Estil C. Ball (1913–1978) was an American singer-songwriter, fingerstyle gu… Read Full Bio ↴Estil C. Ball (1913–1978) was an American singer-songwriter, fingerstyle guitarist, and country gospel and folk musician from Rugby, Grayson County, Virginia.
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.
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.
Passing Away
E.C. Ball Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Passing Away' by these artists:
Karkadan A ray of light falls into this cell Landscapes hidden by…
Lux Occulta Oto jest widok, który znam od dnia narodzin Wiatr ciągle śp…
The Shamen Morning began And your head popped out with your heart…
We have lyrics for these tracks by E.C. Ball:
Church In The Wildwood Look Father forgive them For they know not what they doing P…
Give Me Just A Little More Time You tried your best to show me That you really…
Home Sweet Home Come on Baby, don't you wanna go home Come on Baby, don't yo…
I Want To Live 「ねぇ、たまにはさ 羽根を伸ばしたら?」って ことあるごとに アナタは言うけれど Woo ah うんざりよ W…
Introduction Three years is a long time when you're this young Throwing…
Jacob's Ladder Another time, another place, another life Climb a ladder up …
Just Because I tried to...run away, but I found I couldn't hide. You said…
Pretty Polly "Polly, pretty Polly, come go along with me Polly, pretty Po…
Ten Thousand Angels I swear this plane is going down Brace yourself, this is…
The Cabin in the Valley Sometimes I wish I wasn't my mother's son Out doing blow…
The Fox Un dia me quiere Al otro …
The Last Month of the Year You were bouncing off the walls Last night of the year My…
The Old Tar River Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away That's where m…
Too Young To Marry Oh Really Nokap it's too late Too late It's too late for you…
Trials Troubles Tribulations Trials and tribulations, you can't even get out, you don't…
When I Get Home I I'm freezing Its the season Why my shorty always freaky on t…
When I Lay My Burden Down WHERE I LAY MY HAT DOWN this old box, full of…
When the Saints Go Marching In We are traveling in the footsteps Of those who've gone befor…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@melvinwren
alan lomax needs to be represented in rock and roll hall of fame somehow
@ahistoryofthefoodofparis9910
Arguably. If only he hadn't copyright traditional songs as his own.
@sherrard5492
When I learned this song from a Peter Rowan record, I loved the way its unflinching imagery is married to such a serene melody. I had no idea who EC Ball might be—now I can’t wait to go search out more of his music!
@stevenvelez1717
You described it perfectly
@WailinHeino
Thanks ever so much! I hadn't heard this wonderful song since ages.
@fuzzy6813
and this is what gospel music is made of.... thank you.....
@PEROUKIS
Sugar for my ears honey for my eyes every time I see new video posted.
Thank you so much!!
@toddgaines9446
I'm lucky enough to have this one on vinyl. Recorded in the field by Alan Lonex, Southern Folk Heritage Series WHITE SPIRITUALS. ATLANTIC records 1349
@seamus2112ophelan
Wow! Lucky you, I'm gonna hafta be on the lookout for it now.
@WoodwoseTransmissions
Very haunting. They look like the models from American Gothic. Fantastic as always.