyalty,
When everybody ran away.
While everyone else deserted me in my time of need.
Just because of the way you live your life,
Exclusively due to the manner in which you conduct your existence,
I know I'm falling in love...Just because.
I am certain that I am descending into the depths of love, for no particular reason other than that.
I tried to...tell you
I made an effort to communicate my feelings to you
I tried to make you see
I attempted to make you comprehend
But you never seemed to understand
Yet, it appeared that you were unable to grasp the significance
That you mean the world to me
That you hold immense value in my eyes
I'll leave everything behind
I am willing to abandon all that I have
You know we were meant to be
You are aware that our destined path is intertwined
You're my soul, you're all that I need...
You are the very essence of my being; you fulfill all my requirements...
Chorus
Refrain
Just because you always seem to lift me up
Purely because you consistently elevate my spirits
When life would leave me down
During moments when life would inherently bring me low
You had faith in me
You possessed unwavering belief in my abilities
You always stayed around
You perpetually remained by my side
And even through the times when I broke your heart
And even amidst the moments when I caused you emotional pain
And tore down every star
And systematically dismantled every hope and aspiration
I'm here for you now
I am present and available for you at this moment
Please show me how,
Kindly demonstrate for me,
To be, everything you are...
How to embody and encompass all that you exemplify...
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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