With fellow student musician, Malcolm McKinney, he formed the eclectic rock band St James Doorknob. Later, Edwards and McKinney met guitarist and blues harp player, Joe Dolce, and formed a band that was to become the most popular blues-rock band in Southern Ohio, The Headstone Circus (later to change its name to Sugar Creek in 1967, after recording its only album, Please Tell a Friend.) Shortly afterwards, Edwards left the band to do solo acoustic music. He recorded "Sunshine" after having accidentally erased another song intended for a solo self-titled album. "Sunshine" ultimately became a Billboard #4 pop hit during the early-1970s period of anti-war protests and rejection of authority.
After taking a turn into mainstream country music, Edwards left the business and moved to Nova Scotia, where he bought a farm. By 1976, however, he was back in the music scene, singing backup on Emmylou Harris's second album, Elite Hotel. After three more solo albums and another break, he joined bluegrass band The Seldom Scene, recording a single album with them before trying his hand at children's music with Little Hands.
Returning to country music in 1989, he released The Natural Thing, which provided his biggest country hit to date, "We Need to Be Locked Away". He continues to record albums and, as of June 2007, is still touring. He has also produced albums for Cheryl Wheeler.
released Cd's-
1971 Jonathan Edwards Atco
1972 Honky-Tonk Stardust Cowboy Collector's Choice
1973 Have a Good Time for Me Collector's Choice
1974 Lucky Day (live) Wounded Bird Records
1976 Rockin' Chair Wounded Bird Records
1977 Sailboat Wounded Bird Records
1980 Live! (live) Wounded Bird Records
1985 Blue Ridge (Jonathan Edwards & The Seldom Scene) Sugarhill
1987 Little Hands American Melody
1989 Natural Thing MCA
November 21, 1994 One Day Closer Rising Records
1998 Man on the Moon Rising Records
May 1, 2001 Crusing America's Waterways (live)
Note that "Jonathan Edwards" is also an alias used by Paul Weston when recording (with his wife, Jo Stafford, as "Darlene Edwards") novelty records. See Jonathan & Darlene Edwards.
Little Hands
Jonathan Edwards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your love speaks a better word
(Speaking mercy, mercy; speaking lovely, lovely)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Where are your accusers now, where are your accusers now
You are the God who saves, Deliverer Your name
You put the ring upon my finger, You put the robe upon my back
You throw Your arms around me and say
"You are my son, my daughter, don't forget"
The lyrics to Jonathan Edwards's song Little Hands appear to be a beautiful proclamation of faith in Christ. The opening lines speak of the power of Christ's blood and love to speak greater things than any other words could ever speak. By speaking mercy and love, Christ is offering to free His followers from condemnation. These lines likely reference Romans 8:1, which states, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The next set of lines, "Where are your accusers now," harkens back to John 8:7, in which Jesus says to a group of people who are about to stone an adulterous woman, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." After everyone leaves, Jesus tells the woman that He does not condemn her either, but to go and sin no more. This exchange shows the power of Christ's mercy and how it can save even the most sinful of people.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that Christ is the God who saves and delivers His people. The imagery of a mighty hand and outstretched arm further speaks to the power and strength of Christ's salvation. The final lines of the song are a reminder that Christ has adopted His followers as sons and daughters, and will never forget or abandon them.
Line by Line Meaning
Your blood speaks a better word
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is more powerful than any other spoken or written word
Your love speaks a better word
God's love for humanity is greater than any love expressed between humans
(Speaking mercy, mercy; speaking lovely, lovely)
God is merciful and full of grace, and His love is beautiful and lovely
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Those who belong to Christ are not judged or punished for their sins
Where are your accusers now, where are your accusers now
Just as Jesus forgave the woman accused of adultery, God forgives us and no longer holds our sins against us
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm
God's power and protection is strong and far-reaching
You are the God who saves, Deliverer Your name
God is known as the One who rescues and delivers His people from harm and danger
You put the ring upon my finger, You put the robe upon my back
God honors and blesses His people, welcoming them into His family as a father welcomes a son or daughter
You throw Your arms around me and say
God expresses His love and acceptance of His people
"You are my son, my daughter, don't forget"
God affirms the identity and value of His people as His beloved children
Contributed by Alex N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.