Bibb was born on 16th August 1951 in New York into a musical family. His father, Leon Bibb, is a trained singer who sang in musical theatre and made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the world-famous jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Family friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, Bibb'sgodfather.
Bibb was given his first steel-string guitar when he was seven years old. Growing up surrounded by talent, he recalls a childhood conversation with Bob Dylan, who, on the subject of guitar playing advised the eleven-year-old Bibb to "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff".
At sixteen years old, Bibb's father invited him to play guitar in the house band for his television talent show Someone New. Bibb's early musical heroes were from his father's band, and included Bill Lee (father of director Spike), who appeared on Bibb's album Me To You, years later.
In 1969, Bibb played guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company at St Mark's place in New York, and went on to study Psychology and Russian at Colombia University, but at the age of nineteen he left for Paris, where a meeting with guitarist Mickey Baker focused his interest in blues guitar. When he later moved to Sweden, Bibb found a creative environment which took him back to Greenwich Village during the heyday of the folk revival. Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues and continued to write and perform.
The album Good Stuff was released in 1997, and led to Bibb signing to the British based Code Blue label. Eric's only release on Code Blue was Me to You, featuring appearances from some of Bibb's personal heroes in Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal (who also worked with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's record, Shakin' a Tailfeather). The album furthered Bibb's international reputation and was followed by tours of the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.
In the late 1990s Bibb joined forces with his then manager, Alan Robinson, to form Manhaton Records, in Britain. The albums Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001) followed, as did another Opus 3 release, Just Like Love.
A Ship Called Love
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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People I know you know it's time, to get on board.
By the stars up above, we'll steer through storm and gale.
And by the grace of god, we'll land, on that peaceful shore
We need every hand on deck.
You know the seas are gonna get rough.
But love's the right stuff, to get us over.
We'll there's a place, for everyone.
No matter what grace of creed.
Might have to leave our possesions behind, travel light.
No need to push, no need to shove, because we're all a family.
Brothers and sisters help each other, it's gonna be alright.
We need every hand on deck.
You know the seas are gonna get rough.
But love's the right stuff, oh yes it is, to get us over.
And We need every faithful heart
Otherwise, we'll [take it?]
Love the only ship, that can make it across
Ooohhh oooh oh...
We need every hand on deck.
You know the seas are gonna get rough.
But love's the right stuff, to get us over.
We'll there's a ship, called love, gettin' ready to sail.
And people I know you know it's time, to get on board.
Yes I know you know it's time.
I know you know it's time, to get on board.
Eric Bibb's song "A Ship Called Love" is an ode to the power of love to help us through rough times. It compares love to a ship that will get us to safety amidst the stormy seas of life. The song begins by introducing the ship, called love, that will soon set sail. It urges people to get on board and reminds them that by the grace of God, they will land on a peaceful shore. The second verse speaks to the need for everyone to work together to make the journey successful. No matter what creed or possessions someone has, there is a place for them on the ship. It encourages people to travel light and support each other as if they were family. The chorus repeats the message that we need everyone's help to get through the rough times, but with love as our guide, we will make it across the seas. The song ends with a reminder that it's time to get on board, encouraging listeners to embrace love and find peace.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll there's a ship, called love, gettin' ready to sail.
Love is a vehicle that can take us to a better place.
People I know you know it's time, to get on board.
It's time to embrace love and make positive changes in our lives.
By the stars up above, we'll steer through storm and gale.
With love, we can navigate through difficult times.
And by the grace of god, we'll land, on that peaceful shore
Through perseverance, we can reach a peaceful and happy place.
We need every hand on deck.
We need everyone's support and contribution.
You know the seas are gonna get rough.
There will be challenges, but with love, we can overcome them.
But love's the right stuff, to get us over.
Love is the key to overcoming challenges.
We'll there's a place, for everyone.
Everyone has a place in a loving community.
No matter what grace of creed.
Regardless of beliefs or backgrounds, we can come together in love.
Might have to leave our possesions behind, travel light.
In pursuing love, material possessions are not important.
No need to push, no need to shove, because we're all a family.
We can work together peacefully towards a common goal in a loving community.
We need every faithful heart.
We need everyone to believe in love and work towards it.
Otherwise, we'll [take it?]
If we don't have faith in love, we may struggle to reach our destination.
Love the only ship, that can make it across
Only through love can we overcome challenges and reach a better place.
Yes I know you know it's time.
It's time to embrace love.
I know you know it's time, to get on board.
It's time to join together in love and make positive changes in our lives and communities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Eric Bibb, Glen Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind