Born Maria Garzia Rosa Domenica d'Amato on 12th September 1943 in Greenwich Village, New York, she performed in the early 1960s in Greenwich Village with Bob Dylan, John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Stefan Grossman. Later in the 1960s her distinctive vocals were heard in many of the tracks recorded by Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band.
She began her solo career in 1972 when her marriage to fellow Jug Band member Geoff Muldaur ended, retaining her married name. Her first solo album "Maria Muldaur", released in 1973, contained her hit single "Midnight at the Oasis", which reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. It also peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Chart. Later that year, she released her second album Waitress In A Donut Shop. This included a re-recording of "I'm a Woman", the Leiber and Stoller number first associated with Peggy Lee and a standout feature from her Jug Band days. The title of this album is taken from a line in another song on the album, "Sweetheart" by Ken Burgan.
Around this time, Muldaur established a relationship with the Grateful Dead. Opening for some Grateful Dead shows in the summer of 1974, with John Kahn, bassist of the Jerry Garcia Band, would eventually earn her a seat in that group in the late 1970s, as a backing vocalist.
Later in her career, as her voice deepened, the blues were featured in more of her recordings. Her 2005 release Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul was nominated for both a W.C. Handy Award and a Grammy award in the Traditional Blues Category.
In 2011 she released the album "Steady Love".
Heaven On Earth
Maria Muldaur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Heaven, Heaven on Earth!
The spirit of the Lord is upon me,
His anointing is empowering,
The kingdom of the Lord is within me,
And He's calling me to the Heavenlies.
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Heaven, Heaven on Earth!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Heaven!
Marching in the spirit of unity,
To our community show His ability,
The will of the Lord for His children
Is to demonstrate, perpetuate
To be seated in heavenly Places,
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Just like Heaven,
Just like Heaven on Earth!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Heaven on Earth!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Heaven on Earth!
Listen!
Something's moving,
Something Changing,
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth.
Something's moving,
Something's Changing,
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth
Something's moving,
Something's Changing,
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth.
Something's moving,
Something's Changing,
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth
There is lightning and thunder,
Miracles and wonder,
Sound of many waters,
Heaven on Earth!
The song Heaven On Earth by Maria Muldaur has strong religious themes that imply an existence beyond our earthly one where believers can experience a version of heaven while still on Earth. The opening lines herald the joy that heaven brings, and the repetition of the phrase "Heaven on Earth" carries the emotional weight of wanting to be in a state where the physical and spiritual worlds are united. The following lines describe how the "spirit of the Lord" empowers the singer and calls them to "heavenlies." The song suggests the belief that heaven is a place that can be reached through an internal transformation of the self, sitting in "heavenly places" and walking "in his favor and grace," a metaphor for attaining peace and enlightenment. In the later verses, the singer urges listeners to be part of a community that lives by the will of the Lord, demonstrating and perpetuating his message of love and unity. The repeated lines "Something's moving, Something's changing, See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth" add to the idea that heaven is within reach if one is willing to change, listen to the word of God, and strive for unity, peace, and Divine love.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven, Heaven on Earth!
Expressing the feeling of extreme joy and happiness to experience heaven on earth.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Acknowledging the presence and guidance of God in her life.
His anointing is empowering,
Feeling empowered and blessed by God's anointing and grace.
The kingdom of the Lord is within me,
Acknowledging the presence of God's kingdom within her heart and soul.
And He's calling me to the Heavenlies.
Feeling called to experience heaven on earth by living a life in accordance with God's will.
To be seated in heavenly Places,
Striving to be in a state of heavenly existence and enlightenment.
Just like Heaven,
Comparing the feeling of being in God's presence to that of heavenly existence.
To be walking in His favor and grace is
Living a life of righteousness and experiencing God's favor and grace.
Marching in the spirit of unity,
Working together with like-minded individuals to spread God's message of love and unity.
To our community show His ability,
Demonstrating God's power and love to the larger community.
The will of the Lord for His children
Believing that God has a plan and a purpose for His children.
Is to demonstrate, perpetuate
Spreading God's message and living a life that reflects His love and grace for future generations to come.
Listen!
Urging the listener to pay attention and be mindful of what is to come.
Something's moving,
Sensing a change or shift in the spiritual realm.
Something Changing,
Acknowledging that change is happening and it is for the better.
See His glory feels like Heaven on Earth.
Experiencing God's glory and presence in a tangible way that feels like heaven on earth.
There is lightning and thunder,
Describing the power and magnitude of God's presence.
Miracles and wonder,
Witnessing the miraculous works of God.
Sound of many waters,
Describing the peaceful and calming sound of God's voice and presence.
Heaven on Earth!
Reaffirming the joy and happiness of experiencing heaven on earth.
Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.