During the 1980s, his reputation was established through frequent touring and recurring performances on A Prairie Home Companion. Subsequently, his work has been nominated for Grammy awards. He also founded his own record label and named it Red House Records after a home he lived in in Iowa. Red House Records is an independent record label specializing in folk music, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Well known folk artists have signed with Red House Records over the years include Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Tom Paxton and Loudin Wainwright III. A Red House Records compilation, A Nod to Bob, was said to be a tribute from a Minnesota label to a favorite native son - guess who?
On November 21, 2002 he married the singer-songwriter Iris DeMent. His daughters (from a previous marriage) are also musicians.
From: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Brown_%28folk_musician%29
Bonus
Greg Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
I've got the blues, Lord.
Oh, Lord, why don't it pay,
To fight the good fight, day after day?
My tithe is on time but my rent is late!
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
I've got the blues, Lord.
Times are getting tight. They're too hard to shake.
I'm hurt and down-hearted. ‘Too tired to fake.
I'm hearing in Your Word, there's some hope.
I gotta have it now, Lord. Throw me a rope!
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
I've got the blues, Lord.
Help me, Lord. I'm coming unglued.
I've got nowhere to turn, so I'm turnin' to You.
‘Putting all my faith, in Your hands. In You, the Holy Spirit and the Son of Man!
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got the blues, Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
I've got the blues, Lord.
In the song "Bonus" by Greg Brown, the lyrics speak of a deep sense of melancholy and longing for spiritual guidance. The repeated refrain of "I've got the blues, Lord" emphasizes the singer's emotional state and their desperate need for solace. They express a feeling of being lost and hurt, yearning for some sort of uplifting message or revelation.
The lines "Oh, Lord, why don't it pay, to fight the good fight, day after day?" reflect a sense of frustration and weariness. The singer is questioning the lack of reward or fulfillment they receive despite their efforts to lead a righteous life. They mention working hard and following a righteous path but still facing financial struggles, as indicated by the line "My tithe is on time but my rent is late." This highlights the juxtaposition between their commitment to their faith and the harsh reality of their circumstances.
The verse about times getting tight and feeling down-hearted reflects a state of emotional and physical exhaustion. The singer is searching for hope, desperate for a lifeline to pull them out of their despair. They turn to the Lord, expressing a plea for help and guidance. The repetition of the chorus serves to reinforce the depth of their desperation and the intensity of their longing for good news.
Overall, "Bonus" captures the struggle of maintaining faith and finding solace in times of hardship. It delves into the complex emotions of feeling lost, disconnected, and searching for spiritual guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the blues, Lord.
I am feeling down and melancholic, seeking solace from the Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
My sadness is profound, and I long for Your teachings.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
My despondency persists, and I yearn for uplifting information.
Oh, Lord, why don't it pay,
To fight the good fight, day after day?
Oh, Lord, why doesn't it yield rewards to continuously strive for righteousness and goodness?
‘Workin' so hard on the narrow & straight...
My tithe is on time but my rent is late!
Working diligently on the righteous path, yet struggling financially despite fulfilling my duties.
Times are getting tight. They're too hard to shake.
Times have become difficult, and the hardships are persistent.
I'm hearing in Your Word, there's some hope.
Through Your teachings, I find a glimmer of hope.
I gotta have it now, Lord. Throw me a rope!
I desperately need it at this moment, Lord. Provide me with assistance!
Help me, Lord. I'm coming unglued.
Assist me, Lord. I am falling apart.
I've got nowhere to turn, so I'm turnin' to You.
I have reached a point of desperation where I have no other recourse but to seek Your guidance.
‘Putting all my faith, in Your hands. In You, the Holy Spirit and the Son of Man!
I am entrusting my complete faith in You, in the Holy Spirit and the Son of Man.
I've got the blues, Lord.
I am still plagued by sadness, seeking solace from the Lord.
I've got'em bad. cnd, I'm hurtin' for Your Word.
My sorrow remains intense, and I long for Your teachings.
I've got the blues, and I need some Good News,
My despondency persists, and I yearn for uplifting information.
I've got the blues, Lord.
I am still plagued by sadness, seeking solace from the Lord.
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