The … Read Full Bio ↴Rhoda Scott (b. ca. 1939) is an African-American Jazz organist.
The daughter of an AME minister, Scott spent much of her childhood in New Jersey, where she learned to play organ in the churches where her father served. Soon she herself was serving frequently as organist for youth and gospel choirs at her father's and other churches. Scott later studied classical piano, but she concentrated on the organ, eventually earning a Masters' degree in music theory from the Manhattan School of Music. By this time she had been asked by a choir member to fill in with a small band as a jazz pianist. Enjoying the music, she agreed to stay on with the band on condition that she be allowed to play organ instead of piano. Choosing as her instrument the Hammond Organ, she soon became a preeminent jazz musician.
Scott was first attracted to the organ in her father’s church at age seven. "It's really the most beautiful instrument in the world," she stated in a recent interview. "The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals."[1] From then on she always played her church organ in her bare feet, and to this date she has continued the practice, earning her nicknames such as "The Barefoot Lady" and "The Barefoot Contessa." Following her lead, many other performers of popular organ music now also play barefoot. Because of her church training, however, Scott uses the pedals to play a genuine bass line, unlike many other jazz organists, which allows her to use her left hand for more elaborate chord work.[2] The resulting music is an energetic fusion of musical styles that partakes of jazz, gospel, and classical, reflecting both Scott’s early experience and her formal training.
In 1967 Scott moved to France, where she has since spent most of her career and earned recognition far greater than that accorded to her in the United States, though she often performs in the latter country as well.
Dearly Beloved
Rhoda Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was meant for you, you were meant for me.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
The lyrics to Rhoda Scott's song "Dearly Beloved" speaks of a love that was meant to be. The first two lines of the lyrics ask for confirmation of the love shared between two individuals. It expresses a desire to hear from the other person that they feel the same way. The line "I was meant for you, you were meant for me" suggests that there is a divine plan that brought these two people together.
The song's chorus speaks to the depths of the singer's feelings. The words "Dearly beloved, how clearly I see, Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me" communicate that the singer sees this union as beyond human intervention. The two were, in fact, created for each other in heaven. The lyrics then speak of the angelic intervention that led the singer to the other person. The singer believes that nothing could have prevented them from meeting. The line, "Fate gave me a sign," makes it clear that this was destiny.
The song ends with the singer making a declaration of love, "So I say merely, Dearly beloved be mine." The lyrics demonstrate the depth of the singer's emotions and the significance of this relationship in their life. The love shared between them was part of a divine plan, and the singer considers the other person their soulmate.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me that it's true, tell me you agree,
Confirm the truth in what I feel, acknowledge our connection and unity.
I was meant for you, you were meant for me.
Our destiny is intertwined and we were meant to share our lives together.
Dearly beloved, how clearly I see,
My love for you is pure and clear, without any doubt or hesitation.
Somewhere in Heaven you were fashioned for me,
Before we even met, the universe conspired to bring us together and create a perfect match.
Angel eyes knew you, angel voices led me to you;
As if guided by angels, I found you and recognized you as my soulmate.
Nothing could save me, fate gave me a sign;
I was helpless to resist the powerful force of fate, which showed me that you were the one.
I know that I'll be yours come shower or shine;
No matter what life brings, I am committed to being by your side and loving you unconditionally.
So I say merely, dearly beloved be mine.
In the simplest and most sincere way, I ask you to share your life with me and become mine forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, JOHN H. MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind