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.
If I Could Be There
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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This road I'm on is so far away
Too far away
If God would grant me wings to fly
I'd be in your arms by and by
If I could be there I'd be there tonight comforting you
These hills and highways between us now keep us apart
If God would grant me wings to fly
I'd be in your arms by and by
If I could be there I'd look in your eyes and say I love you
If I could be there I wouldn't have this pain in my heart
Tomorrow I'll wake up with joy for the day
Joy for the day
If God would grant me wings to fly
I'd be in your arms by and by
If I could be there I wouldn't have this pain in my heart
If I could be there
This song by Emmylou Harris is about the longing for someone who is far away. The singer expresses a desire to be with their loved one and to comfort them during a difficult time. The distance between them is described as "hills and highways," which reinforces how far apart they are from each other. The idea of being granted wings to fly directly to the person they love is a metaphor for the ability to instantly be with them.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea of being granted wings to fly and how this would bring the singer to their loved one's arms. It is a beautiful and romantic sentiment that shows the singer's deep love and longing for their partner.
The final verse of the song is hopeful, suggesting that the singer will wake up with joy for the day knowing that they are loved and missed by their partner. The pain in their heart from being apart will be eased by the thought of this love.
Overall, the song is a touching expression of love and longing. It speaks to the universal feeling of missing someone who is far away and yearning for their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could be there I'd be there tonight comforting you
If it were within my power to be by your side, I would do everything in my power to offer you comfort and support during this difficult time.
This road I'm on is so far away
The physical distance between us is immense, making it nearly impossible for me to be there for you in the way I wish I could be.
Too far away
The distance between us is insurmountable, and it pains me greatly to be unable to be with you during this trying time.
If God would grant me wings to fly
If a higher power could grant me the ability to traverse the distance between us, I would use this power to be with you without hesitation.
I'd be in your arms by and by
With this newfound ability to travel, I would immediately make my way to your embrace.
If I could be there I'd look in your eyes and say I love you
In person, I would offer you my love and support directly, looking into your eyes as I express my feelings for you.
These hills and highways between us now keep us apart
Despite my desire to be with you, the physical barriers in place make it extremely difficult for us to bridge the distance that separates us.
If I could be there I wouldn't have this pain in my heart
The emotional pain caused by our separation would cease to exist if I could simply be by your side and offer you my love and support.
Tomorrow I'll wake up with joy for the day
Despite our current separation and the emotional burden it creates, I have hope that tomorrow will be better and that I will find happiness in the day to come.
Joy for the day
I have faith that even in the face of great adversity and difficulty, I will find joy and happiness in the moments that make up each new day.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KANE, O'HARA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind