Roberts began performing country music as a child. When she was in junior high and high school, she toured with her family, playing at festivals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. She also performed at area nursing homes (where she developed an appreciation for blues music); and worked at Carowinds (a theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina) and Dollywood.
A graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Roberts began working for Mercury Records, later becoming assistant to label head Luke Lewis. During her tenure there, she began perfecting her singing skills and recorded a demo tape. Producer Brent Rowan liked what he heard and invited Lewis to hear the tape. Lewis liked what he heard, but it was only after he asked for the singer's identity that he learned it was Roberts.
Roberts was signed to Mercury Records, and her self-titled album was released in 2004.
A second album for Mercury, Men & Mascara, followed in 2006. This album produced two non-charting singles in its title track and a cover of Saving Jane's "Girl Next Door".
Her influences include Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Tanya Tucker.
Daddy Doesn't Pray
Julie Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess he's finished talking to the Lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But Daddy doesn't pray anymore
I remember even when the times were bad
He thanked Jesus for everything he had
A good wife and three children and the food upon his plate
Daddy doesn't pray anymore
I guess he's finished talking to the Lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But Daddy doesn't pray anymore
There was a time when daddy didn't get along
And I thought I was right and he was wrong
So when i lay down night I'd hear him get down on his knees
And say a little prayer for me
Daddy doesn't pray anymore
I guess he's finished talking to the Lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But Daddy doesn't pray anymore
Today I followed Daddy down to the church
and listened to the preacher read God's word
We sang his favorite hymns and Daddy didn't make a sound
That afternoon we laid him in the ground
Daddy doesn't pray anymore
I guess he's finished talking to the Lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But Daddy doesn't pray anymore
Julie Roberts's song "Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore" is a heart-wrenching tribute to her father and their relationship through his religious practices. The song opens with a poignant line, "Daddy doesn't pray no more," which sets the tone for Roberts's mournful rendition. She reminisces about her father's strong faith and how he always thanked Jesus for everything they had, even during difficult times. He used to fold his hands, bow his head down to the floor, and pray to God, but it seems those days are gone.
Roberts sings, "There was a time when daddy didn't get along," showcasing the universal struggles of growing up and having differences with one's parents. However, she reflects how she could hear her father's whispered prayers every night, praying for his daughter. As the song progresses, it's clear that her father's absence of prayer has deeper connotations, he has passed away and isn't physically present to pray anymore.
The song ends with a mournful stanza as Roberts sings about accompanying her father to church for the last time and how there was no sound from her father as they sang his favorite hymns. The song concludes with the funeral, as they laid her father to rest.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder of the impact of prayer in one's life and the haunting reality of death. The simple yet evocative lyrics showcase Roberts's songwriting abilities and her ability to belt out the powerful and emotive message.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy doesn't pray no more
Daddy has stopped praying
I guess he's finished talking to the Lord
Perhaps Daddy thinks there is no use in talking to the Lord anymore
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
Daddy would fold his hands and kneel down on the floor while praying
But Daddy doesn't pray anymore
Daddy has completely stopped praying
I remember even when the times were bad
Even during rough times, Daddy used to pray
He thanked Jesus for everything he had
Daddy would express his gratitude towards Jesus for everything he had
A good wife and three children and the food upon his plate
He was grateful for his good family and the food he had
Yeah everything was right when he said grace
Everything felt right when he would say grace before meals
There was a time when daddy didn't get along
There used to be times when Daddy and the artist didn't get along
And I thought I was right and he was wrong
The artist believed that he was right while his father was wrong
So when i lay down night I'd hear him get down on his knees
At night, the singer would hear Daddy get down on his knees to pray
And say a little prayer for me
Daddy would pray for the artist
Today I followed Daddy down to the church
On the day of Daddy's funeral, the singer followed him to the church
and listened to the preacher read God's word
At the church, they listened to the preacher read from the Bible
We sang his favorite hymns and Daddy didn't make a sound
They sang Daddy's favorite hymns and he didn't make a sound
That afternoon we laid him in the ground
Daddy's funeral took place in the afternoon, and they buried him
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind