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.
Right on Time
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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When I got there to my surprise
My neighbours were gone and the preacher too
I cried ′oh lord' what shall I do
Then a voice cried out so loud and plain
I heard some one call my name
Singing your Right On Time
It was John saying your Right On Time
Up on a mountain one cloudy day
I closed my eyes and I began to pray
When I opend my eyes you know the sun broke through
My heart was happy and my soul was new
I started walking and before too long
I heard his voice sing this song
Singing your Right On Time
Your Right On Time
It was John saying your Right On Time
Went to the station endin for that rain
Made up my mind to ride that gospel train
When I got there the train was picking up speed
I cried oh lord and fell on my knees
When the brakeman heard he slowed that train right down
When I jumped on board he said your glory bound
Singing your Right On Time
Your Right On Time
It was John saying your Right On Time
Oh when I feel like every hope has died
I remember that voice by the water side
Singing your Right On Time
Your Right On Time
It was John saying your Right On Time
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's song "Right on Time" invite listeners to reflect on the concept of divine timing and how it intersects with personal experiences of faith. The first stanza describes a moment of disappointment and confusion when the singer arrives at the river only to find that the people they expected to be there have disappeared. In this moment of doubt, a voice calls out to them, reminding them that they are "Right On Time" and that John the Baptist approves of their journey.
The second stanza takes place in a different setting but follows a similar pattern. The singer finds themselves on a mountain, praying for guidance, and a moment of clarity comes when the sun breaks through the clouds, filling their heart and soul with joy. Once again, John appears to remind them that they are "Right On Time." Finally, in the third stanza, the singer is at the station, ready to board the "gospel train" but feeling uncertain about whether they are truly meant to be on this path. Once again, John's voice reassures them that they are "Right On Time" and destined for glory.
Overall, the song suggests that faith is often tested by moments of doubt and uncertainty, but that divine guidance is always available for those who are open to it. The repeated refrain of "Right On Time" serves as a reminder that even when things don't go according to plan, there is a higher purpose at work.
Line by Line Meaning
Went to the river to be baptised
I went to the river for a baptismal ceremony
When I got there to my surprise
I was surprised to see that my neighbors and the preacher were not there
My neighbours were gone and the preacher too
Neither my neighbors nor the preacher were present at the river
I cried ′oh lord' what shall I do
I felt helpless and cried out to God for guidance
Then a voice cried out so loud and plain
Suddenly, a voice cried out clearly and loudly
I heard some one call my name
I heard someone calling out my name
Singing your Right On Time
The voice was singing that I had come at the right time
Your Right On Time
The voice was confirming that I had arrived at the right time
It was John saying your Right On Time
The voice belonged to John, who was saying that I arrived at the right time
Up on a mountain one cloudy day
One cloudy day, I went up a mountain
I closed my eyes and I began to pray
I closed my eyes and started to pray
When I opend my eyes you know the sun broke through
When I opened my eyes, the sun had broken through the clouds
My heart was happy and my soul was new
My heart was filled with joy and my soul felt renewed
I started walking and before too long
I began to walk, and it didn't take me long to hear someone singing
I heard his voice sing this song
I heard John's voice singing this song
Went to the station endin for that rain
I went to the train station to catch a ride
Made up my mind to ride that gospel train
I decided to board the gospel train
When I got there the train was picking up speed
When I arrived at the station, the train was already moving fast
I cried oh lord and fell on my knees
I cried out to God and fell to my knees
When the brakeman heard he slowed that train right down
The brakeman heard me crying out and he slowed the train down
When I jumped on board he said your glory bound
When I boarded the train, the brakeman said that I was bound for glory
Oh when I feel like every hope has died
Whenever I feel that all hope is lost
I remember that voice by the water side
I remember John's voice by the river
Singing your Right On Time
John's voice was singing that I arrived at the right time
Your Right On Time
John's voice was confirming that I arrived at the right time
It was John saying your Right On Time
John's voice was assuring me that I arrived at the right time
Writer(s): Eric Charles Bibb
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.