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
The Lamb
Greg Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
The lyrics of Greg Brown's song 'The Lamb' are a beautiful and thought-provoking interpretation of William Blake's poem. The song starts by questioning the little lamb about its origins and creator, "Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and bid thee feed." The second stanza reveals the answer to this question, "He is called by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb." This refers to Jesus Christ who is often referred to in the Bible as the "Lamb of God."
The third stanza connects the little lamb to Jesus, "He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name." This line implies that we, like the little lamb, are also creations of God, and that we are connected to Him through the person of Jesus. The song ends with a blessing, "Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee!" This line can be interpreted as a blessing for the lamb, but also as a blessing for us as we all seek to find our way back to God.
The interpretation of this song can be viewed from a religious perspective, but it also brings into focus the interconnectedness of all living things and the beauty of nature. It is a reminder that we should take time to appreciate the wonders of the world around us and recognize the divine presence in all things.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Who created you, small, vulnerable creature?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Do you know who made you and gave you life?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
Gave you life and the instinct to feed.
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Near the stream and across the open fields.
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Gave you soft, warm wool that comforts you.
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
The wool you wear is so soft and bright.
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Gave you the sweetest voice, gentle and low.
Making all the vales rejoice?
Your voice echoes through the valleys and brings joy to all who hear it.
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Who made you, small, innocent creature?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Do you know who created and gave you life?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little lamb, I'll tell you who made you.
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee.
I will tell you who made you, gentle creature.
He is called by thy name,
The one who made you is called by your name.
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is known as a lamb himself.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He is gentle and kind.
He became a little child.
He came to earth as a small, innocent baby.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are both childlike and innocent, like a little lamb.
We are called by His name.
We are both known by his name, and are his creations.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
May God bless you, gentle lamb.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
I pray that God blesses you, sweet lamb.
Contributed by Muhammad Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.