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.
Get Onboard
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowin' through the air
Tellin' everyone you don't need no fare
Talkin' 'bout a love train - comin' 'round the bend
Go tell your mother an' your father
Sister, brother, children, tell your friends
Drop whatever you're doin'
You wanna get onboard before it's too late
Talkin' 'bout a love train -
Don't need no ticket to ride
Make sure you're waiting' at the station
With your neighbor, with your heart
Open wide
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Can't you hear the train comin'
Comin' down the track
On a one-way journey - ain't comin' back
Talkin' 'bout a love train -
Won't be stopping long
There's room for everybody
Whether you're rich or poor
Weak or strong
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
This train is bound for a land of milk an' honey
Don't you wanna go?
To get onboard, Lord knows
You don't need money
But you sure need brotherly love
Don't you hear the whistle blowin'
Blowin' through the air
Tellin' everyone you don't need no fare
Talkin' 'bout the love train - comin' 'round the bend
Go tell your mother an' your father
Sister, brother, children, tell your friends
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Open the door, open the door
Open the door - get onboard
Get onboard
In "Get Onboard," Eric Bibb is inviting listeners to hop on a metaphorical train, representing a journey towards love and acceptance. The train whistle serves as a symbol for the message, which blows through the air, prompting people to join. Unlike a real train, this journey does not require a ticket or money. Instead, Bibb stresses the importance of brotherly love, an inclusive message that welcomes all passengers regardless of social status, income or physical strength. He encourages everyone to inform their parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors about this journey to ensure that no one gets left behind.
The song has a sense of urgency, with a warning that the train won't wait and to drop whatever you're doing to get onboard before it's too late. The train represents a chance to reach a land of milk and honey, a biblical reference to a place of abundance and flourishing. This land does not exist physically but represents a state of mind where love and harmony prevail, and one can feel a sense of belonging. Bibb's use of metaphor and imagery elevates "Get Onboard" from just a catchy tune and turns it into a powerful message for social change.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you hear the whistle blowin'
Listen to the invitation calling you to be part of a movement.
Blowin' through the air
The invitation is universal and directed towards everyone.
Tellin' everyone you don't need no fare
You don't require money or any material wealth to hop on this train. Love is the only requirement.
Talkin' 'bout a love train - comin' 'round the bend
The invitation is to jump on a train that is all about love which is soon arriving.
Go tell your mother an' your father
Sister, brother, children, tell your friends
Spread the message of love and let everyone know about the invitation.
Drop whatever you're doin'
This train won't wait
Do away with anything that might stop you from getting on and do it quickly; time is of the essence.
You wanna get onboard before it's too late
Act now before the window of opportunity closes and you miss out.
Don't need no ticket to ride
No proof of ownership or admission is necessary - just bring your heart.
Make sure you're waitin' at the station
With your neighbor, with your heart
Open wide
Be alert, enthusiastic, and welcoming to all those who want to come aboard the love train.
Can't you hear the train comin'
Comin' down the track
On a one-way journey - ain't comin' back
The train is making a one-way trip and it's coming closer to departing time.
Won't be stopping long
There's room for everybody
Whether you're rich or poor
Weak or strong
The train will only stop briefly and there's space for all regardless of your social or economic standing.
This train is bound for a land of milk an' honey
Don't you wanna go?
The train is headed towards a destination that symbolizes a place where you can live a good life - don't you desire that?
To get onboard, Lord knows
You don't need money
But you sure need brotherly love
God knows the only ticket you need is love which is the ultimate prerequisite.
Open the door - get onboard
The door to the train is open, so go and get on board.
Get onboard
Be a part of the love train and embrace the love that never ends.
Writer(s): Eric Bibb
Contributed by Tyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoJoTandTheJuice
WE SHOULD NAME ERIC .. REV. ERIC BIBB .. HE HIS SO GOOD AND MOST OF HIS SONGS ARE LIKE IF HE'S PREACHING THE GOOD WORD ! THANKS FOR THE GREAT GUITAR LESSONS , YOU'VE TAUGHT MORE IN JUST A FEW THEN MOST HAVE IN A COMPLETE COURSE ! I GUESS I'VE BEEN WAITING ON YOU A LONG TIME ! LIKE ALMOST 30YEARS ! tHANKS JOJO TAYLOR !
@musicforparties
What a man! He is the real deal. Thanks for sharing.
@mohawkbell
Welcome to the love of freedom and I bet it also is called the Freedom train.
@pareidolights
well well well
@tcrm
Please i need lyrics off this song, i cant found in internet.
Help me please
Thankss
Porfavor necesito la letra de esta canción, habría alguien que pudiera facilitarmela.
Ayuda porfavor
GRACIAS
@Shannonbarnesdr1
listen to the song, , learn the lyrics