Farther Along
Emmylou Harris feat. Dolly Parton & Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong
When death has come and taken our loved ones, it leaves our home so lonely and dreary
Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it; farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by
Faithful till death said our loving master; a few more days to labor and wait
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing as we sweep through the beautiful gates
Yes, we'll understand it all by and by
The lyrics of "Farther Along" by Emmylou Harris express the common human experience of being tested and tried in life, wondering why some people seem to suffer more than others. The song acknowledges that even when we lose loved ones and face difficult trials, it seems that wicked people around us continue to thrive. The refrain speaks of a hope that in the future, we will understand why things happened the way they did.
The first verse of the song presents the common human experience of questioning why life is so difficult, and why some people seem to have it easy while others suffer. The second verse acknowledges that when we lose loved ones, it can be very difficult to reconcile our loss with the seeming success of evil people around us. The chorus reminds us that, despite our struggles, there is hope for understanding and peace in the future, and urges the listener to "live in the sunshine" until that time comes.
The third verse of the song speaks about being faithful to one's beliefs even unto death, and looking forward to the rewards of the afterlife. The final chorus repeats the refrain, reminding us that someday we will be able to understand the trials of this life, and bringing the song to a hopeful conclusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long
When we're tempted to do things that we know are wrong, we're often made to wonder why we struggle with this day in and day out.
While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong
We often see people around us who are doing wrong and seem to be getting away with it, while we struggle even when we're doing the right thing.
When death has come and taken our loved ones, it leaves our home so lonely and dreary
When someone we love dies, it feels like our home is no longer filled with life and joy, but rather sadness and emptiness.
Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year
It's hard not to question why those who live their lives in a wicked way seem to be prospering year after year, while good people struggle and suffer.
Farther along we'll know all about it; farther along we'll understand why
As we move forward in life, we'll gain understanding and clarity about why things happen the way they do.
Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by
We should strive to stay positive and live our lives in a bright and joyful way, with the hope that we will eventually gain complete understanding of life's mysteries.
Faithful till death said our loving master; a few more days to labor and wait
Our godly master said that we should remain faithful until our deaths, and though we may have many more days of hard work and waiting, we must continue to have faith.
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing as we sweep through the beautiful gates
Once we've completed our hard work and waiting, the difficulties of our journey will seem small and insignificant when we finally reach our beautiful reward - heaven.
Farther along we'll know all about it...
Again, we'll gain more knowledge and understanding as we continue on our journey through life.
Yes, we'll understand it all by and by
Ultimately, we will gain a complete understanding of life's mysteries in the end.
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ELVIS PRESLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fredupchurch4925
After the first 15+ times I listened to this when the album was released, I had what I thought was a good understanding of the display of the voices, production values, and arrangements here. I saw that the album was 'good. The inspiration and craft was obvious. I and others liked it and played it often. Time passed. Everything changed as it always does. I passed my musical attention to other things.
Many years later, I hear and understand music differently. A lifetime of playing and loving music has passed since those times when I first heard this piece. I appreciate this music and its' inspiration far more now than I did then. Time passes, as it must; and we ourselves change.
This means, for me, that I now hear this with different ears that hear far more now than I did back then. The components of the music have not changed. Now, years later, I can hear that there was much, much more going on!
All this is to say that this portrayal of music offers the listener vastly different levels of involvement. The genius here is that every track stands on its' own for a casual listener. The basic lines are easily understood. But at the same time, very complex musical ideas are also there. Both the simple and the complex co-exist without interfering or contradicting each other.
This is very exceptional artistry. Further, deponent sayeth not.
@billfindon8968
The lyrics to the song were written in 1911 by Rev. W. A. Fletcher, an
itinerant preacher, while he was traveling to the Indian Territories by
train. Fletcher was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting
their first-born child in a few weeks and he wouldn't be present for the
occasion. He felt that his priorities were with his ministry in the
Indian Territories and wrote the lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at
the time. Sitting next to him on the train was J. R. Baxter, a gospel
music promoter who was quite taken with the lyrics that Fletcher was
writing and offered him $2.00 for them. Mr. Baxter subsequently had them
put to music and the song has been quite popular in the gospel music
arena ever since.
The song deals with a Christian's dismay at the
apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of
the righteous. The repeated theme is that, in Heaven, the truth will be
revealed.
@elmuanhangzo8919
Farther along, in His grace, will I understand it all, all in His good time.
@darlingtonekabaghe7695
Rev Fletcher was God given wisdom to write this .Glory .it makes me cry when l hear this song.
@rhondaboncutter5812
People, take a breath and look at the news, all the unrest here in our Country and around the world! Take God into your heart, be ready! God Bless us all!
@rhondaboncutter5812
Recently, so much unrest, I am so worried about what is gonna happen to our world! God Bless us and keep us all safe! Jesus Name , Amen!
@kathleenmccarthy9828
Here I am 7 yrs later singing this song at my cousins funeral who dies at 45yrs old…rest in peace amber jolley.
@rhondaboncutter5812
Amen!
@CastleMr40
I did not know D. Parton wrote this beautiful song. The day Elvis died, I got out my Elvis record collection and began playing it from beginning to end. I found this song on one of Elvis' albums. I had never played it before. It was the perfect song for the day Elvis died. I took it to the radio station where I worked and had the deejay pay it the next morning.
@katsview928
Dolly Parton did not write this song....It was written in 1911 by Reverend W.A. Fletcher while traveling on a train through Indian territories. Even though he was feeling depressed because his wife was expecting their first child and he wasn't going to be there for the birth. He still felt that his priorities were with his ministry and wrote these lyrics to reflect his frame of mind at the time. A gospel music prompter, J.R. Baxter, happened to be sitting beside him on the train, and loved the lyrics...he subsequently offered him $2.00 for them, had them put to music, and as they say.......the rest is history
@fukeungchan2280
Great Trios song brings back remember memories of my beautiful wife forever love always tears from heart xxxxxxxxxx
@eliseerudahigwaofficial4876
God bless your family for this legacy!