Maddox was the singer in the Maddox Brothers and Rose, often considered to be "the greatest hillbilly band of all time". In 1996 she was nominated for a Grammy award for her Arhoolie recording $35 and a Dream. Her life story and that of the band were told in the biography, Ramblin' Rose: The Life and Career of Rose Maddox by Jonny Whiteside. ISBN 0-8265-1269-0.
Discography
Maddox Brothers & Rose
* America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band v.1 (Arhoolie Records, 1976/1993)
* America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band v.2 (Arhoolie, 1995)
* On The Air (Arhoolie, 1983/1996)
* Live On The Radio (1996)
* The Hillbilly Boogie Years (Rockateer, 1996)
* A Collection of Standard Sacred Songs (King, 1956)
* The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in America (Bear Family, 1998)
Solo/Compilations
* Precious Memories (Columbia, 1958)
* The One Rose (Capitol, 1960)
* Glorybound Train (Capitol, 1961)
* A Big Bouquet of Roses (Capitol, 1961)
* Rose Maddox Sings Bluegrass (Capitol, 1962/1996)
* Alone with You (Capitol, 1963)
* Rosie (Starday, 1970)
* Reckless Love & Bold Adventure (Takoma, 1977)
* Rose of the West Coast Country (Arhoolie, 1980)
* This is Rose Maddox (Arhoolie, 1982)
* A Beautiful Bouquet (Arhoolie, 1983)
* Queen of the West (Varrick, 1986)
* California Rose (See for Miles, 1989)
* $35 And A Dream (Arhoolie, 1994)
* The One Rose: The Capitol Years (Bear Family, 1994)
* The Moon is Rising (Country Town Music, 1996)
* "The Legendary Queen Of The West" (Boothill, 2000)
This World Is Not My Home
Rose Maddox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
My Saviour pardoned me and now I onward go
I know he'll take me through though I am weak and poor
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know...
[ steel ]
I have a loving mother just up in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know...
Just up in Gloryland we'll live eternaly the saints on every hand are shouting victory
Then songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know...
The lyrics of Rose Maddox's song "This World Is Not My Home" express the feelings of detachment and temporary existence in this world, as the singer sees herself as a passenger just passing by. She believes that her true home and treasures lie beyond the sky and that the angels are calling her from Heaven's open door. She cannot feel at home on this earth anymore, as her ultimate goal is to return to Heaven where she belongs. The singer finds solace in her strong faith and her friendship with God, feeling that she has no friend that can compare to the Lord. If Heaven is not her home, she wonders what else she could look forward to for it is the only place she is certain of. She is sure she's bound to meet her Savior at Heaven's open door, and with Him, she is willing to persevere despite her weakness, and lack of wealth. The singer mentions being reunited with her mother, who is already in Heaven, and cannot wait to shake her hand.
The song encapsulates the common belief among Christians, that Earth is not our final destination, but Heaven is. The concept of having treasures beyond the blue and that our true home is in a different realm, underscores the message of the lyrics. The song talks about the hope for eternal life and the desire to be with loved ones in a better place, imbuing the listener with a sense of longing for their heavenly home. The melody, supported by the steel guitar instrumental, reinforces the idea of a mournful longing to be where one belongs.
Line by Line Meaning
This world is not my home I'm just passing through
I don't feel like I belong in this world, like I'm just a visitor and I'm here temporarily.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
My true riches and rewards are waiting for me in heaven, not in this earthly world.
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
The angels are calling me to come home to heaven, where I belong.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
I feel out of place in this world and I long to be in my true home in heaven.
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
God, you are my one true friend and I rely on you to guide me through this world to my heavenly home.
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
My ultimate goal is to be in heaven, so if I don't make it there, I don't know what my purpose in life will be.
They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
My loved ones in heaven are waiting for me, and I trust in God to help me reach them.
My Saviour pardoned me and now I onward go
Jesus Christ has forgiven my sins and now I can continue on my journey to my eternal home in heaven.
I know he'll take me through though I am weak and poor
Even though I am not perfect and have flaws, I trust in God to help me reach my heavenly home.
I have a loving mother just up in Gloryland
My mother is already in heaven, and I look forward to joining her there.
And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
I will keep going on my journey until I am reunited with my mother in heaven.
She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door
My mother is eagerly awaiting my arrival in heaven.
Just up in Gloryland we'll live eternaly the saints on every hand are shouting victory
In heaven, we will live forever with God and all the other faithful believers, and we will celebrate our ultimate victory over the trials of this world.
Then songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore
From heaven, we will hear beautiful and joyful songs of praise to God.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
My heart longs for heaven, and I no longer feel like this earthly world is my true home.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.