The trio's fans were amazed by the lightning style, precise technique highly lyrical solos of the band’s 18 year old guitarist Phil Keaggy, who had the use of only nine fingers. Combined with the tasteful, rhythmic bass lines of Daniel Pecchio and the sharp, assertive drumming of John Sferra, Glass Harp created a wall of sound that thrilled sell-out crowds across the upper Midwest and beyond. They garnered a large and loyal regional following. National notoriety followed when they toured with Traffic, Yes, The Kinks, Humble Pie, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, and Grand Funk Railroad. Through the efforts of manager Chip Killinger, they connected with Lewis Merenstein, and with him, even greater national attention came with the release of the band's three critically- acclaimed Decca(MCA) LPs: Glass Harp, Synergy, and It Makes Me Glad. The band's highly energetic and wildly improvisational live concerts fueled the band's legend. Concert goers from the Fillmore West to Carnegie Hall turned into instant fans.
Glass Harp's music has been cited as an influence over an astounding variety of artists, from guitar heroes (Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Rick Derringer) and jam bands (Derek Trucks Band, Ekoostik Hookah, Col. Bruce Hampton & The Code Talkers), to progressive rock (Kansas, Adrian Belew, Mike Keneally, Spock's Beard) and even heavy metal (King's X, P.O.D.). In their short life, the band made an indelible mark on the history of rock 'n' roll.
The band dissolved on the cusp of achieving mainstream rock stardom when Phil Keaggy left to become a pioneer in Christian music. It's within this scene that Phil found a home releasing 50 solo recordings, performing live throughout the world. With his Christian music recordings Phil has earned 5 Dove awards, 2 Grammy nominations, 2 Nashville Music Awards, and he has finished #2 and #3 twice each in the annual Guitar Player Magazine poll.
In 1997 the band acquired and released the “Live at Carnegie Hall” recording that was made in 1972. Glass Harp reunited in 2000 for a show at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2000 they recorded the "Live with The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra" CD in their hometown. The concert was recorded and independently released in 2001 on the “Strings Attached” CD. Response to the CD was great and created more opportunities to play live. In 2002 they began work on their first studio project in 30 years. They recorded 16 songs at Blue Desert Recording on "The Row" in Nashville and in Phil's home studio. The 2003 CD HOURGLASS was mixed in Ohio and mastered in Nashville with Richard Dodd.They released the "Hourglass" studio CD in 2003, and the triple-live album "Stark Raving Jams" in 2004. They toured in 2003 and 2004. Glass Harp has rekindled interest amongst longtime fans while finding an entire new generation of listeners through the internet and live concerts.
I'm Going Home
Glass Harp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in a danger zone (Oh no!)
Walking around with both eyes closed (Oh no!)
Someone said "I've got good news" (Oh yeah!)
I listened and I couldn't refuse (Oh yeah!)
And I'm going home (Yeah!)
Yes I'm going home (Yeah!)
I'm going home some day
Now I've got a song to sing (Oh yeah!)
Something new came over me (Oh yeah!)
And I've got a "blessed hope" (Oh yeah!)
Cause my Jesus died for me (Oh yeah!)
The lyrics to Glass Harp's song I'm Going Home convey a sense of spiritual awakening and a journey towards redemption. The opening lines paint a picture of living in a danger zone, walking around with both eyes closed. This suggests a life lived recklessly, with little thought for personal safety or consequence. However, the mood changes drastically when the singer hears good news that he cannot refuse.
The good news is likely to refer to the message of Jesus and his sacrifice for humankind. The singer feels a sense of liberation and joy from this message, shown by the repeated exclamation of "Oh yeah!" Once he has accepted this new message, the singer is now able to confidently state that he is going home someday. This could mean returning to a place of everlasting peace and rest with God, or simply a metaphorical homecoming after living a life of spiritual struggle and confusion.
The final lines highlight the transformation that has taken place within the singer. He now has a song to sing, something new came over him, and he has a blessed hope. This implies a newfound sense of purpose and meaning that comes with embracing the message of Jesus. The repeated use of "Oh yeah" emphasises the singer's jubilation and newfound hope.
Overall, Glass Harp's I'm Going Home is a powerful message of redemption and the transformative power of faith. It shows how a person can turn their life around by accepting a spiritual message and finding a new sense of meaning and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Living in a danger zone (Oh no!)
Living in a situation that poses a threat to my safety and well-being, causing me to feel nervous and scared.
Walking around with both eyes closed (Oh no!)
Moving through life blindly, without paying attention to the realities and dangers of the world around me.
Someone said "I’ve got good news" (Oh yeah!)
Hearing a message of hope that promises to help or improve my situation, leading me to feel excited and optimistic.
I listened and I couldn’t refuse (Oh yeah!)
Being convinced by the good news and deciding to act upon it, making a commitment to follow through with its promises.
And I’m going home (Yeah!)
Referring to heaven as home, a place of safety and comfort where I will find peace and rest.
I’m going some day
Acknowledging that my journey to heaven may not be immediate, but will happen at some point in the future.
Yes I’m going home (Yeah!)
Affirming my belief and hope that I will one day reach heaven and be reunited with God.
I’m going home some day
Reiterating my previous statement and emphasizing that it will happen in the future.
Now I’ve got a song to sing (Oh yeah!)
Feeling joyful and grateful for the hope and promise of eternal life, and expressing it through music and worship.
Something new came over me (Oh yeah!)
Experiencing a significant change or transformation in my life due to my faith and hope in God.
And I’ve got a "blessed hope" (Oh yeah!)
Referring to the hope of eternal life in heaven as a source of great joy and blessing.
Cause my Jesus died for me (Oh yeah!)
Grateful for the sacrificial love of Jesus, who died on the cross to save me from my sins and secure my place in heaven.
Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.