Pap has written hundreds of songs over the years. I’ve always liked the songs he writes, but as I get older it seems they’ve taken on a brighter meaning for me because I know each word is a description of what’s in Pap’s heart and mind.
At The Name Of Jesus is a song Pap wrote almost 10 years ago. From the first time I heard it I loved it. The song has a lonesome sound to it, almost reminiscent of the ballads Appalachia is so often associated with.
I liked the song so much, that when the girls first started singing with Pap in church I begged (then forced) them to learn it. At that young age, they thought the ‘whoo’ humming part was embarrassing and they never did do the song more than once or twice.
A few months ago one of us remembered the song and the Blind Pig Gang has been practicing it ever since. After hearing it a time or two Chitter was able to play the tune on her fiddle. We all agree the fiddle adds the perfect touch-it’s almost like Pap wrote it way back then and for all the years in between the song patiently waited to be played with all the needed instruments.
I hope you enjoyed Pap’s song. It’s unlikely anyone could like it as much as I do since I’m more than prejudice when it comes to anything to do with Pap.
Over the last several months, when the song has been weaving its way through my mind during my busy days, it made me think of judgment. More than obvious Pap’s pointing out the final judgment, but that isn’t exactly what I’ve been studying on.
Maybe justice would describe my feelings more. Justice is something most people would agree they want. Yet sometimes the only justice we have is deep inside ourselves where we know what’s right and we know what’s wrong and that just has to be enough.
If you’ve been a Blind Pig reader for a good long while then you know about songs telling me stories. One Sunday afternoon as we played the song I thought of a man standing alone on a precipice with a cold wind blowing his hair and the knowledge of the evil deed he had done pushing down his shoulders with an unbearable weight. Just for a few seconds I thought “His story seems so real I think I could write a whole book about him.”
Tipper
What an amazing song. You have such a talented family. Thank you for posting it.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Wow!! What a great song. Sure to be one of our BP favorites.
Tipper this is one beautiful song and it truly has a story to tell. I keep coming back to listen to it again. Thanks for sharing!
Mighty fine!!
You have good reason to be partial to Pap. There is SO much talent in that kitchen.:)
Special and beautiful. Loved it!
Hello Tipper
Pap beautiful this song, I liked it and the violin exactly in perspective.
On this Palm Sunday, which recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and is the beginning of Holy Week for us Catholic Christians, I wish you, your husband DH, Pap, Paul, to Chatter and Chitter, and rest of your family and friends of the Appalachians, to celebrate and have Happy Easter, brothers in the Lord, brothers and sisters of all faiths, races and colors.
As my grandfather always said a saying very Spanish, “God bless you son, and I do not forsake”(Que Dios te bendiga hijo, y a mí, no me desampare).
A big hug, Jose Luis from Argentina.
I listened to the one song on Sandra’s blog and now am listening to this one, these songs are fantastic!!! Your family is blessed with a talent that is a real outreach!!!
Tipper,
That’s another beautiful song by
The Blind Pig Gang. I love all the
interaction too, Chitter bobbin’
up and down a bit like Conway Twitty always did, Chatter snappin’ those pretty black eyes at first one, then another, Paul
and Pap’s blended voices that just
soothe one’s soul, and that terrific Johnny Cash sound to
insure perfect timing…Ken
Amen & Amen!!! Thank you for that one. It’s especially uplifting in this time of darkness and deceit. We know HE is coming soon!
Your thoughts of a man standing on a precipice with weight of his deeds on his shoulders reminds me of the story of Billy Joe Shaver who had led a rough life with serious drug and alcohol problems who climbed to a ledge with thoughts of ending it all when he decided to pray, after surrendering it all to God he came down off the mountain and penned “I’m just an old chunk of coal” which has been recorded by several performers. Anyone with problems needs to Google the song and listen to the message contained within. It contains a great message that all things are possible when we admit that we aren’t perfect but if we surrender our problems to the Lord he can accomplish great things with our imperfect bodies and souls. It’s funny how a thought can bring back old memories. I enjoyed Pap’s song also and as usual he, Paul and the girls did a great job. I hope everyone has a great day and that the weatherman totally misses the snow forecast for WNC.
You ARE writing a book, Tipper; we’re reading it, aren’t we?
I’ve got a picture of a feller by the name of Lonnie standing alone on the edge of a precipice, so if not for a couple of things, it could’ve been him. First, I’ve not been able to blame any evil deeds on him, though no doubt there are some back there somewhere.
But the part about the wind blowing his hair definitely doesn’t fit 😉
As you well know, Pap’s music has a mighty special place in the Casada family, and this would not be the first time that songs he wrote found a special place decades after the writing.
I’ve got a feeling that when it comes to Pap, there’s a awful mess of prejudiced folks – that was evident when you all performed at Brasstown last fall.
Ne too, I just love this song. Thank you so much for sharing it. Tell Pap it is so beautiful.
The song is beautiful; the fiddle playing is absolutely great. I sent the link to a friend and his wife said he cried all the way through it! And Yes! It would be way cool to write a book. You can, and should, do it. And you should get started…some of us are getting old and we want to read it too!!
Being prejudiced doesn’t make you wrong. In this case you’re right, unless I am prejudiced too. In that case we are both right. The fiddle is a nice touch but it is the bass that is the heartbeat of the song. Try it sometime with only the bass and you’ll see what I mean.
Did little Miss Chitter get to finish her nap?
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing this today, which for me is Palm Sunday.
I Love this song. Is there a place where I can get the words an the guitar chords
Wonderfully done,, a true and powerful message,, I listen to Bro. Adrian Rodgers as much as I can, on internet or radio,, and I heard him preach a message about “God is not fair” I heard the “not fair” term used by some folks over the years,, Bro Adrian brought out that “being fair is getting what you deserve.. God is not fair.. or we would get what we deserve.. We should be thankful he’s “Merciful”.. and we don’t get what we deserve.. Love the song,, but most of all love what’s in “Paps heart”..
You should write a book! A setting in Appalachia with a catchy title would be a best seller. Add to this your talent for getting right into the heart, and you would have a sure winner.
Writing a book was on my bucket list, but I have found myself busier in retirement than when I worked. So very much interesting history can be found in these mountains.
I am very intrigued by an old mansion standing on a hillside in a once thriving coal camp. Its various occupants have had a history of murder and embezzlement down through the years. It seems nobody ever just moved away, but the occupants all had some tragic ending. We once went to look it over when it was empty, and I definitely had an eerie feeling standing in the yard of this huge relic perched on a mountainside surrounded by woods. I have since realized a good book about its history is a best seller in the making.
tell Pap i love this song and it is my favorite from all the ones i have listened to here. and the violin is perfect.
Enjoyed the song. Great as always. Hope u decide to write the book.
It will be cool, I have no doubt!
Beautiful song; the fiddle adds to it wonderfully. Keep dreaming of writing a book. I would love to read it.
I loved the song Tipper!