In 1997, Ryan began a relationship with Young Life performing regularly throughout the U.S. at their more than twenty camps. By the end of 1998 he had released his debut record, Cry for Me, produced by Michael Aukofer at Word/Myrhh studios in Nashville. Cry is filled with a host of skilled contributors including Phil Keagy, Phil Madeira, and Cristi Johnson of Alathea and with such diverse instrumentation as Hammond organ, hammered dulcimer, and Celtic bagpipes.
The following year as audiences and attention grew larger for Long, two compilations featuring his music were released. Paste put out their Paste Music Sampler 1 containing “Face It Alone” from Cry for Me. Also that year, The Awakening Compilation, vol. 3 was released with Long’s title track from Cry for Me.
In 2000, Alathea recorded a version of “Gypsy”, originally co-written by Long and Brad Layher. That same year Ryan also recorded “Gypsy” on his new record, Waiting by the Window. Produced by Aukofer at the Whitehouse in Nashville, Waiting was later dubbed the ”Best Follow-up CD” of the year by Paste Music. Waiting, while having the same intimacy, capable cast, and dynamic instrumentation as Cry, really stands out for its soulful and bluesy melodies that move you as much as the stories they -----set the stage for do. As more critical acclaim came for Long, Grassroots Music added the opening cut from Waiting entitled “The Wind in Me” to their Dialects compilation for Americana/Folk.
For Send Up a Flare, recorded in 2003, Long worked with producer Ed Cash. Bringing in only three other musicians (Ken Lewis, Ben Shive, and Byron House), Cash focused on Long’s vocals and guitar. With this minimalistic approach, Ryan’s vibrant and stimulating music and his complex lyrical narratives lend obvious depth to Flare. Great advances in maturity are revealed on this record through his sincere vocals and inventive guitar accompaniments.
Although Ryan’s recordings have been filled with supporting artists, he has chosen throughout the years to travel as a solo artist. His personal and introspective lyrics and his intimately connecting stage presence have brought him an ever-increasing number of staunchly loyal fans and friends every year. Thanks to these folks Ryan has sold over 20,000 CD’s as an independent artist.
Ryan currently lives on Signal Mountain in Chattanooga with his wife Carmen and his daughter Rebecca, and son Carson.
Family
Ryan Long Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it was fine and it just fell apart
it was mine but now i give it to you
you can fix it you know what to do
so let your love cover me
like a pair of angel wings
you are my family you are my family
stood outside in the summer rain
different people with a common pain
simple box in the hard red clay
where we left him to always remain
child who played with the moon and stars
waves a shach of hay in a common barn
in the lonely house of adam's fall
lies a child just a child that's all
crying let your love cover me
like a pair of angel wings
you are my family your are my family
you are my family your are my family
The song "Family" by Ryan Long is a heartfelt tribute to the people who form our chosen families. The opening lines describe a broken heart that was once fine but has now fallen apart. The singer offers this broken heart to their chosen family, trusting that they can fix it. The second verse takes a somber turn as the singer describes standing outside in the rain with different people who share a common pain. They seem to be attending a funeral or visiting a grave, as they describe a simple box in the hard red clay where they left someone to remain forever. The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the importance of this chosen family and the way their love can cover the singer like a pair of angel wings.
Line by Line Meaning
can you fix this it's a broken heart
Asking for help to mend a broken heart
it was fine and it just fell apart
Something was good, but suddenly went bad
it was mine but now i give it to you
Handing over ownership of something to someone else
you can fix it you know what to do
Confident that the other person has the ability to fix what is broken
so let your love cover me
Asking for emotional support
like a pair of angel wings
Describing the love as a protective shield
you are my family you are my family
Stating that the other person is like family
stood outside in the summer rain
Setting the scene of being outside in the rain
different people with a common pain
Pointing out that everyone is affected by pain
simple box in the hard red clay
Describing a burial site
where we left him to always remain
Saying that someone was buried there forever
child who played with the moon and stars
Describing a child's imagination and wonder
waves a shach of hay in a common barn
Visualizing a peaceful, rural setting
in the lonely house of adam's fall
Setting the scene of a solitary place
lies a child just a child that's all
Acknowledging that someone who passed away was just a child
crying let your love cover me
Asking for emotional support while feeling upset
like a pair of angel wings
Describing the love as a protective shield
you are my family your are my family
Stating that the other person is like family
you are my family your are my family
Repeating that the other person is like family
Writer(s): Pierce Ray Pettis Copyright: Polygram Int. Publishing Inc., Piercepettisongs
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.