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songs my mother sang

by Jennifer Leonhardt

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sandy stromberg I've been following Jenn for years. She is amazingly talented, proud to say I own all her albums!!! <3 Favorite track: Let Me Fly.
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1.
We shall meet but we shall miss him There will be one vacant chair. We shall linger to caress him While we breathe our ev'ning prayer. When one year ago we gathered, Joy was in his mild blue eye. Now the golden cord is severed, and our hopes in ruin lie. Chorus: We shall meet, but we shall miss him. There will be one vacant chair. We shall linger to caress him While we breathe our ev'ning prayer. True, they tell us wreaths of glory Evermore will deck his brow, But this soothes the anguish only, Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now. Sleep today, o early fallen, In thy green and narrow bed. Dirges from the pine and cypress Mingle with the tears we shed. Chorus We shall meet, but we shall miss him. There will be one vacant chair. We shall linger to caress him While we breathe our ev'ning prayer.
2.
Bright morning stars are rising, Bright morning stars are rising, Bright morning stars are rising, Day is breaking in my soul Oh, where are our dear mothers? Oh, where are our dear mothers? They are gone to heaven shouting Day is breaking in my soul Oh, where are our dear fathers? Oh, where are our dear fathers? They are in the valley praying Day is breaking in my soul Oh, where are our dear sisters? Oh, where are our dear sisters? They are gone to heaven shouting Day is breaking in my soul Oh, where are our dear brothers? Oh, where are our dear brothers? They are in the valley praying Day is breaking in my soul
3.
My heart is sad and I'm in sorrow, For the only one I love; When will I see her, no, no never 'Til we meet in heaven above. Bury me beneath the willow, 'Neath the weeping willow tree; When I lie beneath the willow, Maybe then you'll think of me. He told me that he dearly loved me, And how could I believe him untrue? Until an angel softly whispered, "He has proved untrue to you." So bury me under the weeping willow, 'Neath the weeping willow tree, When I lie beneath the willow, Maybe then you'll think of me.
4.
As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good ol' way And who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way O mothers, let's go down Let's go down, come on down O mothers, let's go down Down in the river to pray As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good ol' way And who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way O fathers, let's go down Let's go down, come on down O fathers, let's go down Down in the river to pray As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good ol' way And who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way O sisters, let's go down Let's go down, come on down O sisters, let's go down Down in the river to pray As I went down in the river to pray Studying about that good ol' way And who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way O brothers, let's go down Come on down, don't you wanna go down? O brothers, let's go down Down in the river to pray
5.
There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain, O, but then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again. Chorus There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul. If you cannot sing like angels, If you can’t preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, And say He died for all. Chorus There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul.
6.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain: Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain
7.
Let Me Fly 01:21
Way down yonder in the middle of the field Angel workin' at the chariot wheel Not so partic'lar 'about workin' at de wheel Just want to see how the chariot feel Refrain: Now let me fly (x3) Into Mount Zion, Lord, Lord I got a mama in the promised land Ain't gonna stop till I shake her hand Not so particular about shaken her hand But I just wanna see that promised land Refrain Now let me fly  (x3) Into Mount Zion, Lord, Lord Meet that hypocrite on the street First thing he does is to show his teeth Next thing he does is to tell a lie The best thing to do is to pass him by Refrain Now let me fly (x3) Into Mount Zion, Lord, Lord
8.
I was standing by my window On a cold and cloudy day When I saw the hearse come rollin' For to take my mother away. Chorus: May the circle be unbroken By and by lord, by and by, There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky lord, in the sky. I told the undertaker: "Undertaker, please drive slow, For that body that you're holdin' Lord, I hate to see her go" Chorus: May the circle be unbroken By and by, oh, by and by, There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky, oh, in the sky. Well I followed close behind her, Tried to hold up and be brave, But I could not hide my sorrow When they laid her in the grave Chorus: May the circle be unbroken By and by lord, by and by, There's a better home a-waitin' In the sky lord, in the sky.
9.
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Jordan's river is chilly and cold, Hallelujah Chills the body but not the soul, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah
10.
For lo, the winter is past the rain is over and done. The flowers appear on the earth and the time of the singing of birds is come and the voice of the turtle is heard.
11.
Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone. They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on. And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song. Oh I hope you run into them, you who've been traveling so long. Yes, you who must leave everything that you cannot control. It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul. Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned: When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned. Well, they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them. They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem. If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear down and condemn, they will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem. When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon. Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon. And it won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night: We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right, We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right.
12.
