This was written on an Amtrak train going from Indianapolis to Chicago after spending time with my Grandmother. She was born in a cabin in Homebrew Holler, Hazard, Perry County, Kentucky. Her family founded Hazard and she was equally has strict as she was loving, and I adored her. I was lucky enough to live with her and my Grandpa until I was 5 years old, and her commitment to family and community was a value that was gifted to me and all her descendants. She had dreams of one day owning her own seamstress store, but had to let those go to raise her family.
She was a woman who held many roles, all while being the cornerstone of goodness and order for her very large family. There were eleven children in all, and more grandchildren than you could imagine. It is her work-ethic and love for education and learning that fuels me to this day. I am forever grateful to be her granddaughter.
lyrics
Take Me to Bluegrass
I’m a sister, a mother, a friend and a wife
I love what is simple, what makes me feel right
I am strong-willed and grounded, my heart knows no boundaries
I feel closer, to memory, with each passing day
So take me Bluegrass, where I should lay
There near my mother, to spend all my days
Take to bluegrass, where I found my life
A mother, a sister, a friend, and a wife
In my dreams I see myself there, sweet magnolia all in the air
The song from a church choir is echoing near
Cumberland calling me back through the years
I’ve given my children, all that I own
My heart and my faith, they should pass to their own
It came through my mother, and her mother before
The love that I give, will always endure
So take me Bluegrass, where I should lay
There near my mother, to spend all my days
Take to bluegrass, where I found my life
A mother, a sister, a friend, and a wife
In my dreams I see myself there, sweet magnolia all in the air
The song from a church choir is echoing near
Cumberland calling me back through the years
I’m a sister, a mother, a friend and a wife
I love what is simple, what makes me feel right
So take me Bluegrass, where I found my life
A mother, a sister, a friend, and a wife
credits
from Distance,
track released November 28, 2022
JC Clements - vocals
Jason Blankenship - Rhythm Guitar
Paul Kaye - Mandolin
J.C. Clements' lyrics have teeth and tell the truths of what it’s like to love someone with addiction, power through the
hours to pay the bills, and never let go of your dreams. J.C.’s powerful voice has been steeped in a life grounded in roots music, collaboration with her blues heroes in Chicago, & standing up to sing even when you get knocked down. Hard hitting songs for hard working people....more
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