The Rankins come from a family of 12, all of whom would entertain the neighbours musically every third weekend as part of a ceilidh.
Five of the siblings began performing professionally in 1989. The Rankins released their own independent cassettes The Rankin Family (1989) and Fare Thee Well Love (1990) featuring original songs and a combination of traditional jigs, reels and Celtic folk songs. Their television debut was on the CBC variety show On The Road Again in 1989.
Their most successful album was EMI's re-release of Fare Thee Well Love in 1992, which went quadruple platinum, selling over 500,000 copies; the title track was one of the year's biggest Top 40 hit singles in Canada.
The group has won many Canadian music awards, including 15 East Coast Music Awards, 6 Juno Awards, 4 SOCAN Awards, 3 Canadian Country Music Awards and 2 Big Country Music Awards.
On September 17, 1999, the group issued a press release stating that they would no longer perform as a group in order to pursue independent interests and careers.
John Morris Rankin was killed in a car accident in Cape Breton on January 16, 2000.
Jimmy Rankin has continued to write songs and has released two solo albums: Song Dog (2001) and Handmade (2003).
In November 2006, it was announced that the four surviving Rankins — along with John Morris's daughter Molly — would be releasing a new album and reuniting for a cross-Canada concert tour.
On June 3, 2012, Raylene Rankin appeared on CBC Radio's The Sunday Edition where she spoke about her decade-long struggle with cancer. She died on September 30, 2012 at the age of 52.
Discography
* The Rankin Family (independent, 1989)
* Fare Thee Well Love (independent, 1990)
* Fare Thee Well Love [CD re-issue] (Capitol, 1992)
* The Rankin Family [CD re-issue] (Capitol, 1992)
* North Country (EMI, 1993)
* Endless Seasons (EMI, 1995)
* Grey Dusk Of Eve (EMI, 1995)
* Collection (EMI, 1996)
* Do You Hear...Christmas (EMI, 1997)
* Uprooted (EMI, 1998)
* Souvenir:1989-1998 (2003)
Sunday Morning
The Rankin Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I walked on the ground
He rose up to heaven
And I'm still coming down
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
From Saturday night
It's comin Sunday morning
In the cold light of morning
In the cold light of day
In the cold light I'm freezing
I got nothing left to say
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
From Saturday night
It's comin Sunday morning
And I'm a long way from feelin alright
I'm so far away from wherever I am
I'm so far away from wherever I am
(fiddle reel)
I'm so far away from wherever I am
I'm so far away from wherever I am
I woke up Sunday morning
Saw a shining silver spark rise up
Above the highest tree
That crossed Rosita Park
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
From Saturday night
It's comin Sunday morning
And I'm a long way from feelin alright
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
From Saturday night
It's comin Sunday morning
And I'm a long way from feelin alright
It's comin Sunday and I'm feelin alright
The Rankin Family's song "Sunday Morning" explores the feeling of disconnection and distance from oneself and spirituality. The opening lines of the song create a contrast between the religious figure of Jesus, who walked on water and ascended to heaven, and the singer, who is still grounded and struggling. The repetition of the phrase "a long way" emphasizes the emotional distance that the singer feels from a sense of wellbeing. The singer is struggling to feel okay after a night of partying on Saturday night, which is juxtaposed with the fresh, optimistic start of a new day on Sunday morning.
The chorus, "It's comin Sunday morning / And I'm a long way from feelin alright," reinforces the notion that Sunday should evoke a sense of spirituality and peace, but the singer is still wrestling with their demons. The line "I'm so far away from wherever I am" suggests that the singer is lost in their own thoughts and is struggling to connect with their surroundings. The final verse creates a glimmer of hope as the singer sees a shining spark in the sky, perhaps symbolizing a moment of divine intervention that will lead them to a path of healing.
Line by Line Meaning
He walked on the water
He, likely referring to Jesus, was able to do miraculous things like walking on water
I walked on the ground
I, an ordinary person, cannot do miraculous things like walking on water
He rose up to heaven
He, likely referring to Jesus, ascended to heaven
And I'm still coming down
I, an ordinary person, remain on earth
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
The distance between Saturday night and Sunday morning, both symbolizing two different states of mind, is far
From Saturday night
Saturday night symbolizes a wild and carefree state of mind typically associated with partying and having fun
It's comin Sunday morning
Sunday morning symbolizes a more somber and reflective state of mind associated with the end of the weekend and the start of a new week
And I'm a long way from feelin alright
The transition from Saturday night to Sunday morning is difficult emotionally and mentally
In the cold light of morning
Morning symbolizes a sober and critical examination of things
In the cold light of day
Day symbolizes reality and the harshness of life
In the cold light I'm freezing
The realization of reality is overwhelming and causes one to feel numb
I got nothing left to say
The overwhelming emotions and realizations have left one speechless
I'm so far away from wherever I am
The emotional and mental struggle has created a disconnect between one's physical self and emotional state
I woke up Sunday morning
The transition into Sunday morning, symbolizing a more introspective state of mind, has occurred
Saw a shining silver spark rise up
Witnessed something transformative and enlightening
Above the highest tree
Well above one's current state of being
That crossed Rosita Park
A specific location that may hold personal significance
And it's a long way, a long way, a long way
The emotional journey is still ongoing
And I'm feelin alright
A sense of acceptance and peace has been achieved
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.