Such a powerful story line to the song. Iris like a shiny star, sings and plays the piano from the heart. Love the choice of instruments for the video Such a unique sound blending the 5 string banjo, accordion, string bass, piano, fiddle, dobro, and of course the tastefully placed harmonies that give the song more impact. I like to think of the song as a little masterpiece. The home setting is so effective..
Thank You Mnemonyxx. My Mom, a Burdine Kentucky girl, is nearly 92 years young. She is a former Salvationist. Even with her failing hearing, still thoroughly enjoys listening to Gospel, as do I. Thank You for posting this uplifting song of steadfast faith. Also, Bless You for having the moral fortitude not to soil this video with an advertisement! Be Well, and Stay Strong, Will
Iris's voice is pretty much unique. Soulful, melodic and she always conveys a simple honesty to her music. Her lyrics are always about truths of life. I enjoy listening to her so much!
I never stop wondering how touched I always am by hearing Iris DeMent sing.... So basic and so beutiful. And then Joan Osborne on the same time. How much more could anybody ask for.......
I found this song totally by accident and I Can't stop replaying it,...It sure has a powerful message and the music is awesome...bluegrass/country....wow...it is just tooooo awewome. WeLove this so much want the CD. thanks for making my day. Btw, we want learn this song too....and share it with others. :)
Iris has a piercing, simple, beauty in her music. Notice the smiles of others when she starts to play the piano. It's not elaborate but it cuts right through it all. Jerry, who can play just about anything keeps it so simple and in tune with Iris' simple presentation and it's a wonderful complement. They all tune in to what she's offering. Magnificent simplicity!
Beautiful, reminds me of the jams my Dad and his friends used to have years ago. Pure music, basic, awesome instrumental accompaniment...and Iris is stunning. I love music that has roots. These remind me of the mountain home of my youth. A friend suggested I listen...what a good friend!
I found this song totally by accident and I Can't stop replaying it,...It sure has a powerful message and the music is awesome...bluegrass/country....wow...it is just tooooo awesome. We Love this so much want the CD. thanks for making my day. Btw, we want learn this song too....and share it with others. :)
Bet your life anything with Ali Bain and Phil Cunningham is going to be good. transatlantic sessions....fantastic. Iris Dement, Allison Kraus, John Martyn Paul Brady and a host of great musicians
I'd never heard of Iris before this Transatlantic session, but I'm sold. I may seem odd to compare her to Bach, but like him she cuts away all the dross and gets to the very heart of both music and message. (I'm an atheist btw - but I still feel the power of this performance - she is stunning!)
A certain man one day did go Down to Jericho Falling among thieves along the way Well, they stripped him then they fled Leaving him for dead Lying on the side of the road And then the priest came passing by But he crossed over to the other side Then the Levite came and he did just the same When the Samaritan heard his cry He just could not pass on by He dressed his wounds and he carried him to the nearest inn He reached down, he reached down Got right there on the ground He reached down, he reached down And he touched the pain He paid the 'keeper the amount that was due If you need more, he said, I'm good for that too He reached down, he reached down And he touched the pain. Then the Scribes and the Pharisees Brought the adulteress in for Jesus to see Lord, she's sinned and the law says she must be stoned If there's one of you that's without sin He said, you can cast the first stone in One by one they left leaving Jesus and that woman alone He reached down, he reached down Got right there on the ground He reached down, he reached down And he touched the pain No accusers are left that I see Woman, neither do I condemn thee He reached down, he reached down And he touched the pain In the book a little story got told About the traveller at the end of life's road He's at the gates of the kingdom and the master says "Come on in" For I was hungry and you gave me meat I was cold and you put shoes on my feet When I was in prison there was you who came to see about me You reached down, you reached down Got right there on the ground You reached down, you reached down And you touched my pain When you did it to the least of these He said, you were doing it unto me You reached down, you reached down And you touched my pain He reached down, he reached down And he touched the pain He said "Reach down, oh, reach down And touch the pain".
That look in her eye is just the Inbred Arkansas Hillbilly in her.....:) But yeah....there is a quality in her voice that gives instant credibility to any song she sings. She is one of a kind and I enjoy tuning into her once in awhile.
every one of the artists here operate on a higher plane... the mutual admiration is sincere and deserving and i don't know why you would post this lovely song only to throw in a bummer comment. do you like the music or not? i do and i thank you for posting it..... iris, what a beauty....
@vraimentmaladroite Hi; yes, where would we be if not for the arts and their reflection of our culture. this tune is no exception. may you find him in all creation
My quibble about the mutual admiration society chatter was also operating on a higher plane. Don't you ever get bored of rote laudation? Apologies if it came across wrong. I'll remove it forthwith. Here's confirming that I like the music.
@mnemonyxx Thank you for reminding me to just 'google it'; i forget that sometimes. So i have the lyrics and if there's a discrepancy i can't live with then i'll take you up on that PM offer. May you be filled with the life giving love of God.
@KingdomUploader - lyrics are online, however a couple of them are a little off as well. One line that is hard to understand is 'in the book a little story got told.'
It's a fair cop, Detective Constable 8121. I'll come quietly. I didn't realise the preposition police were monitoring even RU-vid comments for conformance. Just be warned that if my case comes to court I'll be bringing lots of expert linguists of the descriptive rather than prescriptive persuasion to the stand.
@KingdomUploader T The original uploader seems to have not responded for a couple years. Iris reminds of me of my grandmother in her voice and beliefs here. I'm an atheist, but good music is good music...maybe it could lead a person to God, if that person chose. I've studied each religion through its folk music and found deep love present in the best of those beliefs. But it is the hate that turns us all away. And the hate is the symptom of seeking power.
The tune is wonderful. Many of the words i could not understand; is there a chance someone here might post the lyrics? for me, i can just flow with the spirit of it, but my Mom needs to hear all the words. Humble appreciation to anyone who might accomodate and i of course will pay it forward in some way. Blessings
Sir, Have you tried typing "iris dement he reached down lyrics" into Google? Easy to locate what you seek this way. (Though unfortunately all net copies seem to originate from a transcriber who got one or two words wrong, and who certainly cannot spell Pharisees.) Happy to correct the minor errors and send by RU-vid PM if requested.
