Also thanks to production by the multi-talented and under-appreciated Roy Wood (The Move, The Electric Light Orchestra, etc) and Louis Clark for flute, brass, and choir arrangement. (Louis Clark also provide the choir and orchestra arrangements and conducting on E.L.O.'s classic albums). I just heard Annie Haslam singing "Going Home" for the first time last night on a used vinyl of "Annie in Wonderland" and I can't stop listening to it! Simply beautiful!
I want to go home, to go back - to the time when life was secure (or so it seemed to a child), and the only worries I had were whether the corner-shop had sold out of sherbet dabs. No worries about paying the mortgage, bringing up my children, struggling with a mountain of debt. Looks like there's only one way I'm going to get there................
@peterlinie3 - You are not alone in this, peter. Many are struggling with debt and unemployment in this economy. That is why this song touches people, because they feel they have lost their innocence, their youth, their simplicity. If it is an old negro spiritual, as MrChrispy has stated, that's easy to understand. It comes from a place of deep pain and longing.
I always knew it to be an old negro spiritual. Annie sang the song, but did not contribute the lyrics to the Dvorak music. I kept playing Renaissance in the house, just after getting married. My wife was a Gloria Estefan fan, and pooh-poohed Annie's singing, at first. She soon became amazed at how clear and beautiful her singing was, and with such power! She was converted.
@MrChrispy777 lol, is it always that way? Had similar experiences (though not married!). Always wondered why is it so hard to initiate people into her singing, in spite of her voice.
BEAUTIFUL LOVE ANNIE'S VOICE. SAW THE BAND IN A SMALL CLUB ON LONG ISLAND MET THE BASS PLAYER AT THE BAR AND THEY SANG NORTHERN LIGHTS AS MY REQUEST MET THE BAND.THEY WERE GOOD PEOPLE A SHAME THEY NEVER GOT BIGGER THAN THEY DID
There was a poignancy to the Jan Clayton version sung toward the end of "The Snake Pit," 1948. On YouTube. Maybe it was the choral of inmates singing with her that made it so beautiful. But I have to admit, Annie Haslam has done this song justice. Brilliant, sad and encouraging. It has a way of bringing some hope to you. Ms. Clayton & Annie definitely understood every word. (For nostalgia buffs & baby boomers -- Ms. Clayton was the original mother in the Lassie TV series).
Thanks for the head up, had never heard that version before. I will tell you what I miss in that version that Annie captures so powerfully. It's the profound suffering of those about to pass away. The pain overcomes them so utterly that they are forced to embrace death and console themselves as it being a positive outcome. The lyrics standalone read hopefully and exude some optimism but that is not - at least to my ears - Annie's interpretation.
@tippytee - lucky you! I last saw her in concert in the 80s w/ Renaissance. She was the only vocalist who could "sing right through you." Saw her recent video on YT singing a selection from Scheherezade (Prince and Princess), and it seems like she hasn't lost much of her voice since then. A rare talent she is.
@CrimsonKing - yes, the song is an interpretation of Dvorak's "New World Symphony," a classical masterpiece. Don't know who wrote the lyrics.
Thank you druidia9. great pics and of course, the most beautiful female voice of Miss Annie Haslam. I will see her in concert this Sat. nite and will speak with her afterwards. One of her best songs I think. I never miss an opportunity to play this one. very touching. Thank you Annie.........Noble
Noble is indeed the word. It was on this album that I first heard this song and later learnt that it's a traditional song. Wow, her interpretation is just so much more heartfelt and touching. One of her best, indeed, completely agree.
Thanks reversengr for your useful info!
druidia9 1 month ago
Also thanks to production by the multi-talented and under-appreciated Roy Wood (The Move, The Electric Light Orchestra, etc) and Louis Clark for flute, brass, and choir arrangement. (Louis Clark also provide the choir and orchestra arrangements and conducting on E.L.O.'s classic albums). I just heard Annie Haslam singing "Going Home" for the first time last night on a used vinyl of "Annie in Wonderland" and I can't stop listening to it! Simply beautiful!
reversengr 1 month ago
such a voice. Thank you for posting
marjimdt 1 month ago
These lyrics were written and set to Dvorak's music by William Arms Fisher.
michaelj2be 2 months ago
@michaelj2be "...which became a well-known Negro spiritual." Excellent, thanks for that info!
druidia9 2 months ago
I want to go home, to go back - to the time when life was secure (or so it seemed to a child), and the only worries I had were whether the corner-shop had sold out of sherbet dabs. No worries about paying the mortgage, bringing up my children, struggling with a mountain of debt. Looks like there's only one way I'm going to get there................
