Crowell was born in Houston, Texas to James Walter Crowell and Addie Cauzette Willoughby. A contemporary of Steve Earle and, like Earle, influenced by the (songwriting) greats Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, Crowell played guitar and sang for three years in Emmylou Harris' "Hot Band".
He was married to Rosanne Cash (daughter of famous singer/guitarist Johnny Cash) from 1979 to 1992 and had a great influence on her career, producing most of her albums during that period. They collaborated on a number of duets, including 1988's "It's Such a Small World." Though Crowell and Cash are now divorced, they remain on friendly terms, performing together occasionally. Six years after the breakdown of his marriage to Rosanne he married Claudia Church.
Although best known as a songwriter and alternative country artist, Crowell enjoyed mainstream popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His critically acclaimed album, 1988's Diamonds and Dirt, produced five No. 1 hits during a 17-month span in 1988 and 1989: "It's Such a Small World" (a duet with Cash), "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," "She's Crazy for Leaving," "After All This Time" and "Above and Beyond." His follow-up album, 1989's "Keys to the Highway," produced two top 5 hits in 1990, which were "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway" and "If Looks Could Kill."
As Crowell's popularity in mainstream country faded, he continued his prolific songwriting. In 2001 he released The Houston Kid on Sugar Hill Records. Many songs on the album were semi-autobiographical, and the album included a duet with Crowell's ex father-in-law Johnny Cash on "I Walk the Line (Revisited)". Initially, Cash was annoyed at Crowell changing the tune to his song, but he came to like the finished product. Crowell followed up this effort with Fate's Right Hand in 2003 and The Outsider in 2005. Crowell considers these three albums his finest work as a solo artist.
2004 saw the release of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a reunion of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a group that existed briefly in the 1970s with Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Tony Brown, and others. The future Keith Urban hit "Making Memories of Us" was included on this disc.
In 2005, Crowell served as producer for established Irish singer/songwriter Kieran Goss on the album Blue Sky Sunrise.
Shelter From The Storm
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Not a word was spoke between us, there was no risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes, blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrist and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
And the deputy walks on hard nails, preacher rides a mount
Nothing really matters much, doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation, they gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
"Come in," she said "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Now there's a wall between us, something else been lost
I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn'
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make her mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
The lyrics to Rodney Crowell feat. Emmylou Harris's song Shelter From The Storm depict a moment of respite from a lifetime of struggle, pain, and hardship. The singer reflects on a time in the past when all his troubles seemed to converge, and he was exhausted, hunted, and poisoned. He stumbled upon a woman who offered him shelter from the storm, a haven of peace and safety where he could rest and recover.
The singer describes this encounter in a dreamlike, poetic language that evokes intense emotions and vivid imagery. He speaks of his sense of formlessness, his inability to find a place in the harsh and unforgiving world he inhabited. He contrasts this with the woman's grace, beauty, and kindness, which he finds healing and transformative.
The song can be interpreted in many ways, but it touches on themes of redemption, salvation, and the transformative power of love. It suggests that even in the darkest times, there is hope for renewal and healing, and that human connections and kindness can be a source of strength and shelter from the storms of life.
Line by Line Meaning
'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
In a previous life, there was only hard work and struggle
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
Back then, darkness and difficulty were considered honorable
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
I emerged from the wild, undefined and shapeless
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She welcomed me inside and offered refuge from the troubles outside
Not a word was spoke between us, there was no risk involved
We didn't need to talk and there was no danger present
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
All previous issues were still unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
Imagine a place that's constantly secure and cozy
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She repeated the offer of safety from the storm
I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
I was weary and beaten by the elements
Poisoned in the bushes, blown out on the trail
I was poisoned by the surroundings and lost on the path
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
I was pursued like an animal and destroyed like a crop
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She invites me to safety from the storm once more
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
Suddenly, she appeared behind me
With silver bracelets on her wrist and flowers in her hair
She wore jewelry and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
She approached me elegantly and removed my burden
"Come in," she said "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
One more time, she invites me inside for safety
And the deputy walks on hard nails, preacher rides a mount
The police officer walks forcefully, while the preacher rides a powerful animal
Nothing really matters much, doom alone that counts
Nothing is very significant, only the inevitable end matters
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
Even the undertaker, who buries the dead, is helpless
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Once more, she offers me safety from the raging environment
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
In a small village at the top of a hill, they wagered for my garments
I bargained for salvation, they gave me a lethal dose
I traded for redemption, but instead received deadly poison
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
I surrendered my purity and received only contempt
"Come in," she said "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
One final invite to protection and respite from the tempest
Now there's a wall between us, something else been lost
There's a barrier between us and something has been forfeited
I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed
I underestimated too much and confused my indications
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn'
To imagine that everything started on a peaceful morning
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She assures me of refuge and protection from the storm
I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
I reside in a foreign nation but I will inevitably cross the boundary
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make her mine
Beauty is a precarious situation, but someday I will possess it
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
If only I could go back to the beginning with God and her
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Once more, she invites me to take refuge from the storm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind