Last week Paul shared his original song “Little Heart of Stone” on our Blind Pig and the Acorn YouTube channel. It’s the second time we have uploaded the song. The first upload was 16 years ago! Hard to believe it’s been so long.
In the video from last week that I’m sharing today, you can hear the song at the very beginning. After that you can hear Paul talk about how he wrote the song and at the end you can see the old video from 16 years ago with Pap and Paul singing. Amazing to me Paul wrote the song when he was in high school! It’s an amazing song—both the tune and the lyrics.
I enjoyed hearing Paul tell the background of the song as well as sing it, but what I’ve been focusing on is the 16 years between the two.
So many blessings have happened to our family during those years. At the top of the list is new members, some married into our family and some birthed into it. All are loved beyond measure.
We’ve lost loved ones during that time period, but we have the assurance of seeing them again thanks to the good Lord.
All those years ago I yearned and dreamed to make my living celebrating all things Appalachian and today I’m living that dream. I have much to be thankful for. God has richly blessed me.
Here’s the lyrics to “Little Heart of Stone”
On your empire of broke hearts, the sun never sets. In your castle so tall, you’ll live all alone With your little heart of stone. In your castle so tall, you’ll live all alone With your little heart of stone.
In your labor of leading on, some day you will tire, And then you will find all the suitors have flown From your little heart of stone. Yes, soon you will find all your suitors have flown From your little heart of stone.
The ruler of the blue, who reigns so untrue… Oh, who will take my place kneeling by the throne To face your little heart of stone? Oh, who will take my place kneeling by the throne To face your little heart of stone?
In a kingdom of falling tears, you’ll spend all your years. If only once, true love you had known, There’d be a crack in your little heart of stone. If only once, true love you had known, There’d be a crack in your little heart of stone.
Hope you enjoyed the song and the background information too!
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a copy of the cd Paul produced Live to Never Die. It has selected original songs written by Jerry “Pap” Marshall Wilson. Pap and Paul are both featured on the cd. Along with the original songs there are five classic hymns sung by Pap. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 27, 2025.
Tipper
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I’ve been learning to play the guitar. It’s so fun!
I would love to have a cd featuring Paul and Pap.
What a pretty song. Love hearing music from your family!
The whole family is so talented. It’s amazing!
I really enjoyed Paul’s song and really, really loved hearing it being sung by him and y’all’s daddy. I found myself singing along too. Prayers up for all the prayer requests. Having such things going on is hard, but seems even harder during the family oriented holidays. May God be with us all during these upcoming holidays and always. Healing those in need, feeding those without and comforting those who miss loved ones whatever the needs are. Praise God our Father, in Jesus name. Amen.
Wow – great song! Paul, you are so very talented as are members of your family. This song certainly has a Gordon Lightfoot feel which is quite a compliment to you. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert, not in his prime, but in his later years. You are masterful on the guitar and the video of you and your daddy singing and playing this song together, is masterful. Thank you for sharing this song with us! I would treasure a CD.
Great song, Paul I really loved the version with your dad. So special and so many memories. love that you sing it in the kitchen, the heart of the home.❤️
I have Paul’s CD and enjoy listening to it so much. I also purchased one for my dad. He has enjoyed it, also. I am so happy that Paul was able to make such a wonderful tribute to your daddy.
Paul is very talented with his song writing and singing. I enjoy hearing him sing, so much.
You and your family are very inspiring and fun to watch as you go about your everyday lives.
Praying for Granny as always that she can be free of pain.
Paul is a great songwriter. prayers for Granny.
Beautiful!
Thank you for sharing your gifts, Paul.
I always enjoy Paul’s music. Thank you for the beautiful although sad song. Blessings to the family especially Granny. Happy Thanksgiving week.
Paul has such an enchanting voice.
As always praying for Granny.
Great song!
I enjoyed listening to Paul sing and talk about him and Pap. Daddy went to be with the LORD in 2011. I miss him so much. Mama went to heaven on November 4th. She was my best friend and had a heart of gold!! I am devastated, especially with the holidays coming up. I will make it through somehow, but I keep thinking about the song “How do I live without You”. Blessed Sunday to you and all of the blind pig and acorns.
Cathy, I’m so sorry you lost her. I will pray for you!!
Thank you Tipper
I am astounded that Paul wrote those lyrics in high school! What a man of intellect, which we’ve seen in his Blind Pig guest posts. Thanks for sharing the sentimental thoughts this morning, Tipper. You’ve got me thinking, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner and as I watch my parents age.
barb and jeffery i”m praying for your loved ones. paul your singing is always beautiful.
yesterday i was out trying to shop at a couple places ending up at hobby lobby. ive got my left wrist in a splint -sprained it- but im good. sooo many dear people were so sweet and caring to me. pulling out buggies that were stuck and giving me a good one, 3 teenage girls were in an aisle i turned into and they were excited about getting some art supplies and asked me if i could take their picture, why i would love to i said. could you pick up this 12 pint size glass jars and put it in this top basket i can slide it but cant pick it up. seeing the splint on my wrist they almost ran over each other getting to me and putting the box in the top basket. they quickly said you don’t need to take our picture but thanks for offering. such precious young ladies! as i was walking on down through the store i heard little boys and girls laughter just bubbling over- don’t know about ya all, but their laughter is music to my soul. by the end of the day when i got home my left hand was really swollen but i was over-whelmed with all the sweet and caring actions of people i didn’t even know to the point of tears in my eyes. still feel that way this morning. gotta leave and get to church now hope ya all have a good day. God is faithful.
See, thank you for sharing your inspiring day! I will pray for your injury to heal.
A female suitor would be a suitress. It’s little used but a word nonetheless. The thought of a female pursuing a paramour has negative connotations. It happens though, with the same frequency as its opposite if not greater.
I enjoyed your song this morning. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day everyone.
Paul was so ‘gifted’ to be writing all the wonderful songs he did at such a young age. As the old saying goes: ‘the apple didn’t fall far from the tree’ and he continues to bless us all with sharing all his musical abilities and knowledge.
Great posting. I have learned so much about music from Paul’s in-depth explanation of each song. As you I cannot believe Paul wrote this beautiful song while in high school. Love seeing him and his father sing it. Memories that will last forever. Praying for all of your family include Granny. Have a blessed day.
Wow Paul! This one could easily be a hit! Just love it. Thank you for sharing.
This is a wonderful message for today; so many of us are blessed beyond measure, and many do not realize it. I really enjoy seeing Paul maintain the channel with his songs and stories. Your whole family truly celebrates Appalachia! Thanksgiving blessings sent to all of you and especially granny. Hugs
Paul, I enjoyed your song today. You have a beautiful voice.
I would love a copy of that CD. Paul does a great job as usual. Pray that me and my sister can sing He Touched Me this morning. We have sung all our lives, but when we developed allergies, it was hard for us to keep our vocals clear. God bless
Drama, I hope you were able to sing 🙂
God bless Paul, God bless Granny Wilson, God bless Tipper and her family, I got to visit with my brother that has cancer yesterday, praise God I got to see him, thank you for praying for him God bless you and have a great day
Norman, I’m so glad you got to see him!
I love the Christmas cd I have and I’m sure I’d love this one!
I will pray for those facing health issues. Have a blessed Sunday all.
Great job Paul.
Like others I would have thought the song was about love lost without Paul’s explanation. I remember hearing it some time ago either on this site or on one of the CDs.
We had a get to gather with my wife’s family yesterday and there’s so many that are gone since we started this annual event some 20 years ago. There’s also a huge number of younger ones. I got to hold the youngest one – one month old. Several pictures were made of the oldest (me) holding the youngest.
I loved listening to you Paul singing your song and especially loved seeing and hearing Pap with you. The harmony was so beautiful and I love the song. Thank you for sharing.
I forgot to add, I never tire of hearing your daddy sing! It’s such a blessing!
Thank you Tipper and Paul for all you do! I will listen to the song after church today. Happy Sunday!
I enjoy Paul’s music and music history. He has a soothing sound. I have the CD and enjoy it so much.
Barbara, Im sorry about your son and will say a prayer for him.
Randy, you’re so right, it’s the simple things in life that mean the most. People always remember how you make them feel. Hug tighter, squeeze longer, and tell others they are loved!
God bless y’all!
I have always liked songs in minor keys. My favorite is the one we rarely sing at church–“Flee as a Bird”. That may not be the title but it is the first verse of the song.
Thank you for sharing your original song with us. You are so very talented & I appreciate all the back history of the songs you play on the videos. I’m thankful for you! Prayers for Granny.
That’s an interesting song. Not one I had heard. Enjoy the songs keep them coming.
Good morning everyone. I enjoyed hearing the song again today. Paul and Pap are always a pleasure to listen to, as is the whole family. I gotta go cook breakfast for my son. Please keep him in your prayers for healing whatever it is that is killing him. Keeping everyone in my prayers. Shouting praises to GOD for everything in my life. I love y’all.
Barbara, I will pray for your son.
I said a prayer for you and your son Barbara. Please keep my family in your prayers as my son-in-law was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer a few weeks ago. To see him, he looks like a healthy forty year old father, son, brother, and husband. We serve a mighty God and have seen the power of prayers many times and if it is the Lord’s will, we will witness another.
Jeffery, I’m sorry to hear that. I will pray for your son-in-law.
Would love the CD! My daughter and I visited the John C Campbell folk school yesterday! Very impressive and want to go back soon. The gift shop has so many beautiful things. I love when you you talk about it on Utube.
A beautiful song, sung by a truly beautiful voice.
I love all the blindpigandtheacrorn segments but Sundays and the musical ones are my favorite. I’d love to have the cd! What a wonderful witness you’ve had for all these 16 years!!!
Paul certainly has a gift! Thank you for sharing.
I hope Paul didn’t write this song because of having his heart broken, I know of several bachelor men that never tried to love another after having their hearts broken as young teenage boys. I realize I am blessed each day with just waking up breathing. When I look back over the last 20 years, one of the first things I think of is the number of family members and friends that have died, the number would well be up into 2 digits. I know I will be with my family members again, they were all “saved,” but in the meantime I have to try to go on living without them. It seems like my life has been downhill and with many heartaches since I turned 50. My wife and daughter’s deaths being among the hardest. One week ago this morning, I got a phone call telling me one of my lifelong friends had died. He got up to walk away from the table after eating supper and fell over in the floor dead. At his funeral it was told that one of his young grandchildren was asked what she remembered the most about her “Pop,” her answer was of him coming to her home and eating supper with her – he would do this at least once a week. It is the simple little things in life you do with family and friends you will be remembered for. Without being religious, nothing in life more valuable or important than time spent with family or friends. I think of Ed writing a few days ago of how happy he was to spend time with some of his family. I hope you don’t wait too late to realize this.