Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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The day's almost gone
Still darkness falls around us
And we must journey on
The darkest hour is just before dawn
The narrow way leads home
Lay down your soul at Jesus' feet
Like a shepherd out on the mountain
A-watchin' the sheep down below
He's coming back to claim us
Will you be ready to go
The darkest hour is just before dawn
The narrow way leads home
Lay down your soul
Let Jesus in
The darkest hour is just before dawn
The darkest hour is just before dawn
Emmylou Harris's song, Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn, is a spiritual and philosophical reflection on human existence, suffering, and redemption. The lyrics assert that life is a journey through darkness and suffering, but that hope and salvation can be found through faith and submission to a higher power.
The first stanza sets the scene: the sun is setting, the day is almost over, and darkness prevails. But the lyrics use the darkness as a metaphor for the pervasive doubt, fear, and uncertainty that afflict people on their journey through life. Despite the darkness, the lyrics assert that we must keep moving forward, just as we must keep journeying towards our ultimate destination, be it a physical location or a spiritual state.
The second stanza invokes the image of a shepherd watching over his flock on the mountain, waiting for the return of his master. This is a metaphor for the Christian concept of awaiting the second coming of Christ, when the faithful will be redeemed and taken home to heaven. The lyrics ask the listener if they will be ready when that time comes, suggesting that preparation and faith are necessary for salvation.
The refrain of the song proclaims that the darkest hour is just before dawn, a metaphor for the idea that hope and salvation are often found in the midst of the greatest despair and suffering. The narrow way, which leads home, is a reference to the Christian notion of the path to salvation being a difficult and narrow one that few can find. The lyrics urge the listener to lay down their soul at Jesus' feet, an act of submission and surrender that is necessary for salvation.
The overall message of Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn is one of hope and faith in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that although life can be difficult and full of darkness, salvation and redemption are possible through faith and submission to a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is slowly sinkin'
The day is coming to an end and the sun is setting.
The day's almost gone
The day is almost over and darkness is approaching.
Still darkness falls around us
Despite the approaching darkness, night has not yet fallen.
And we must journey on
We must continue our journey even in the darkness.
The darkest hour is just before dawn
When we are in the midst of darkness and despair, hope and light are just around the corner.
The narrow way leads home
The path we must take is difficult and narrow, but it leads us to our ultimate destination.
Lay down your soul at Jesus' feet
Give up all that you are to Jesus and trust in Him to guide you through the darkness.
Like a shepherd out on the mountain
Just as a shepherd watches over his sheep, Jesus watches over us and guides us on our journey.
A-watchin' the sheep down below
He is vigilant, watching protectively over us, His flock.
He's coming back to claim us
Jesus will return one day to lead us home at the end of our earthly journey.
Will you be ready to go
When Jesus returns, will you be ready to follow Him?
Let Jesus in
Trust in Jesus' love and guidance at all times.
The darkest hour is just before dawn
When things seem the bleakest, that is often when we are closest to finding the light again.
The darkest hour is just before dawn
Repetition of this line reinforces the message that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and light to be found.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RALPH (USA 1 STANLEY, RALPH (USA 1) STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind