And as a songwriter, I'm always reading the lyrics of great writers like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earl and other notable singer/songwriters. But one of my favorite songwriters that hasn't had much mainstream success is a gentleman by the name of Tom Russell.
Tom has had a stellar career of songwriting and he's had songs recorded by a lot of the greats. But my favorite tune he wrote was recorded by Gretchen Peters and it is called "Guadalupe".
It's a story of a down and out "sinner" that is looking deep into the Catholic faith and how it has been affected and changed over the centuries.
The lyrics are absolutely amazing and the melody sets your heart in some place like Chihuahua, Mexico or the jungles of Peru..just fantastic.
I hope you enjoy this epic journey into songwriting genius. You'll be back to listen again for sure. I've included the lyrics below the video, so you can follow along.
Enjoy!!! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The Impulsive Texan
Guadalupe
Songwriter: TOM RUSSELL
There are ghosts out in the rain tonight
High up in those ancient trees
Lord, I've given up without a fight
Another blind fool on his knees
And all the gods that I'd abandoned here
Begin to speak in simple tongues
Lord, suddenly I've come to know
There are no roads left to run.
Now it's the hour of dogs a barkin'
That's what the old ones used to say
It's first light or it's sundown
Before the children cease their play
And when the mountains glow like mission wine
And turn grey like a Spanish roan
Ten thousand eyes will stop to worship
Then turn away and head on home
And she is reaching out her arms tonight
And, yes, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down again
From Guadalupe on her hill
And who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
She appeared to Juan Diego
And she left her image on his cape
Five hundred years of sorrow
Have not destroyed their deepest faith
But here I am your ragged disbeliever
Old doubting Thomas drowns in tears
As I've watched your church sink through the earth
Like a heart borne down through fear.
And she is reaching out her arms tonight
And, yes, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down again
From Guadalupe on her hill
And who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
High up in those ancient trees
Lord, I've given up without a fight
Another blind fool on his knees
And all the gods that I'd abandoned here
Begin to speak in simple tongues
Lord, suddenly I've come to know
There are no roads left to run.
Now it's the hour of dogs a barkin'
That's what the old ones used to say
It's first light or it's sundown
Before the children cease their play
And when the mountains glow like mission wine
And turn grey like a Spanish roan
Ten thousand eyes will stop to worship
Then turn away and head on home
And she is reaching out her arms tonight
And, yes, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down again
From Guadalupe on her hill
And who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
She appeared to Juan Diego
And she left her image on his cape
Five hundred years of sorrow
Have not destroyed their deepest faith
But here I am your ragged disbeliever
Old doubting Thomas drowns in tears
As I've watched your church sink through the earth
Like a heart borne down through fear.
And she is reaching out her arms tonight
And, yes, my poverty is real
I pray roses shall rain down again
From Guadalupe on her hill
And who am I to doubt these mysteries
Cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
I am the least of all your pilgrims here
But I am most in need of hope.
What a great song! Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed it and off to listen to some more!
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