Before you listen to this very simple and beautiful song please just read the story as to how it came about from Gavin Bryars:
In 1971, when I lived in London, I was working with a friend, Alan Power, on a film about people living rough in the area around Elephant and Castle and Waterloo Station. In the course of being filmed, some people broke into drunken song – sometimes bits of opera, sometimes sentimental ballads – and one, who in fact did not drink, sang a religious song “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet”. This was not ultimately used in the film and I was given all the unused sections of tape, including this one.
When I played it at home, I found that his singing was in tune with my piano, and I improvised a simple accompaniment. I noticed, too, that the first section of the song – 13 bars in length – formed an effective loop which repeated in a slightly unpredictable way. I took the tape loop to Leicester, where I was working in the Fine Art Department, and copied the loop onto a continuous reel of tape, thinking about perhaps adding an orchestrated accompaniment to this. The door of the recording room opened on to one of the large painting studios and I left the tape copying, with the door open, while I went to have a cup of coffee. When I came back I found the normally lively room unnaturally subdued. People were moving about much more slowly than usual and a few were sitting alone, quietly weeping.
I was puzzled until I realised that the tape was still playing and that they had been overcome by the old man’s singing. This convinced me of the emotional power of the music and of the possibilities offered by adding a simple, though gradually evolving, orchestral accompaniment that respected the tramp’s nobility and simple faith. Although he died before he could hear what I had done with his singing, the piece remains as an eloquent, but understated testimony to his spirit and optimism
I find it beautiful but I know others have heard it and yawned. I’ll let you decide.
December 17, 2010 at 8:13 pm
When I saw the post, I thought of looking for a clip of that miracle where a container with a precious blood liquifies every year. Then I listened to the video and just cried. I don't know why; the picture sucks. Perhaps it was the simple faith of the old man which led to a feeling of joy – the joy of knowing that the Lord is real and is near despite all the evil in the world. Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God.
December 17, 2010 at 8:18 pm
agreed. the pic is awful but the piece is mesmerizing.
December 17, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I love this! I think the picture is the visual equivalent of the loop: repetitive yet growing (zooming out) and a good representation of what the 'tramp's' living conditions might have been. Yet living in those conditions, likely for years, in what many would call rock bottom, he could still sing joyfully that Jesus' Blood Never Failed (him).
December 17, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Amen
December 17, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Beautiful!
December 17, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Amen for me and my family and all of us.
December 18, 2010 at 6:21 pm
This is haunting, beautiful & absolutely true. Thx for posting!
December 18, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Would you like to see more videos of people without a roof over their head?
Go to: http://invisiblepeople.tv