Lyr Add: The Shores of Jordan (Iris DeMent)

28 Jun 00 - 10:10 PM (#248883)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHORES OF JORDAN (Iris DeMent)
From: wysiwyg

This item came to me on a tape of a tape from a friend of a friend and I recalled Joe Offer asking for bluegrass hymns.

More info on the artist or author would be appreciated. I will post chords when I have them done unless someone beats me to it. It's a snappy little thing, and very bluegrassy.


THE SHORES OF JORDAN
(Iris Dement)

Well I looked up into heaven; I thought I'd solve Life's mysteries;
I observed the constellations for a clue to my destiny.
The Rhyme of Life confounds me-- things will be as things will be--
So I just dance the shores of Jordan till the angels carry me.

CHORUS: I'm gonna let my feet go dancin' to my very favorite songs,
'Cause I know my time for leaving is bound to come before too long.
And there ain't no way of me knowin' how tomorrow's gonna be--
So I just dance the shores of Jordan, till the angels carry me.

And I traveled to a prison, I saw my share of shattered dreams,
Were the tables slightly tilted? I could be bound; they could be free.
But I believe no tear goes wasted, and so I fell there on my knees,
Vowed I'd dance the shores of Jordan till the angels carry me. CHORUS

And I saw a weary traveler heading down a dusty road,
And I said, "Friend, please may I help you? It seems you haul a heavy load."
He said, "Though my burden's heavy, in my heart I'm travelin' light,
So I can cross the River Jordan when I'm called to the other side." CHORUS

I just dance the shores of Jordan, till the angels carry me.
I know they'll carry me....

---

28 Jun 00 - 11:05 PM (#248917)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dance the Shores of Jordan
From: Margaret V

Praise, the song is written by Iris DeMent, one of my favorite singers (and songwriters)! In fact I suggested "Shores of Jordan" recently in the "Funeral Tunes, Songs That Heal" thread. It's on her second album, "My Life," released in 1994. She's got two other albums: "Infamous Angel" (1992) and "The Way I Should" (1996), and she's done a lot of work with other musicians as well. Much (though not all) of her work has that old-time quality to it that you can hear on "Shores of Jordan." She's incredibly expressive and to tell the truth it's impossible for me to get through one of her concerts without the impact of her beautiful voice making me cry. I suspect you'd like her very much, based (flimsily, I know) on your posts. . . Anyway you might like to visit her website which is www.irisdement.com. Margaret

---

28 Jun 00 - 11:09 PM (#248920)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dance the Shores of Jordan
From: wysiwyg

Ahhhhhhhhh...... thank you, Margaret. Perfect end to a perplexing day. I will go there now and then sign off and head home!

~S~

---

22 Nov 08 - 09:45 AM (#2499985)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Dance the Shores of Jordan
From: Genie

Love this song.

Here's Merle Haggard singing Iris's "Dance The Shores Of Jordan"

Glad to find the lyrics are here.

Genie

---