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.
Green Rolling Hills
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear
And I cannot linger here
They'll keep me and never let me go
My daddy said, don't ever be a miner
For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own
I can't find a dime to spare
These are the worst times I've ever known
So I'll move away into some crowded city
In some northern factory town you'll find me there
Though I'll leave the past behind
I'll never change my mind
These troubled times are more than I could bear
But someday I'll go back to West Virginia
To the green rolling hills I love so well
Yes, someday I'll go home
And I know I'll right the wrong
These troubled times will follow me no more
Yes, someday I'll go home
And I know I'll right the wrong
These troubled times will follow me no more
The song "Green Rolling Hills" by Emmylou Harris is a poignant tale of the struggles and hardships faced by families in West Virginia, particularly those who worked in the coal mines. The lush depiction of the rolling hills of West Virginia and the tranquil beauty they possess is a striking contrast to the harsh realities of life in the region. The hills, which are likened to heaven, represent a haven from the dreary times and a source of comfort and hope for those who long to escape their troubles.
The lyrics describe the lament of the singer whose father warns him against becoming a miner, as it would lead to a life of poverty and ultimately death. The hard times weigh heavily on the singer's mind, and the only escape seems to be moving away to a crowded city, where he hopes to find a better life. Even so, the singer cannot forget his love for the green rolling hills of West Virginia, and he vows to return someday to make things right and be reunited with the land he holds so dear.
The song's message of longing for a simpler life, and hope for redemption and healing, resonates with many people who have faced similar struggles in their lives. It is a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that the hardships of life can be overcome with perseverance and faith in a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
The green rolling hills of West Virginia
The landscape of West Virginia is characterized by lush, green hills that create an idyllic and peaceful environment.
Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
The beauty and serenity of these hills are so appealing to me that for me, being in West Virginia is almost like being in paradise.
Though the times are sad and drear
Despite the times being gloomy and depressing, West Virginia still offers a sense of comfort and refuge.
And I cannot linger here
However, circumstances prevent me from staying in West Virginia for a long time.
They'll keep me and never let me go
The green rolling hills of West Virginia have such a strong hold on me that I feel like I'll never be able to leave them behind completely.
My daddy said, don't ever be a miner
My father warned me against becoming a miner because it's a perilous profession with little reward.
For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own
Miners often work in harsh conditions and are at high risk for injury or death, so they seldom get to enjoy their wealth or see their efforts bear fruit. Early death and burial in a miner's grave is a common outcome.
'Cause the hard times are everywhere
Difficult times are pervasive and universal, especially in mining communities where struggle, poverty, and premature death are widespread.
I can't find a dime to spare
My finances are so tight that I don't have a penny to spare or invest in any endeavor.
These are the worst times I've ever known
These hardships and challenges are the most severe and unbearable that I've faced so far in my life.
So I'll move away into some crowded city
In order to escape poverty and seek better opportunities, I'll leave West Virginia and move to a busy city filled with job prospects.
In some northern factory town you'll find me there
I'll head to a manufacturing hub in the north where I can use my working-class skills to secure employment and make a living.
Though I'll leave the past behind
Regardless of where I go or what I do, I'll leave behind the memories, struggles, and successes of my life in West Virginia.
I'll never change my mind
My decision to leave West Virginia for good is final and will not be swayed by any circumstance.
These troubled times are more than I could bear
The difficulties, obstacles, and struggles that I'm facing in West Virginia have grown too weighty for me. I need to escape and find a new life elsewhere.
But someday I'll go back to West Virginia
Although I've decided to leave West Virginia behind, I still long for the sense of peace, contentment, and nostalgia that the green rolling hills of West Virginia bring me.
To the green rolling hills I love so well
The green rolling hills of West Virginia hold a special place in my heart and inspire a deep sense of belonging and affection in me.
Yes, someday I'll go home
Someday, I'll return to West Virginia, my true home where I feel the most comfortable and at peace.
And I know I'll right the wrong
When I return to West Virginia, I'll rectify the problems and issues I left behind, and I'll finally be able to make things right.
These troubled times will follow me no more
My return to West Virginia will bring me the redemption, happiness, and stability that I long for, and I'll be free of the trouble and difficulty that plagued me before.
Lyrics © MUSIC MANAGEMENT
Written by: BRUCE UTAH PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind