Story Behind The Song
The song is a composite of many unresolved ideas that are always floating around in my mind. The lyrics are something I memorized on my way to visit relatives in Las Vegas a few years ago. The drive can be a little tedious at times. I found myself softly saying, "Jesus hear me crying don't you when I moan", at some point, I followed that up with, "my spirit is somewhere flying because my soul is dead and gone". This idea intrigued me, so I began to create a song to help pass the time while driving. The words felt pretty good. I began reciting them, over and over again, until I couldn't forget them. I think part of what's inspiring about the central theme of the song, is the idea that we learn from our mistakes. I'm not always enthusiastic about that concept because, despite it's apparent wisdom, we're still left accountable for the consequences of the mistake. Just because we've learned a lesson in "what not to do." We can all too readily, identify, with the idea of, "imploring God", to help us, when we face difficulties with challenges in life. This is evidence of the consequences of making a mistake. I'm a much bigger fan of learning from mistakes made by others. Not only, can I avoid the same mistake, but, I avoid the consequences associated with the mistake as well.
"Jesus Hear Me Crying", portrays the pain associated with learning from a mistake. Or, a generalization like, being a, "victim of circumstance". The songs story easily conveys the painful consequences of life's many fickle, random, unpredictable, twists and turns. The poignance of this observation in the songs theme, is consistent with the many trials and tribulations felt by African American's suffering life's heartaches in the American south. My intent was to illustrate that facet of the blues with Mississippi Delta Slide, and the shrill metallic clamor of an all copper Dobro. I always joke about it being my acoustic heavy metal guitar.
Song Description
Simply, in a word... Poof! There it is, you've got a new song. The theme that influenced the development of "Jesus Hear Me Crying", is the culmination of various periods of time in the American south. I always toy with nursery rhymes like, "Pop goes the Weasel", or "Frere' Jaques".
In this case, "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain", which is thought to be as old as 1780 to 1820(?). Anyway, it was a chain gang rant known (back then) as, "Who'll Drive The Chariot When She Comes." The chariot is always female. But, by the grace and serenity of God, Jesus best be the one driving. Alternative choices aren't so promising.
I immediately noticed a correlation with my "Jesus Hear Me Crying", lyric. My idea was to cross a lullaby, with a gospel, and arrive at???...(my footnotes suggest a hymn). The moment of inception for the song is really captured on the video. I had rehearsed themes, ideas, tried accompanied and studio quality takes. Eventually, I dropped the song from my revision project for my songwriting catalog. Only, to subsequently turn around and release this version on YouTube. The intro and outro guitar parts are made up right where you see them with the camera rolling.
That kind of spontaneity can't be planned or staged. I'm on this kick that says, "if it's good, it's good!" No amount of accompaniment, arrangement, or production can hide or fix what isn't already great. So, just like Michael Dowling's version of "Drop Down Mama"-by Sleepy John Estes. The recording in the National Guitar workshop, is Dowling's final cut for the album, featuring nothing more than a microphone, Dobro, and Dowling's voice...in the can!
| Song Length |
2:47 |
Genre |
Blues - Delta, Blues - Gospel |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Distressed, Poignant |
Subject |
Judgement, Heaven |
| Similar Artists |
Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Jesus hear me crying don'tcha when I moan
Jesus hear me crying don'tcha when I moan
My spirit's somewhere flying cuz my soul is dead and gone.
If I had an ounce of courage for every pound of faith
If I had an ounce of courage for every pound of faith.
I'da tipped the ton of worries that have laid my soul to waste.
I can't start living cuz I'm already dead
I can't start living cuz I'm already dead
I got an ice-pick through my heart and on my feet are boots of lead.
There ain't no redemption for the soul of this man
There ain't no redemption for the soul of this man
Jesus hear me crying help them others if you can