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.
Angel
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She stayed with me just long enough to recue me
And she told me a story yesterday,
About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea
And then she spread her wings high over me
She said she's gonna come back tomorrow
And I said 'fly on my sweet angel,
Fly on my sweet angel,
Tomorrow I'm gonna be by your side'
Sure enough this morning came unto me
Silver wings silhouetted against the child's sunrise
And my angel she said unto me
'today is the day for you to rise,
Take my hand, you're gonna be my man,
You're gonna rise'
And she took me high over yonder
And I said 'fly on my sweet angel,
Fly on through the sky,
Fly on my sweet angel,
Forever I will be by your side'
The song "Angel" by Eric Bibb is a mesmerizing piece about an angel who came down from heaven to save him. The lyrics describe how this angel came to him, stayed with him for a while, and told him a story about the love between the moon and the deep blue sea. Through the lyrics, Bibb paints a picture of the beauty of this interaction between the celestial bodies, and the message of love and rescue that the angels bring.
The second paragraph continues the story, with the angel visiting Bibb the next morning and telling him that it's time for him to rise up and be her man. The imagery of the "silver wings silhouetted against the child's sunrise" sets the stage for a new day, a new beginning. As the angel takes Bibb's hand and carries him higher, the lyrics express the joy and appreciation of being saved and loved by an angel in the sky.
Overall, the lyrics of "Angel" by Eric Bibb are deeply spiritual and expressive, with a message of love and salvation that is both soothing and uplifting. The song is a reminder of the powers of love and the oneness with the divine that we can all experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel came down from heaven yesterday
An angel appeared before me yesterday
She stayed with me just long enough to recue me
The angel helped me when I needed it and then left
And she told me a story yesterday,
The angel shared a tale with me
About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea
The story was about the love between the moon and the sea
And then she spread her wings high over me
The angel extended her wings above me
She said she's gonna come back tomorrow
The angel promised to return the next day
And I said 'fly on my sweet angel,
I told the angel to fly freely
Fly on through the sky,
To soar through the heavens
Tomorrow I'm gonna be by your side'
I will be with the angel tomorrow
Sure enough this morning came unto me
The next day arrived
Silver wings silhouetted against the child's sunrise
I saw the angel's silver wings against the sunrise
And my angel she said unto me
The angel spoke to me again
'today is the day for you to rise,
Today is when you will elevate
Take my hand, you're gonna be my man,
Come with me and be my companion
You're gonna rise'
You will ascend
And she took me high over yonder
The angel transported me to a distant place
Forever I will be by your side'
I will always stay with the angel
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michellemorales842
I just love this man's music. I was heartbroken and devastated when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in march 2015. During this period I was also dumped by my fiance after a four year relationship. It was during this time I found his music. It saved me and renewed my spirit. He is an angel to me. Thank you Creator for this wonderful man:)
@missellendiane
+Michelle Morales I hope you are better.... xx
@LonesomeCowgirl
+Michelle Morales So sorry to hear about everything you had to go through. That man is an angel for sure, glad you found him on your path! <3
@michellemorales842
+Cécile Clerc. Thank you. i am doing well. Had my last surgery yesterday. i am cancer free now. Creator has healed me mind , soul, and body.
@michellemorales842
+Ellen Diane. Thank you for your prayers. i just had my last surgery yesterday. Creator has healed me mind, soul and body. Thank you so much for your compassion
@LonesomeCowgirl
This is great news, Michelle! This is a new start for you--enjoy it, and go on listening to Eric (Magic Bibb as I call him). I very recently lost my father, and I find it's about the only music I can listen to for the moment <3
@multisockmonkey
If you get a chance - see him live. He's a great performer
@kingdaniel69
Seen Eric a few times now here in Australia. True gent and a true genius and all with a voice like an angel.
@virginiedolly6216
Vu en concert en France il y a deux ans, juste extraordinaire, le prince du rythm' n blues👌
@Jarrahnut
That's a very powerful performance! Well done, Eric Bibb!