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.
I Heard the Angels Singin
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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I heard the angels singing
I heard a voice, I saw no one
I heard the angels singing
What you reckon the angels said
I heard the angels singing
Your sins is forgiven and your soul is free
I heard the angels singing
I heard the angels singing to me
I seen an old devil walk down my way
I heard the angels singing
What you reckon the devil said
I heard the angels singing
He said that heaven's door is closed, go home don't pray
But I heard the angels singing
I said get back sit down, get out of my way
I heard the angels singing
I don't wanna hear another word you say
Oh I heard the angels singing
Oh yes, I heard the angels singing
Just when I thought my soul was lost
I heard the angels singing
My dungeon was shook, my chains dropped off
I heard them singing
The people come running, saying what's it all about
I heard the angels singing
The holy ghost hit me, I could not help but shout
I heard the angels singing
When I went down in the valley one day
I heard the angels singing to me
I seen an old devil walk down my way
I heard the angels singing
I said get back sit down, get out of my way
I heard the angels
I don't wanna hear another word you say
Woo! I heard 'em singing
In that great getting up morning
I heard the angels singing to me
In that great getting up morning and I, whoo!
You know I heard the angels, hallelujah!
The song "I Heard the Angels Singing" by Eric Bibb is a spiritual gospel song that explores the power of faith and salvation. The first stanza of the song talks about how the singer went down into the valley and heard the angels singing to him. The second stanza talks about how he saw the devil walk down his way, but he refused to listen to his words and instead listened to the angels' singing. The third stanza talks about how the holy ghost hit him and how he could not help but shout. The song ends with the singer celebrating his salvation and looking forward to the "great getting up morning."
The song is a powerful statement about the transformative power of faith and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer's refusal to listen to the devil's words and his dedication to listening to the angels' singing represent the importance of staying steadfast in one's beliefs, even in the face of temptation or doubt. The song also emphasizes the idea that salvation is not just an abstract concept, but something that can be experienced in a very tangible way.
Overall, "I Heard the Angels Singing" is a stirring gospel song that speaks to the power of faith and the hope that comes from the belief in salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down in the valley one day
Eric Bibb is reminiscing about a day he went down to the valley
I heard the angels singing
He could hear the celestial beings singing
I heard a voice, I saw no one
Eric Bibb heard a voice, but there was nobody around
What you reckon the angels said
He's wondering what the angels were singing about
Your sins is forgiven and your soul is free
The angels were singing about him being forgiven and released for his sins
I heard the angels singing to me
The angels were singing directly to Eric Bibb
I seen an old devil walk down my way
He narrates the appearance of the devil on his path
He said that heaven's door is closed, go home don't pray
The devil told Eric Bibb that the door to heaven was shut and he shouldn't bother praying
But I heard the angels singing
Despite the devil's discouragement, Eric Bibb still heard the angels singing
I said get back sit down, get out of my way
He told the devil to move out of the way
I don't wanna hear another word you say
Eric Bibb didn't want to hear anything else the devil had to say
Just when I thought my soul was lost
He thought his soul was gone forever
My dungeon was shook, my chains dropped off
He had a spiritual awakening where he felt free and released from his past
The people come running, saying what's it all about
The people witnessed Eric Bibb's spiritual experience and were curious
The holy ghost hit me, I could not help but shout
Eric Bibb describes feeling the holy ghost and being compelled to shout
Woo! I heard 'em singing
Eric Bibb expresses excitement about hearing the angels singing
In that great getting up morning
He refers to the morning of the resurrection
Hallelujah! You know I heard the angels
He rejoices because he had an experience where he heard the angels singing Hallelujah
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TRAD, ERIC CHARLES BIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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!