Today I’m sharing another one of my favorite “Pickin & Grinnin’ in the Kitchen Spots.” We uploaded “Just a Touch of the Past” to our YouTube channel in August of 2009. Shortly after that I shared it here on the Blind Pig and The Acorn.
I worked for a nice lady who’s since passed away in the summer of 2009. The drive to her house took me along roads I often traveled as a child in the backseat of Pap and Granny’s car.
I spent those summer days reliving memories that lay along the road going from Brasstown to Pine Log and on into Warne. I shared them in the post I wrote about the song.
“Just a Touch of the Past” was written by Larry Perkins or at least I believe it was. This is what Paul said about it when we uploaded it to Youtube in 2009:
“Song about old memories…This may have been written by Larry Perkins. We’re not sure. It appeared on an album featuring him and a lot of “all stars” of bluegrass. It won album of the year from IBMA some time in the late 80’s or early 90’s. The tune is a little similar to “In the Sweet Bye and Bye,” but the lyrics are sublime.”
I couldn’t find any information about the song being part of the album of the year, but Paul is spot on when he says the lyrics are sublime.
“Just a Touch of the Past”
Just a touch of the past is I’ll I’m asking Just a feeling I’m wanting to know Its a time where my spirit is walking Its a place where I’m longing to go
How I love the old songs that they are singing How they make my old heart beat with joy They’re a light in an ocean of darkness That surrounds all my years as a boy
Now I know all the sadness of the traveler who has gone far away from his home And he knows he can never return there for the place and the people are gone
How I wish that my heart could ever wonder in those days that will be first and last In my memory of things to be cherished Let me live with a touch of the past
Over the last few weeks I’ve been listening to our version of “Just a Touch of the Past.” As Pap would say, I’ve been hearing it anew.
The first time I listened to it again my first thought was “Wow what a song!”
As I continued to listen to it in the following days my heart was moved in a variety of ways. The words set my thoughts to churning in so many different directions I didn’t know which to study first.
I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do because I plan to talk about it for the rest of this week.
Tipper
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Tipper I have a good song title Sitting along with ‘my Memories . Maybe your girls could write the lyrics. I make up songs while riding with my Truman and singing them but never have a pencil and paper when I need it and then I forget ha ha . Maybe one day I write you one
Tipper this brought back so many good memories of listening to the Wilson Brothers on radio. My first husband who is deceased played in two bands and made some music with the Wilson Brothers at the Folk school his band was playing one Friday night and the Wilson Brothers were performing too that night. (Bill Younce and The Country Boys) they did a lot of benefits for people. My sweet hubby now likes to hear me sing but he only can play the radio:Tv my nephew had a mountain dulcimer made for me now I can entertain us on it I love to play Red River Valley and sing and near To the Heart if God also love to make music on my piano and sing and yodel. Tipper thanks for sharing all the post with us. We now have time on our hands singing and making music ; oh throw in a good story to write once in a Coon age
Beautiful!
That song reminds me of another of my favorites “Precious Memories”
“Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul” That’s pretty much all I have to hold on to any more. My wife has gone on to heaven, my children have their own families now and even the dog that used to come to eat my table scraps died. So touches of the past and precious memories fill most of my day.
just so love this song so much thanks for sharing with us again when are you going to release a dvd of all your beautiful music i would be first up to buy it have a beautiful week
Tipper,
For some reason, of all the songs that Paul and Pap does, That is my Favorite. Another favorite of mine is “The old House”, by Maria Doutry and her Dad. We had Panes like in the Video where we could look out and see life from our Kitchen. One time (I think it was Ben who asked, “Why do we sing and play Old Songs that talk of killing and dying and all?) Well, it reminds us of where we come from, and where we are going. …Ken
That song really touches the heart!! Beautiful and I never heard it before so thanks for playing it.