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.
Tall Cotton
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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Keep a song in your heart an' a truth on your tongue
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
You'll be walkin′ in tall cotton all your days
Well, the years rolled by an′ I done all I could
To follow her advice an' it turned out good
I been walkin′ in tall cotton all of my days
Tol′ my good friend Zora on the telephone
Though the past has gone an' the future′s unknown
You'll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
You′ll be walkin′ in tall cotton all your days
Well, I know where I'm goin′ an' who′s goin' with me
Place full of joy, so, baby, please don′t quit me
I'll be walkin' with you in tall cotton all our days
We′ll be walkin′ in tall cotton all of our days
It's a long way to heaven an′ then again, it's here an′ now
If ya know where to find it, - my great grandma tol' me how
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
You'll be walkin′ in tall cotton all your days
Another thing she tol′ me when I was a child
Keep a shiny pair of shoes, child, you'll always be in style
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
The lyrics to Eric Bibb's song "Tall Cotton" convey a message of wisdom and guidance passed down from the singer's great grandma. The first stanza sets the tone by relaying the advice to keep a song in your heart and speak the truth, symbolizing a life filled with happiness and integrity. This phrase "walkin' in tall cotton" is a metaphor that refers to a person's prosperity and success.
As the years go by, the singer reflects on how diligently they followed their great grandma's counsel and how it turned out well for them. They have been walking in tall cotton, meaning they have achieved a life of abundance and fulfillment. The repetition of this line reinforces the idea that they have consistently enjoyed a prosperous existence.
The singer then conveys this wisdom to a friend named Zora, emphasizing that even though the past is gone and the future is uncertain, they will continue to experience a prosperous life. This message of hope and optimism is shared with the friend, indicating that they too can thrive and prosper.
The song also suggests a romantic relationship between the singer and someone dear to them. It is implied that they will continue to walk in tall cotton together, signifying a shared life of abundance and happiness. This connection adds depth to the song and highlights the importance of having a loving partner by one's side.
Overall, "Tall Cotton" is a song that celebrates the guidance of wise ancestors, the pursuit of a prosperous life, and the power of love and companionship in achieving personal success and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
My great grandma tol′ me when I was young
When I was a child, my great grandma gave me some advice
Keep a song in your heart an' a truth on your tongue
Always carry a song in your heart and speak the truth
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
If you do these things, you will be successful and happy throughout your life
Well, the years rolled by an′ I done all I could
As time passed, I did everything I could to follow her advice
To follow her advice an' it turned out good
Following her advice turned out well for me
I been walkin′ in tall cotton all of my days
As a result, I have been successful and content throughout my life
Tol′ my good friend Zora on the telephone
I shared this wisdom with my dear friend Zora over the phone
Though the past has gone an' the future′s unknown
Even though the past is behind us and the future is uncertain
You'll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
If you follow this advice, you will also be successful and content throughout your life
Well, I know where I'm goin′ an' who′s goin' with me
I am confident about my direction in life and the people who will accompany me
Place full of joy, so, baby, please don't quit me
We will be in a joyful place together, so please don't abandon me
I'll be walkin' with you in tall cotton all our days
We will both be successful and content throughout our lives together
It's a long way to heaven an' then again, it's here an' now
Reaching a state of happiness and fulfillment may seem far, but it can also be found in the present moment
If ya know where to find it, - my great grandma tol' me how
If you know how to recognize and appreciate it, you can find happiness, as my great grandma taught me
Another thing she tol′ me when I was a child
My great grandma also told me something else when I was young
Keep a shiny pair of shoes, child, you'll always be in style
Always make sure to have nice shoes, as it contributes to your overall style and appearance
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
If you take care of your appearance, you will continue to be successful and content throughout your life
You′ll be walkin' in tall cotton all your days
This advice will lead to a life of prosperity and satisfaction
Writer(s): Eric Charles Bibb
Contributed by Sebastian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.