Mindy’s debut album, The Sum of All Grace, is the sublime result of this desire. It brings together Mindy’s ethereal voice, rich piano accompaniment and soul-searching lyrics. Such a combination makes this album unlike any other on the market.
Since childhood, Mindy has seen the world through curious, determined eyes. The eclectic entourage of musical influences surrounding her only fed her free spirit.
Raised on the north coast of California, Mindy recalls her grade school music hours with Mr. Lindsay, and the marimba, drums, and flute she played in the school band. She was surrounded by the music of Native American pow-wows and blue grass bands, the Jewish fiddle of her fourth-grade teacher, and her mom singing the classics from the 20s and 30s—even the lullabies from her older sister at bedtime. These are the memories Mindy claims to be the essence of the music she creates.
“There was always music,” Mindy says. “But there was little formal training or discipline.”
Mindy and her family moved to Spain when she was 13. This is where she first began to sing and perform. It also offered the introduction to yet another musical influence.
“Oh, the impact of Spanish music!” Mindy says. “Spaniards are not timid singers. They praise God when they sing and I’ve always wanted to adopt that passion.”
Passion is exactly what drives Mindy’s life. After returning from Spain, she realized she wanted to be serious about music. She dedicated herself to voice lessons and auditioned for every performing opportunity. She always made it to call backs and final heats – but never quite got the part. However, coming so close every time only fed the fire inside.
“A persistent force continued to draw me towards music.” Mindy says. “I learned that my free little spirit had to come down from the clouds for a while and be disciplined in order to handle the competition.”
Mindy had her first breakthrough when she was accepted into Brigham Young University’s School of Music, something she calls “a miracle.” And in September 2002, acclaimed producer and composer Kenneth Cope discovered her at a songwriter’s workshop. Impressed by the depth of her songwriting and the emotion in her voice, Cope offered to produce Mindy’s first album and immediately began to mentor her.
“Kenneth helped me find my voice,” Mindy says. “He taught me how to sing with my soul—to really spill my guts out. I would take him songs every week and he would bring them to life.”
Since that day at the songwriter’s workshop, The Sum of All Grace unfolded . . . in more ways than one. Mindy was named Best New Artist of the Year in 2005 by the Faith Centered Music Association while her album won Best Inspirational Album of the Year. She has recorded on a number of additional projects including Stand in the Light and A More Excellent Way, the 2004 and 2005 Especially for Youth albums for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most recently was a featured soloist on A Child’s Prayer – Primary Songs for Bedtime, an album which quickly gathered an underground following among young adults and college students for its artistic approach to lullabies.
A highlight of Mindy’s career took place in 2005 when she recorded the song “Emma” under the direction of award-winning producer, Jason Deere on the best-selling album Joseph: A Nashville Tribute. The song won Best Inspirational Recording of the Year at the Faith Centered Music Association’s 2006 Pearl Awards. She performs regularly with Deere and Diamond Rio keyboardist, Dan Truman performing the album for sell-out audiences across the United States. With another solo album planned for 2007, Mindy is quickly becoming an established influence in inspirational music.
“I really believe once I showed God that I was ready to work hard that He showed me the opportunities,” Mindy says. “I don’t completely view this as my music. I am simply the servant.”
Golden Slumbers
Mindy Gledhill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Once there was a way
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
The lyrics to Mindy Gledhill's "Golden Slumbers" convey a sense of comfort and reassurance to a loved one who is struggling. The first two lines, "Once there was a way to get back homeward / Once there was a way to get back home," suggest that the person being addressed has lost their way or is feeling lost in life, and that there was once a clear path or direction for them to follow. However, despite the apparent impossibility of finding that way back, the singer promises to provide comfort and support through a lullaby.
The repetition of the lines "Sleep pretty darling do not cry / And I will sing a lullaby" emphasizes the importance of rest and the power of music in helping the listener to find peace. The final lines, "Golden slumbers fill your eyes / Smiles awake you when you rise," suggest that sleep and rest will bring about a sense of renewal and leave the listener feeling refreshed and ready to face the world.
Overall, the lyrics to "Golden Slumbers" offer a message of hope and encouragement in the face of adversity and uncertainty, underscoring the importance of rest, music, and emotional support in navigating difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a way
There was a path that was available to take.
To get back homeward
To go back to where you belong.
Once there was a way
There was a path that was available to take.
To get back home
To return to a place you call home.
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
Go to sleep, dear one, don't be upset.
And I will sing a lullaby
I will sing a soft, soothing song to help you sleep.
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Your eyes are heavy and you are falling asleep.
Smiles awake you when you rise
You will wake up happy and smiling.
Sleep pretty darling
Go to sleep, dear one.
Do not cry
Don't be upset or sad.
And I will sing a lullaby
I will sing a soft, soothing song to help you sleep.
Once there was a way
There was a path that was available to take.
To get back homeward
To go back to where you belong.
Once there was a way
There was a path that was available to take.
To get back home
To return to a place you call home.
Sleep pretty darling
Go to sleep, dear one.
Do not cry
Don't be upset or sad.
And I will sing a lullaby
I will sing a soft, soothing song to help you sleep.
Contributed by Jasmine G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@isabelpantoja8271
Once there was a way,
To get back homeward.
Once there was a way
To get back home.
Sleep, pretty darling,
Dot not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.
Golden slumbers,
Fill your eyes
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.
Once there was a way
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby.
@trphil
This is for Millie R
Lyrics of Golden Slumbers:
Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye
Once there was a way to get back homeward
Once there was a way to get back home
Sleep pretty darling do not cry
And I will sing a lullabye
@robertuk444
Once, there was a way to get back homeward
Once, there was a way to get back home
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Once, there was a way to get back homeward
Once, there was a way to get back home
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
@universum6471
Once there was a way
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Once there was a way
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, pretty darling
Do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
@catvel922
she almost made me cry with her rendition as I lay beside my 6 month old baby. Simply beautiful and sweet.
@mcrainbowoeslak1603
The only cover of this song that sounded different, in a good way. 👍👍🦄
@rickyanthony
One of the only versions that actually sound like a lullaby.
@hnnpuffnstuff
This is the version that most celebrates this song for it's beauty.
@hypedragon2197
Makes me think of warm blankets on a cold night, cuddling to my stuffed animals as a innocent child, I'm still like, 15 so that wasn't long ago, but still, it makes me happy 😊 I sang this version to my nefew, he's a baby, it was heart warming to hear his little yawn as he fell asleep on my shoulder 💕
@maureenbatchelor6196
Her voice is so pure and angelic --love this song so soothing
@karlenerae1795
When I have a child, I'm going to sing this to get him/her asleep. It's so calm and beautiful
@pixygiggles
By far my favorite version of this song. Beautifully done.
@1paulw
This cover brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. So very beautiful
@laughterdreamer
OMG. This was perfect. This was the version of this song i was looking for that i didnt know existed. Thank you.