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho x3 Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came a-tumblin' down You can talk about the men of Gideon You can brag about the men of Saul But there's nothin like good ole Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (that mornin) Chorus Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho x3 Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho and the walls came a-tumblin' down Good mornin, Sister Mary Good mornin, Brother John Well, I want to stop and talk with you, want to tell you how it came along Chorus Go down, Moses way down in Egypt's land, Tell ole Pharaoh to let my people go. When Israel was in Egypt's land, Let my people go Oppressed so hard they could not stand, Let my people go Go down Moses, way down in Egypt's land, tell ole Pharaoh to let my people go. Up to the walls of Jericho he marched with spear in hand Go blow them ram-horns, Joshua cried cuz the battle is my hands (that mornin) Chorus Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho x3 Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho and the walls came a-tumblin' down
13.
Bill Bailey 02:16
Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey? Won’t you come home? I cried the whole night long I’ll do the cookin’, honey, I’ll pay the rent I know I done you wrong 'Member that rainy evenin’ I throw you out, with nothin’ but a fine tooth comb Well, I know I’m to blame, now... ain’t it that a shame Bill Bailey, won’t you please come home? Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey? Won’t you come home? I’ve cried the whole night long I’ll do all the cookin’ honey, I’ll pay the rent I know I done you wrong Remember that rainy evenin’ I throwed you out, with nothin but a fine tooth comb? I know I’m to blame, now... ain’t it a shame Bill Bailey, won’t you please come- Bill bailey, won’t you please come home?
14.
May nothing evil cross this door, And may ill-fortune never pry About these windows may the roar And rain go by. By faith made strong, the rafters will Withstand the battering of the storm. This hearth, though all the world grow chill, Will keep you warm. Peace shall walk softly through these rooms, Touching our lips with holy wine, Till every casual corner blooms Into a shrine. With laughter drown the raucous shout And, though these sheltering walls are thin, May they be strong to keep hate out And hold love in.
15.
I saw Jesus on the cross on a hill called Calvary “Do you hate mankind for what they done to you?” He said, “Talk of love not hate, things to do – it’s getting late. I’ve so little time and I’m only passing through.” Passing through, passing through. Sometimes happy, sometimes blue, glad that I ran into you. Tell the people that you saw me passing through. I saw Adam leave the Garden with an apple in his hand, I said “Now you’re out, what are you going to do?” “Plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little cane. I’m an orphan now, and I’m only passing through.” Passing through, passing through. Sometimes happy, sometimes blue, glad that I ran into you. Tell the people that you saw me passing through. I was with Washington at Valley Forge, shivering in the snow. I said, “How come men suffer like they do?” “Men will suffer, men will fight, even die for what is right even though they know they’re only passing through” Passing through, passing through. Sometimes happy, sometimes blue, glad that I ran into you. Tell the people that you saw me passing through. I was with Franklin Roosevelt’s side on the night before he died. He said, “One world must come out of World War Two” (ah, the fool) “Yankee, Russian, white or tan,” he said, “A man is still a man. We’re all on one road, and we’re only passing through.” Passing through, passing through. Sometimes happy, sometimes blue, glad that I ran into you. Tell the people that you saw me passing through.
16.
Broken windows and empty hallways A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with gray Human kindness is overflowing And I think it's going to rain today Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles With frozen smiles to chase love away Human kindness is overflowing And I think it's going to rain today Lonely, lonely Tin can at my feet Think I'll kick it down the street That's the way to treat a friend Bright before me the signs implore me To help the needy and show them the way Human kindness is overflowing And I think it's going to rain today
17.
Velvet I can wish you for the collar of your coat and fortune smiling all along your way but more I cannot wish you than to wish you find your love your own true love this day Mansions I can wish you seven footmen all in red and calling cards upon a silver tray but more I cannot wish you than to wish you find your love your own true love this day Standing there gazing at you full of the bloom of youth standing there gazing at you with a sheeps' eye and a lickerish tooth Music I can wish you merry music while you're young and wisdom when your hair has turned to gray but more I cannot wish you than to wish you find your love your own true love this day With a sheeps' eye and a lickerish tooth and the strong arms to carry you away
18.
We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone before, And we'll all be reunited, On a new and sunlit shore, Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in And when the sun refuse to shine And when the sun refuse to shine I want to be in that number When the sun refuse to shine And when the moon turns red with blood And when the moon turns red with blood I want to be in that number When the moon turns red with blood Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call I want to be in that number When the trumpet sounds its call Some say this world of trouble, Is the only one we need, But I'm waiting for that morning, When the new world is revealed. Oh When the new world is revealed Oh When the new world is revealed I want to be in that number When the new world is revealed Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in
19.
Tho' all things perish from under the sky, Music and joy shall live, music and joy shall live, music and joy shall live, never to die. Repeat

about

"After a prolonged absence, Jennifer Leonhardt has returned with a truly moving album." Adobe&Teardrops

Recorded with a live band in mostly one takes in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles as a live, Irish wake-style tribute to the life of Patti Jeanne Mason Harris Gilmartin (December 21, 1945 - December 28, 2012). All errors are included as part of the living quality of the sessions.

credits

released May 15, 2013

Produced by Jennifer Leonhardt
Engineered at Breakfast Studios in Highland Park by Dave Bow and Max Dameron
Mixed by Aaron Gilmartin
All songs are traditional compositions and are public domain, except for "Sisters of Mercy" by Leonard Cohen
Jennifer Leonhardt: vocals, acoustic guitar
Juliet Tondowski: vocals
Aaron Gilmartin: vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, banjo, ukelele
Dave Bow: vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, cowbell
Max Dameron: percussion
Album photos taken by Judy Gilmartin Packer taken in Washington DC in 1966 and by Georgie Altenbach in Denton TX 1964.

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Jennifer Leonhardt Los Angeles, California

A serious girl from Ft Worth contemplates the Uni-verse

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