THE HALFWAY GROUND (2007)
What do you call it when Atwater~Donnelly and five remarkable friends get together to play great old-time gospel? You call it Jerimoth Hill after the highest point in little Rhode Island, home of Elwood Donnelly and his wife Aubrey Atwater. With this, their tenth recording, Aubrey on mountain dulcimer, banjo and mandolin, and Elwood on lead vocals and guitar are joined by Cathy Clasper-Torch, fiddle and cello; Heidi Cerrigione, autoharp; John Cerrigione, bass; Uriah Donnelly, piano and lead guitar; and Kevin Doyle, percussion.
With The Halfway Ground, Elwood Donnelly — of Atwater~Donnelly — presents his long-awaited gospel album. This endeavor summarizes years of research throughout those hidden pockets of America where music, as an integral part of daily life, weaves an emotional thread through work and play, commitment and faith, endurance and hope, struggle and peace. The Halfway Ground, where the hereafter is ever-present in conversation and song, and greener pastures are a simple assurance.
The result is the glorious five-part harmony of Jerimoth Hill. So, breathe deeply as these songs meander their way through your discerning ear and into your heart to meet your spirit on The Halfway Ground.
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A Soul Like Me
Lyrics by John Newton, Melody by Krishna Das inspired by an ancient Tibetan chant
lyrics
Alle-luia, Alle-luia
Alle, Alle, Alle-luia
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a soul, a soul like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, so blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, oh Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
The hour I first, I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have, we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace, oh grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope, my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life, as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life, this life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy, of joy and peace.
The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun, the sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be, shall be forever mine.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining, shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first, we first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a soul, a soul like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, so blind, but now, I see.
Alle-luia, Alle-luia
Alle, Alle, Alle-luia
credits
from The Halfway Ground 2007,
released May 9, 2007
Elwood Donnelly: lead vocals
Aubrey Atwater: vocals
Heidi Cerrigione: vocals
John Cerrigione: vocals
Uriah Donnelly: piano
Kevin Doyle: percussion
Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella
pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork....more
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