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.
Jordan
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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Take Jesus as your daily guide
Though you may feel pure and safely
Without Him walking by your side
But when you come to make the crossing
At the ending of your pilgrim's way
If you ever will meet our Savior
You'll surely meet Him on that day
Now look at that cold Jordan
Look at these deep waters
Look at that wide river
Oh hear the mighty billows roar
You'd better take Jesus with you
He's a true companion
For I'm sure without Him
That you never will make it o'er
That awful Day of Judgment
Is coming in the by and by
We'll see our Lord descending
In Glory from on high
So let us keep in touch with Jesus
And in his grace the Love of God
That we may be ever called ready
When He calls us over Jordan's Tide
Now look at that cold Jordan
Look at these deep waters
Look at that wide river
Oh hear the mighty billows roar
You'd better take Jesus with you
He's a true companion
For I'm sure without Him
That you never will make it o'er
Oh what, what you gonna do
Oh what, what you gonna do
Oh how, how you gonna feel
When you come to the end of the Way
Emmylou Harris's song "Jordan" is a spiritual gospel song that emphasizes the importance of having Jesus as a companion in life's journey. The lyrics suggest that even if one feels pure and safe without Jesus, they will need Him to cross the "cold Jordan" and make it to the other side. The song implies that without Jesus, one cannot make it to the end of the "pilgrim's way." The "awful Day of Judgment" is also mentioned, emphasizing the need to stay in touch with Jesus and His grace.
The powerful imagery of the "cold Jordan," "deep waters," and "mighty billows roar" contribute to the song's ominous and foreboding tone, suggesting that crossing Jordan implies significant challenges and obstacles. However, the song continually emphasizes the need for Jesus as a "true companion" during these challenges, implying that if one has faith in Him, they will inevitably make it through.
The lyrics also include a question and answer format that suggests the singer is addressing the listener or congregation, indicating an element of communal spirituality inherent in gospel music.
Line by Line Meaning
Come in as you tread life's journey
Enter this world as you take upon the journey of life
Take Jesus as your daily guide
Make Jesus your guide and follow his teachings daily
Though you may feel pure and safely
Even if you think you're morally upright and secure
Without Him walking by your side
Without Jesus accompanying you throughout your journey
But when you come to make the crossing
When it's time to cross over and leave this world
At the ending of your pilgrim's way
At the conclusion of your spiritual journey
If you ever will meet our Savior
If you ever hope to meet Jesus
You'll surely meet Him on that day
You'll definitely encounter him on that day
Now look at that cold Jordan
Take a glimpse of the River Jordan, representing the moment of death
Look at these deep waters
Observe the unavoidable nature of death
Look at that wide river
Contemplate the vastness of the unknown afterlife
Oh hear the mighty billows roar
Pay attention to the sounds of uncertainty and danger associated with death
You'd better take Jesus with you
It's advisable to have Jesus accompany you in life and afterlife
He's a true companion
Jesus will be a faithful and loyal companion
For I'm sure without Him
Because I'm certain that without him
That you never will make it o'er
You won't overcome the challenges of death without him
That awful Day of Judgment
The impending and frightening Day of Judgment
Is coming in the by and by
Will eventually arrive in the future
We'll see our Lord descending
We'll witness Jesus descending from the heavens
In Glory from on high
In all his majesty and splendor
So let us keep in touch with Jesus
Let's maintain our connection with Jesus
And in his grace the Love of God
And through his compassion, experience the Love of God
That we may be ever called ready
So that we always remain prepared
When He calls us over Jordan's Tide
When Jesus summons us to cross over the River Jordan
Oh what, what you gonna do
What actions will you take
Oh what, what you gonna do
What preparations will you make
Oh how, how you gonna feel
What emotions will you experience
When you come to the end of the Way
When you reach the end of your life journey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED RICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind