Vito was born in Tecumseh, Michigan, and attended Western Michigan University where he developed a love for writing poetry. His first book of poems, Self-Portrait as Jerry Quarry, was published by New Issues Press in 2002. A self-described agnostic, Vito experienced a spiritual conversion at the age of 20 and soon after enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary to study theology and prepare for ordained ministry. Currently he is the senior pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church, a church he planted in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, in 2005.
Raised on a farm, by a gentleman farmer father and choir teacher mother, in the same small town as Vito, Monique moved to New York City after high school to study art, first at the Cooper Union (BFA), then Columbia University (MFA). Since then she has worked as a pre-school teacher, craftmaker for Martha Stewart, and as a mother. She also serves as the Welcome Wagon’s resident visual artist.
But at the heart of it—if you really listen carefully—there’s just a pastor and his wife singing joyfully in the quiet privacy of their own home.
The Welcome Wagon began as husband and wife singing in the privacy of their home. Having little to no previous musical experience or training, Vito purchased a guitar with the desire to sing hymns with his family. With Monique accompanying on toy glockenspiel or harmonica, the two would amble through old hymnals, psalters and prayerbooks. Their inability to read music was no big issue; Vito simply made up new tunes to old words.
While their most familiar venue was (and is) their living room, the Welcome Wagon have been periodically coaxed to small stages at bars, parties, and seminaries throughout the New York City area, often joined by friends on upright bass, drums, piano, and banjo. These intimate arrangements preserve the delicate nature of the Welcome Wagon’s identity.
But there is another Welcome Wagon, the one that can be heard on their debut album, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon. This version of the band retains the heart and soul of pastor and his wife singing together, but dresses them up in the transcendent musical vestments of Sufjan Stevens, who produced and helped arrange the record.
Those who enjoyed the Welcome Wagon’s debut album will notice their distinct sound again in their sophmore release: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices – loose, jangly, comfortable, a gathering of friends making music together. It’s at times jaunty and toe-tapping, at others quietly contemplative, an alt-folk gem that sounds very much like it comes out of the Asthmatic Kitty camp. But while the first album was recorded over the course of eight years in various venues, this one was done in five days at the library of an old rectory in Brooklyn. And while recording artist and AK co-owner Sufjan Stevens produced WW’s first album, he’s less noticeable on this collection, produced by Alexander Foote, who also plays guitars, organ, autoharp, percussion, and some piano. (Stevens does play banjo and piano and sings in the choir on several songs here.)
Admittedly, for a gospel duo, there’s far less soul than sweet sincerity in the casual songs of the Welcome Wagon. Vito and his wife are unabashedly Midwestern, ordinary and uncool. But this is precisely what sets them apart from the standard fare of contemporary liturgical music. It doesn’t feign emotion; it doesn’t pander to stylistic pretensions; it doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: the result of countless, informal social exchanges between friends. A home-cooked meal followed by a few microphones taped to folding chairs. A family gathering, a summary of happy noises, and a room crowded with familiar faces. Sure, there are showy guitar riffs and piano codas and harmonica solos, a rowdy chorus, an imposing flourish of brass instruments like wartime canons. But at the heart of it—if you really listen carefully—there’s just a pastor and his wife singing joyfully in the quiet privacy of their own home
But For You Who Fear My Name
The Welcome Wagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Son of righteousness will rise
With healing in his wings
And you shall go forth again
And skip about like calves
Coming from their stalls at last
You shall be my very own
Caused you to be my special home
I shall spare you as a man
Has compassion on his son
Who does the best he can
But for you who fear my name
The Son of righteousness will rise
With healing in his wings
And you shall go forth again
And skip about like calves
Coming from their stalls at last
You shall be my very own
On the day that I
Caused you to be my special home
I shall spare you as a man
Has compassion on his son
Who does the best he can
But for you who fear my name
The Son of righteousness will rise
With healing in his wings
And you shall go forth again
And skip about like calves
Coming from their stalls at last
The lyrics of The Welcome Wagon's "But For You Who Fear My Name" are a powerful message of hope and comfort for those who fear and honor God’s name. The song suggests that those who fear God are already God’s special home, and that they will be spared on the day of judgment, just as a compassionate father spares his son who does his best.
The verse "The Son of righteousness will rise / With healing in his wings" is a reference to Malachi 4:2, which prophesizes the coming of the Messiah who will bring salvation and healing to those who fear God. The chorus, "And you shall go forth again / And skip about like calves / Coming from their stalls at last," is an image of liberation and joy that awaits those who have put their trust in God.
Overall, the song is a reminder that there is hope for those who feel lost and alone, and that God's love will shine upon them, even in their darkest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
But for you who fear my name
This message is intended for you who maintain respect and reverence for Me.
The Son of righteousness will rise
I will send My Son, who is righteousness personified, to come forth and shine His light on you.
With healing in his wings
My Son will come to you with soothing and curative powers, as if carrying medicine in His wings.
And you shall go forth again
As a result of receiving My Son's healing and loving touch, you will be empowered and restored to your former glory.
And skip about like calves
You will rejoice like young cattle, frisking and hopping out of sheer delight and happiness.
Coming from their stalls at last
You will break free from the confinements that once held you back, and finally experience complete freedom and liberation.
You shall be my very own
You will belong completely to Me, cherished and protected like My dearest possession.
On the day that I
On the day that I choose to demonstrate My unending love and mercy to you.
Caused you to be my special home
You became My chosen dwelling place, a sacred and holy sanctuary for Me to reside in.
I shall spare you as a man
Like a compassionate father who shows mercy to his own child, I will spare you from afflictions and hardships.
Who does the best he can
Knowing that you try your best to do what is right, I will be there to guide you and offer support and forgiveness when you stumble.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.