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
Up To The Mountain
Patty Griffin Lyrics
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Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere
Sometimes I feel like
I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to
Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so
The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
In Patty Griffin's song Up To The Mountain, the singer goes up to the mountain as requested by someone they love. The mountain represents a spiritual or emotional journey that the singer has to take. From the vantage point of the mountain, the singer can see everything around them, and everything is beautiful. The singer confesses that sometimes they feel tired, and life is challenging, but they keep going because the person they love asks them to go on. However, they do get tired, and there are days they want to give up. But when they hear the voice of the person they love, they gain strength to continue.
The song carries the message of hope and faith in something that is yet to come. The singer sees a peaceful valley, but they fear they may never get there in this lifetime. Despite the fear, they will keep walking, and someday they will reach the peaceful valley. The person they love gives them the strength to keep walking, and they will continue until the day they die.
The song captures the essence of perseverance, faith, love, and hope in the face of adversity. It conveys a message of never giving up on life, even when the odds are against us. The mountain represents the challenges and difficulties in life, and the valley represents the rewards and peace that come after overcoming them. It is a song that inspires and uplifts, encouraging us to keep going even when we feel like giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
I went up to the mountain
I took the journey to the mountain
Because you asked me to
You requested me to climb the mountain
Up over the clouds
I climbed higher than the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I reached a point where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
I had a panoramic view of the surroundings
Everywhere
There was an endless view in all directions
Sometimes I feel like
Occasionally, I have the sensation of
I've never been nothing but tired
Being exhausted has been my constant state
And I'll be walking
I will keep moving forward
Till the day I expire
Until the day I pass away
Sometimes I lay down
Occasionally, I rest
No more can I do
I am unable to do anything more
But then I go on again
However, I continue pushing forward
Because you ask me to
At your request
Some days I look down
At times, I look downward
Afraid I will fall
Worried about stumbling
And though the sun shines
Even with the sun shining brightly
I see nothing at all
I perceive nothing
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
But, I hear your lovely voice
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
It appears and vanishes
Telling me softly
Speaking to me tenderly
You love me so
Expressing affection for me
The peaceful valley
A tranquil valley
Just over the mountain
Directly on the other side of the mountain
The peaceful valley
A serene valley
Few come to know
Few have explored it
I may never get there
It is possible that I may never arrive
Ever in this lifetime
During my existence
But sooner or later
At some point in the future
It's there I will go
I will reach that place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Patricia J. Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind