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
Standing
Patty Griffin Lyrics
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I'm standing in the shadow of the hill
Feel the fear everywhere
Hope it don't get me killed
I'm standing in the shadow of the hill
I'm standing in the shadow walking blind
I've been unfair & unkind
Turned away from your suffering far too many times
Sister, brother, there's a fire on the hill
And it's burning like a lantern
Making all this time stand still
I'm standing, I'm standing, I'm standing
I'm standing, standing, standing
Mother, I am weak but I am strong
Standing in the darkness this long
But in the deepest darkness I listen to your song
Mother I am weak but I am strong
I'm standing, and I'm standing, I'm standing
I'm standing, standing, standing, I'm standing
Standing in the shadow of the hill
The song "Standing in the Shadow of the Hill" by Patty Griffin is a powerful song about facing fear and coming to terms with one's past mistakes. The singer begins by acknowledging their fear and the danger that is present. The hill casts a long shadow, representing the ominous presence of some unknown threat or suffering that the singer must confront. At the same time, there is a sense of hopefulness in the singer's voice as they express their desire to overcome their fear and not be destroyed by it.
The second verse takes a more introspective turn, as the singer admits to having turned away from others' suffering in the past. This admission is both a confession and a realization that they need to make amends for past wrongdoings. The line "turn away from your suffering far too many times" reflects on the tendency to ignore the pain of others instead of being compassionate and offering help. The repetition of "standing in the shadow walking blind" emphasizes the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability that the singer is feeling.
The final verse shifts the focus to the singer's relationship with their mother. The line "Mother, I am weak but I am strong" acknowledges the singer's own weaknesses but also affirms their resilience and determination. They draw strength from their mother's guidance and support, even in the darkest times. The repetition of "I'm standing" in the final stanza is a defiant declaration that the singer is ready to face whatever is ahead, with the help of their family and community.
Overall, "Standing in the Shadow of the Hill" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the human experience of fear, regret, and resilience. It highlights the importance of facing one's fears and owning up to one's mistakes in order to move forward and find strength.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing in the shadow of the hill
I am facing a challenging situation and feel overwhelmed by it
Feel the fear everywhere
I can sense that fear is present in the situation
Hope it don't get me killed
I'm afraid that something dangerous might happen to me
I'm standing in the shadow walking blind
I'm uncertain about what's next and feel lost
I've been unfair & unkind
I have treated others poorly and feel guilty about it
Turned away from your suffering far too many times
I have disregarded others' pain and distress too frequently
Sister, brother, there's a fire on the hill
There is a serious problem that needs attention
And it's burning like a lantern
The problem is intense and hard to ignore
Making all this time stand still
The problem is so significant that it feels like time has stopped
Mother, I am weak but I am strong
Although I feel vulnerable, I have inner strength that helps me persevere
Standing in the darkness this long
I have been struggling with this challenge for a while now
But in the deepest darkness I listen to your song
In my darkest moments, I find comfort in the wisdom and guidance of those who came before me
I'm standing, and I'm standing, I'm standing
I am determined to face this challenge and not give up
I'm standing, standing, standing, I'm standing
I am staying strong and not backing down
Standing in the shadow of the hill
I am facing a tough situation and not giving up
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind