My story of this song is that someone took me to see Mark in a northwest concert where he opened for Randy Stonehill. I too listened to this hauntingly beautiful song over and over at age 17. There was nothing else like it on the radio or anywhere else I heard music at the time. In college and young adult years, Mark touched me, convicted me, spoke to me and pointed me to God in so many more songs, but it was this one that opened the door and got me to take notice of his massive talent.
Great story, MaestroBud! I was a freshman at a small liberal arts college near Boston when Mark Heard came and did a modest acoustic concert for us. The song settled on me beautifully, as well. Tonight, over 20 years later, I too thought to search for it on youtube. Mark Heard died of an illness years ago...in the 90s, I think. Makes it all the more poignant for me.
I heard this song while underway on a Navy submarine. It played on the "closed circuit" system, like those found today on commercial jetliners. Of course, they included no programs or names, so when we returned, I went to the local "record store" and started looking through all of the Fogelberg and similar artists' works available. FF 20 years. I typed in the line I remembered: "... instruments of gold and red and brow" and viola -- picked the LP up on ebay! My all time favorite of this genre.
Many years ago, during a long trip, I heard this quirky, melodic song on an obscure AM radio station that played the kind of music you never hear anywhere else.
This was one of the selections, but I didn't catch the name of the singer or the song, and the station's signal wasn't strong enough to hear all the words. What I hung onto was the line "these things are music to my eyes."
After many futile searches, I've finally found the song -- and it's even more beautiful than I remembered.
Wow - I saw Mark perform a number of times in the late 70s / early 80s. I think I wore out the grooves on this song. This brings back so many memories. I still miss him. Thanks for posting.
Mark once said that the world has taken the joy that God has created and attempted to bury deep within the earth, and the job of us as Christians is to dig into that hole to uncover for the world what God meant it to be. Mark did that with his music.
this is perfect, my man~! i can't wait to sing this with you. of all the songs we call "our songs" this is definitely one that hits my tender spot... ... i love you.
My story of this song is that someone took me to see Mark in a northwest concert where he opened for Randy Stonehill. I too listened to this hauntingly beautiful song over and over at age 17. There was nothing else like it on the radio or anywhere else I heard music at the time. In college and young adult years, Mark touched me, convicted me, spoke to me and pointed me to God in so many more songs, but it was this one that opened the door and got me to take notice of his massive talent.
MrKerrylane 3 months ago
Great story, MaestroBud! I was a freshman at a small liberal arts college near Boston when Mark Heard came and did a modest acoustic concert for us. The song settled on me beautifully, as well. Tonight, over 20 years later, I too thought to search for it on youtube. Mark Heard died of an illness years ago...in the 90s, I think. Makes it all the more poignant for me.
thwolf9 7 months ago
I heard this song while underway on a Navy submarine. It played on the "closed circuit" system, like those found today on commercial jetliners. Of course, they included no programs or names, so when we returned, I went to the local "record store" and started looking through all of the Fogelberg and similar artists' works available. FF 20 years. I typed in the line I remembered: "... instruments of gold and red and brow" and viola -- picked the LP up on ebay! My all time favorite of this genre.
MaestroBud 7 months ago
I met Mark in 1978 when I was 18. He gave me the best compliment I've ever had.
Two years later I was listening to this as I drove from California to Charlotte, NC, chasing after a dream with blond hair.
I came home a year later whimpering a 'Zep tune.
I'm older, a little wiser and as I look back I see I've always given up just a little too soon.
Hearing these beautiful older songs has inspired me to break out my old Christian LPs that never made it to CD & find a way to share them here.
Delivered0ne 8 months ago
@Delivered0ne Nice to hear the opening story, just curious how you met Mark and what was the compliment, if you wouldn't mind sharing. Thanks.
MrKerrylane 3 months ago
Many years ago, during a long trip, I heard this quirky, melodic song on an obscure AM radio station that played the kind of music you never hear anywhere else.
This was one of the selections, but I didn't catch the name of the singer or the song, and the station's signal wasn't strong enough to hear all the words. What I hung onto was the line "these things are music to my eyes."
After many futile searches, I've finally found the song -- and it's even more beautiful than I remembered.
FurtherReview 11 months ago
Wow - I saw Mark perform a number of times in the late 70s / early 80s. I think I wore out the grooves on this song. This brings back so many memories. I still miss him. Thanks for posting.
mrcanoehead 1 year ago
Thanks so much & God bless you for posting this. Have not heard this in a very long time, just as lovely as I remember it being.
petsounz47 1 year ago
One of my favorite Mark Heard songs. Listening it a great deal now that it's October!
BruceFields72 1 year ago
Mark once said that the world has taken the joy that God has created and attempted to bury deep within the earth, and the job of us as Christians is to dig into that hole to uncover for the world what God meant it to be. Mark did that with his music.
MrKerrylane 1 year ago
this is perfect, my man~! i can't wait to sing this with you. of all the songs we call "our songs" this is definitely one that hits my tender spot... ... i love you.
lizannski 1 year ago