Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she moved to Australia to play a featured role in the Australian production of Hair. Hines was then approached to play Mary Magdalene in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Hines became the first black woman to play Mary Magdalene, and achieved a second major success.
A record contract followed and her first single released in 1974 was a cover version of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain". Most of her hit singles were released between 1976 and 1979, and included her cover versions of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself", and The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash", and "What I Did For Love" (from A Chorus Line). Her biggest hit was the single that made number 2 in the charts in Australia: "You"; an up-tempo dance song, later covered in the United States by Rita Coolidge.
She continued to record and achieved a few more hits including the dance track "Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees" in the eighties. "Flashdance, What A Feeling" (originally recorded by Irene Cara), and "Time of Our Lives" were both hits for Hines in 1999.
Fire And Rain
Marcia Hines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I won't make it any other way
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
Na na na. Na na na na na na na na na na. Na na na na na na na na
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
The song “Fire and Rain” by Marcia Hines is a cover of the original song written and sung by James Taylor. The song depicts James’ emotional journey dealing with the news of a dear friend’s abrupt passing, suspectingly through suicide, and the closure he desperately seeks. The beginning of the song describes how he was just informed about his friend’s death and how the plans that they had made together would never come to fruition. As he walks out, he writes a song but forgets to whom he will be sending it. He then pleads to Jesus for help and guidance, to see him through another day as his body is aching and his time is near.
The second verse reflects on James’ many experiences in life, including the highs and lows. The lyrics can be interpreted as him questioning why his friend had to leave him, despite him thinking that he would always see her again. The third verse talks about how he was walking towards an easy life and avoiding thinking about the dark things in his life until the tragedy occurred. The telephone line refers to the calls between him and his friend, discussing plans for their future together but now James is left with the painful memories. In the end, James reflects on how he thought he'd see his friend again but now, he hopes that he will see her one more time.
Line by Line Meaning
Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone
I found out yesterday morning that you had passed away
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
The plans that Suzanne had made ultimately led to your demise
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
This morning, I wrote down this song after going for a walk
I just can't remember who to send it to
I am not sure who to send this song to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I have experienced both difficult times and good times in my life
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I have experienced happy times that seemed like they would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
I have experienced times of loneliness where I had nobody to turn to
But I always thought that I'd see you again
However, I always believed that I would see you again
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
Jesus, please help me and guide me
You've got to help me make a stand
I need your guidance to stand up for myself
You've just got to see me through another day
Please help me get through this day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I am feeling physically overwhelmed and my time is running out
I won't make it any other way
I cannot make it on my own
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
I have been trying to find peace of mind by ignoring my problems
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
When things get tough, it can be easy to lose your direction
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
There is plenty of time to talk about what the future may hold
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
The dreams and aspirations I had for the future have been shattered
Thought I'd see you one more time again
I had hoped to see you one more time
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
There are only a few things that I can count on happening
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
I had hoped to see you in both good times and bad
Na na na. Na na na na na na na na na na. Na na na na na na na na
In this section, there are no actual lyrics, only background music
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Ghost
She may of been American born, but i think she is one that Australia managed to steal from them and see her rightfully join Australian Royalty of Singers. Someone every Aussie is incredibly proud of.
Sam Toucan
Arguably better than James Taylor's original because of its amazing ending.
originaluddite
I was not all that taken with it till the ending, which just knocks it up a notch. Reminds me of other songs, like Stand by Sly And The Family Stone, which funk it up at the end, to great effect.
chocmint33
Beautiful song; beautiful voice.
Bruce mckenzie
No argument. This is the best version. Cudos to JT for writing such a great song.
T Dub
Bruce mckenzie WTF, JT is shitloads better than this person
Littlebird
Incredible talent......💜
John Bell
Toattaly agree this is by far the best version.
Wendy Walsh-Pardey
Just divine Dear Marcia.
Elizabeth Braddock
Great version of this song. Amazing singer.