peterlinie3 3 months ago
@peterlinie3 - You are not alone in this, peter. Many are struggling with debt and unemployment in this economy. That is why this song touches people, because they feel they have lost their innocence, their youth, their simplicity. If it is an old negro spiritual, as MrChrispy has stated, that's easy to understand. It comes from a place of deep pain and longing.
druidia9 3 months ago
@peterlinie3 I hear your heart... I feel the same. It's a strange and scary time now. The world needs a Savior.
mimiluvfromsf 3 weeks ago
I always knew it to be an old negro spiritual. Annie sang the song, but did not contribute the lyrics to the Dvorak music. I kept playing Renaissance in the house, just after getting married. My wife was a Gloria Estefan fan, and pooh-poohed Annie's singing, at first. She soon became amazed at how clear and beautiful her singing was, and with such power! She was converted.
MrChrispy777 5 months ago
@MrChrispy777 lol, is it always that way? Had similar experiences (though not married!). Always wondered why is it so hard to initiate people into her singing, in spite of her voice.
CrimsonKing589051 4 months ago
I saw the film featuring this song, on TV some years ago. But couldn't remember the name.
I have just come across it - and all other variations, on You Tube.
Annie Haslam has certainly done this song justice.
She is a wonderful singer.
Thank you
DeltadawnEmm 5 months ago
BJ - sorry to hear about your mum. I too wish it played at my funeral. You're welcome; it was my pleasure.
druidia9 6 months ago
wow...wonderful song...great lyrics...if i had known this song before i would have played it on my Mums funeral...thanks for sharing ;-)
BananaJoe414 6 months ago
I have to believe that Antonin Dvorak would have approved.
hermitcrabbot 6 months ago
BEAUTIFUL LOVE ANNIE'S VOICE. SAW THE BAND IN A SMALL CLUB ON LONG ISLAND MET THE BASS PLAYER AT THE BAR AND THEY SANG NORTHERN LIGHTS AS MY REQUEST MET THE BAND.THEY WERE GOOD PEOPLE A SHAME THEY NEVER GOT BIGGER THAN THEY DID
Rus818 8 months ago
It's such a beautiful song! Thanks for posting it ;)
regenbogen196 9 months ago
@regenbogen196 - Many thanks!
druidia9 9 months ago
lastrada - interesting, I didn't know about Jan Clayton's version. I will check it out!
Thanks.
druidia9 1 year ago
There was a poignancy to the Jan Clayton version sung toward the end of "The Snake Pit," 1948. On YouTube. Maybe it was the choral of inmates singing with her that made it so beautiful. But I have to admit, Annie Haslam has done this song justice. Brilliant, sad and encouraging. It has a way of bringing some hope to you. Ms. Clayton & Annie definitely understood every word. (For nostalgia buffs & baby boomers -- Ms. Clayton was the original mother in the Lassie TV series).
lastrada52 1 year ago
@lastrada52
Thanks for the head up, had never heard that version before. I will tell you what I miss in that version that Annie captures so powerfully. It's the profound suffering of those about to pass away. The pain overcomes them so utterly that they are forced to embrace death and console themselves as it being a positive outcome. The lyrics standalone read hopefully and exude some optimism but that is not - at least to my ears - Annie's interpretation.
CrimsonKing589051 1 year ago
@Aileesan - Believe I found it on iTunes.
@tippytee - lucky you! I last saw her in concert in the 80s w/ Renaissance. She was the only vocalist who could "sing right through you." Saw her recent video on YT singing a selection from Scheherezade (Prince and Princess), and it seems like she hasn't lost much of her voice since then. A rare talent she is.
@CrimsonKing - yes, the song is an interpretation of Dvorak's "New World Symphony," a classical masterpiece. Don't know who wrote the lyrics.
druidia9 1 year ago
please message me if you know where i can get this song :/ it's surprisingly hard to find... anywhere...
Aileesan 1 year ago
Thank you druidia9. great pics and of course, the most beautiful female voice of Miss Annie Haslam. I will see her in concert this Sat. nite and will speak with her afterwards. One of her best songs I think. I never miss an opportunity to play this one. very touching. Thank you Annie.........Noble
tippytee909 1 year ago
@tippytee909
Noble is indeed the word. It was on this album that I first heard this song and later learnt that it's a traditional song. Wow, her interpretation is just so much more heartfelt and touching. One of her best, indeed, completely agree.
CrimsonKing589051 1 year ago