Ricky Fitzpatrick: Music
When You Come Up
As I've mentioned to a lot of folks in regards to this song, when my mother passed away several years ago, it was tough. Obviously. I never really felt like I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, without writing a song about it. That’s just my “thing”, my way of closing the book on something.
Anyway, I couldn’t write a song for mama. It just wouldn’t come. I was stuck and dry and frustrated. And it seemed like the harder I pushed, the more elusive a song became.
About the middle of February (2010) though, it happened. As if to reiterate who’s boss, the song, it’s melody, lyrics, the whole thing just opened up. Just like that *snap*.
So I started working the finer points out and getting ready to record it. It was still tough though. Even though the song was complete, I just wasn’t syncing very well with it. “What is up?”
Finally, I started recording. Again, more issues. My guitar wouldn’t cooperate. The timing was off. I actually recorded another “first” version, got all the instrumentation recorded and mixed and when I went to lay the vocals down, the key and tempo were just a hair off. But enough off to make it feel…artificial.
So back to square one. Re-record and do it all over again. And guess what…
It started gelling. I found the groove and the new recording was going smooth as could be. It felt good and came together quickly and I felt a long-needed sense of relief when I finally finished it.
By the way, in case you haven’t noticed yet, the song is 6 ½ minutes long. The longest piece I’ve ever recorded, but funny, it doesn’t feel all that long. Which tells me that it’s right, as it is. It tells the story that it needs to tell, in the way it should be told. If it was too long, your brain would let you know.
The song itself is very autobiographical. 99% anyway. For the most part, this is the story of my mama and me. We really did walk down to the front of the church, hand in hand. I was nine. She was crying. And we were baptized together that day. Did the “meet and greet” in the fellowship hall, shook hands, the whole bit.
We weren’t actually baptized in a river…it was an indoor baptismal pool. But it would be hard for that pool to be “deep and wide”. :)
This day described in the first part of the song is one of the most vividly memorable days of my life. I’ll never forget it. My mother was not only a mom, but we were the greatest of friends, and I feel blessed to share our story with the world, now. Plus, it finally feels like I'm cool with letting her go now.
I hope you enjoy the song. And I hope it speaks to you, in whatever way God intends. I can say that it’s been a gift to me, to finally be able to write and record it. I hope it might be a gift to you, also.
When You Come Up
Words & Music by Ricky Fitzpatrick
Copyright 2010 Ricky Fitzpatrick and RFM Music Group
Verse One
Mama said “Son, I’ll go first”,
With tears rolling down her face.
The congregation sang a verse
Of “Amazing Grace”.
We walked down there hand in hand,
Mother and son and the preacher man.
We laid roots in the promised land
That day.
Bridge One
I can still remember, mama shivering there by the side
Of that old muddy river.
It was deep. It was wide.
Chorus
(She said) “The Lord above’s gonna save your soul,
Wash you clean, boy, and make you whole.
We all need His tender, gentle touch.
Now, it don’t feel that different when you’re going down,
Ooo but everything changes, when you come up.”
Verse Two
Later that Sunday afternoon,
Me and mama standing tall,
Gathered in to greet to Saints
In the fellowship hall.
They filed in there, all in a line
Bringing fried chicken and apple pie.
Daddy smiled and mama cried,
As I recall.
Bridge Two
I can still remember, Preacher Mitton smiling at me.
He just shook my hand,
Said “Welcome to the family.”
Chorus
(I said) “The Lord above’s done saved my soul,
Washed me clean, y’all, and made me whole.
We all need His tender, gentle touch.
Now, it don’t feel that different when you’re going down,
Ooo but everything changes, when you come up.”
Break
Verse Three
Mama said “Son, I’ll go first”,
With tears rolling down my face.
The congregation sang a verse
Of “Amazing Grace”.
We walked down there hand in hand,
Daddy and me and the preacher man.
Mama crossed o’er to the promised land
That day.
Bridge Three
I can still remember, standing by her side,
And I heard mama sayin’
“Son, now don’t you cry…”
Chorus
(She said) “The Lord above’s done saved my soul,
Washed me clean, boy, and made me whole.
We all need His tender, gentle touch.
Now, it don’t feel that different when you’re going down,
Ooo but everything changes, when you come up.”