Lyr Req: It's a Blessing (Fred McDowell)

Subject: Lyr Req: It's a blessing - Fred McDowell
From: GUEST,Marco
Date: 01 Mar 10 - 07:38 AM

Hello! Please could you help me to find the lyrics of "It's a blessing" recorded by Mississippi Fred Mcdowell in the sixty. I think Maria Muldaur also recorded it some years ago.

Many Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a blessing - Fred McDowell
From: GUEST,Marco
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 07:13 AM

Just a refresh!
Please, help me.

Many thanks.

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A BLESSING (Fred McDowell)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 03:36 AM

Boy, this one is a bear to transcribe. Here's my best guess:

IT'S A BLESSING
(as recorded by Mississippi Fred McDowell)

I am marching every day,
I'm leaving triumph on my way
Sure a blessing That I'm going on
Just to say, those complaining
On every side, Except me, Lord,
I'm satisfied
It's a blessing just to call
My savior's name.

I don't worry And I don't fret
Not so easy To Forget
I just pray, Count my blessings
Every day.
If misfortune break my heart,
I just take it For my part
It's a blessing just to call
My Savior's name.

It's a blessing just to live
It's a blessing just to give
It's a blessing to be present
In this land.
Matters not how bad at first
Don't forget, it could be worse,
It's a blessing just to call
My Savior's name.

Transcribed (badly) by ear from the Arhoolie CD, Mississippi Fred McDowell Sings Blues and Spirituals

Subject: ADD: It's a blessing - Maria Muldaur
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 04:03 AM

Here's the Maria Muldaur version, which is much easier to understand:

IT'S A BLESSING
(as recorded by Maria Muldaur)

I am marching every day,
I'm meeting trials on my way
Short of blessings but I'm going on
Just the same.
Folks complaining On every side,
Except me, Lord, I'm satisfied.
It's a blessing just to call
My savior's name.

I don't worry And I don't fret
Not so easy To Forget
I just pray, And count my blessings
Every day.
If misfortune break my heart,
I just take it For my part
It's a blessing just to call
My Savior's name.

It's a blessing just to live
It's a blessing just to give
It's a blessing to be present
In this land.
Matters not how bad at first
Just remember, it could be worse,
It's a blessing just to call
My Savior's name.

[instrumental break]
Folks complaining On every side,
Except me, Lord, I'm satisfied.
It's a blessing just to call
My savior's name.

Transcribed by ear from the 2001 Maria Muldaur CD, Richland Woman Blues

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a blessing - Fred McDowell
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 04:09 AM

There's a darn good chance that Muldaur's interpretation of McDowell is better than my transcription...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a Blessing (Fred McDowell)
From: Marco
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 07:33 AM

Many thanks, Joe!

I know, some songs are so hard to trascribe.
Usually I can understand more or less everything what a singer sings, but sometime is almost impossible for me (I'm italian, english is not my mother-language) mainly with the old blues singers like Fred McDowell.

As usual the people here is really GREAT!
Thanks again, Joe.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a Blessing (Fred McDowell)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 12 - 04:01 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a Blessing (Fred McDowell)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 10:05 PM

Thanks . Where can I get the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a Blessing (Fred McDowell)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 10:22 PM

Here's the recording from Mississippi Fred McDowelll and Annie McDowell on the album titled Amazing Grace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iILnuyTiV2c

And here's a terrific recording of "It's a Blessing" by Maria Muldaur and Bonnie Raitt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5_mZbYwpwM

I hadn't known that Muldaur and Raitt had recorded a number of songs together. I really like both of them, and they're great together.

-Joe-