Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, M… Read Full Bio ↴Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, Maine) is an American Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for her stripped-down songwriting style centered around the folk music genre, her songs have been covered by a host of musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Rory Block, and the Dixie Chicks. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Americana Music Association's "Artist of the Year" award and her album, Children Running Through, won for "Best Album". In 2011, her album Downtown Church won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

After a short marriage which ended in 1992, Griffin began playing in Boston coffee houses and was scouted by A&M Records who signed Griffin on the strength of her demo tape. This resulted in her debut album Living With Ghosts -- a set of demos featuring only Ms. Griffin and her guitar -- which garnered critical acclaim in 1996. Her sophomore album, Flaming Red, demonstrated a more rocking, full-band sound. The ill-fated Silver Bell album was never released by her record label, however, and the label terminated her recording contract shortly after that. Many of the songs from Silver Bell were re-recorded for subsequent albums.

After switching to ATO Records Griffin brought out three albums in rapid succession: 1000 Kisses and Impossible Dream, which were both nominated for Grammy awards, and A Kiss in Time, a well-received live album. In March 2007, she released Children Running Through to great critical acclaim.

She has penned a wide variety of songs - Long Ride Home, Top of the World, Tony, Forgiveness, Chief, Mad Mission--that touch her listeners deeply. A number of high profile artists have covered Patty's songs, including the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, The Wreckers, Solomon Burke and pop star Kelly Clarkson; these have brought her exposure in the more mainstream pop and country worlds outside of folk music circles. Upon hearing Solomon Burke's cover of one of her tunes, she said she almost didn't feel worthy of singing it anymore.

Following her collaboration with Mavis Staples on a tune for a compilation album Peter York, suggested Griffin make an album of gospel songs. Griffin agreed on the condition that Buddy Miller, a friend and bandmate, produced the record. Downtown Church was recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with a 2010 release date. The album features long-time friends Buddy and Julie Miller, as well as Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris. It also includes songs by Hank Williams, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, and "All Creatures of Our God and King," a song accredited to St. Francis of Assisi.

Griffin featured on Robert Plant's solo album, Band of Joy, which was released in September 2010

Griffin's album American Kid was released on May 7, 2013

Never Grow Old
Patty Griffin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have heard of a land
On the far away strand
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
Built by Jesus on high
Where we never shall die
'Tis a land where we never grow old

Never grow old, never grow old

'Tis a land where we never grow old
Oh never grow old, never grow old
'Tis a land where we never grow old

In that beautiful home
Where we'll never more roam
We shall meet in the sweet by and by
Happy praise to the King through eternity sing
'Tis a land where we never grow old

Never grow old, never grow old
'Tis a land where we never grow old
Oh never grow old, never grow old
'Tis a land where we never grow old

When our work here is done
And the life crown is won
And our troubles and trials are over
All our sorrow will end
All our voices will blend
With the loved ones who've gone on before

Never grow old, never grow old
'Tis a land where we never grow old
Oh never grow old, never grow old

'Tis a land where we never grow old
'Tis a land where we never grow old

Overall Meaning

The song "Never Grow Old" is a beautiful hymn about a land beyond this world, a place where we shall live forever with our loved ones, without growing old or facing any of the struggles and trials that we experience on earth. The song's lyrics speak of a belief in heaven, a place where the faithful will be reunited with those that they have loved and lost, and where they will sing happy praises to the King for all eternity.

The first verse of the song tells us of this beautiful land "On the far away strand", a reference to the land beyond this earth. The lyrics portray this land as being a beautiful home for the soul, which was built by Jesus, who is believed to have ascended to heaven after being crucified on earth. The following verses speak of how this land is a place where we will never grow old, and where we will finally be reunited with our loved ones who have passed before us.

The song's powerful lyrics paint a picture of a place where all of our sorrows and troubles will come to an end, and where we will be free to sing praises to our King forevermore. The song is a beautiful reminder of our ultimate hope as followers of Christ, and it speaks to the longing in our hearts for an eternity in heaven.

Line by Line Meaning

I have heard of a land
I know about a place

On the far away strand
far away from here

'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
it's a home for our souls and it's beautiful

Built by Jesus on high
Jesus built it up high

Where we never shall die
there is no death

'Tis a land where we never grow old
we will never age

Never grow old, never grow old
we will be forever young

'Tis a land where we never grow old
we will never get old

Oh never grow old, never grow old
we will stay young forever

'Tis a land where we never grow old
we will never age

In that beautiful home
the home is beautiful