Emmylou Harris - Boulder to Birmingham (Lyrics) [HD]

Emmylou Harris sings 'Boulder to Birmingham'. This song was first on her 1975 Reprise album 'Pieces of the Sky', her debut country album. Linda Ronstadt and Fayssoux Starling do backing vocals on the album. The lyrics are in the video and below with notes about the song.
The images of Gram Parsons in the video (standing by a car, singing with guitar, sitting in a flowered shirt) appear since the song concerns Emmylou Harris' feelings of grief for him after his early death in 1973.
[CD/Lyrics/16-Images/WAV]
Boulder to Birmingham (Singer: Emmylou Harris)
I don't wanna hear a love song
I got on this airplane just to fly
And I know there's life below me
But all that you can show me is a prairie and the sky
And I don't wanna hear a sad story
Full of heartbreak and desire
The last time I felt like this
I was in the wilderness and the canyon was on fire
And I stood on the mountain
In the night and I watched it burn
I watched it burn, I watched it burn
I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face
Well, you really got me this time
And the hardest part is knowing I'll survive
I've come to listen for the sound
Of the trucks as they move down out on ninety-five
And pretend that it's the ocean
Coming down to wash me clean, to wash me clean
Baby, do you know what I mean
I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face
If I thought I could see, I could see your face
Songwriters: Bill Danoff, Emmylou Harris
© BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management Inc.
[Lyrics from LyricFind]
Wikipedia states:
"Boulder to Birmingham" is a song written by Emmylou Harris and Bill Danoff which first appeared on Harris's 1975 album Pieces of the Sky. It has served as something of a signature tune for the artist and recounts her feelings of grief in the years following the death of country rock star and mentor Gram Parsons. Early in her career, Harris toured with Gram Parsons and sang on his 1973 album GP. The song is known for its chorus "I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham/I would hold my life in his saving grace/I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham/If I thought I could see, I could see your face." Harris did not write again about Parsons' death in such a directly way until "The Road", a track from her 2011 album Hard Bargain.
Bill Danoff recorded the song with his group, the Starland Vocal Band, on their self-titled debut album. A version of the song was a hit in New Zealand for The Hollies, reaching number ten there, and later appeared on their album A Crazy Steal. A version was recorded in 1975 by Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers on their No Regrets album. In 2012, American alternative rock band, The Fray, released a cover of the song featuring Harris as a bonus track on their record, Scars & Stories. Dolly Parton included a cover on the song on her 1976 All I Can Do album. Joan Baez cut a live version of the song and it originally appeared on her 1976 live album From Every Stage; the track later appeared in the compilation Joan Baez: The Complete A&M Recordings (released September 23, 2003).

[@anonymousanonymous2625]

The most poignant line for me is "the hardest part is knowing I'll survive". Anyone who has ever experienced profound loss knows that feeling all too well.

[@patricaquigley875]

Yes I have said this after losing 3 young sisters two to cancer, one that was lost and never coped and yes knowing I survived really says it all for me beautifull song emmylou

[@malcolmhope6196]

You are so right. I cry every time I listen to it. It is not till you lose someone that you can feel the depth of anguish in this song. Exquisite!

[@jackbobrick1893]

Audio is very good, my poignant part is that simple 4 word line she uses to describe her feeling on that mountain in the dark night,," and I stood there on that mountain,,,,an I watched it burn, I watched it burn, I watched it burn...." Emmy lou has a special quality all her own, she has sung good songs, written good songs, and shes not bad to look at,,,,,,ha

[@tomobedlam297]

O yes. You have to have been there to feel that line. 💔😥

[@bronsonhilliard6841]

There is no country song written in the fifty years since this one that is HALF as good as this. This is artistry from conception to performance.

[@taramartin1909]

when I lost my baby brother to cancer at aged 25-i fell to pieces. I played this song for several months for comfort. One night as I played this song repeatedly I curled up in bed & fell asleep in tears again, I heard my baby brother whisper-"thank you sis-I am here for you!"

[@patricaquigley875]

I love this song for the same reason as you I lot my young sister to cancer a year ago ,loved life loved music ,infectious smile, and the talent to brighten up any dull day sorry for the loss of your brothet

[@colleenwinters5807]

I just lost the love of my life and this song just says it all. Love you Emmylou forever.

[@stephaniehowell1109]

Am sharing your pain.... If it helps...They'd want us to keep going...keep living...keep laughing...when we can....❤❤❤❤

[@mariecartwright6931]

It's sad to think Emmylou had to go through such pain. We are so lucky to have this wonderfully poignant song. Thank you Emmylou for surviving.

[@rowlandharryweston6037]

I love how theres a still of Gram Parsons. That's what it's all about. God rest his soul. and God bless you, Emmy Lou.

[@maxlewis9961]

I once cried so hard to this song, I had to consume my face in a towel soon after. 😭😞 What a tremendous song especially one that relates to tragedy. R.I.P. Gram Parsons...

[@hotajax]

Her most beautiful song.

[@jonham8469]

I saw Emmylou in concert last night in Durham, NC, and was disappointed when the show ended and she hadn't done "Boulder to Birmingham," my favorite Emmylou song. But when they came out for their encore, they did the song, and my evening was made. Great show.

[@shaunelijah2232]

In the Bosom of AaaaaBRAHAM !! I'm 74 and have probably heard every GOOD rock, country, soul and folk song every done since the late 1950s. But for some dang reason I have never heard Emmylou on this particular song until today. What a DEEP and powerful song !! Thank you Emmy and Thank You Jesus..................

[@AegisNova]

I’m 62, and I didn’t come into this song or know about it until my late 40s. It was cowritten by Emmylou and Bill Niven and Taffy Danhoff from Starland Vocal Band.

[@patrickgenna935]

I a m so moved by this song by ELH . it tells us our lives r a mournful moment of time. JPG

[@amandaguest7742]

Beautiful song and voice. R.I.P Gram

[@HappySunshineDay]

1/15/23 I'm hearing this song for the first time ever. Crying - exploring Gram and Emmylou in the early days. ❤

[@TribuneReckster]

Breaks my heart. Graham, Emmy; the music that might have been. Sad story, great song.

[@alanbruce8632]

Gram, not Graham.

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@alanbruce8632 Thankyou

[@maggiethecat1538]

Ingram Connor the 3rd. Very wealthy family

[@Ken_Brooks]

When Emmylou sings about standing on the mountain and watching the canyon burn, you know she's dealing with the grief of watching a friend destroy himself and being helpless to do anything about it. This is powerful, emotionally wrenching music.

[@alanwhite9142]

From Boulder to Birmingham - - Somewhat “mirrors” Cheyenne to Tennessee” from Return of the Grievous Angel. His mind was on her as he toured across the country. Then hers was on him as she traveled following his death. I can’t hear one without thinking of the other.❤️

[@margaretross9150]

This song tells you everything Emmylou Harris felt about Gram Parsons. She has tended to his legacy ever since with kindness and grace.

[@maggiethecat1538]

Yes.

[@friendshipyu]

I love this sond since 50 years ago! Life is like a jar, half empty, sometimes half full, without a soulmate. Beautiful song, lady, steelguitar, guitar, and vocal.

[@lisalacey4116]

My daddy's fave , therefore I love it ❤❤❤

[@chrissteeden7007]

Never tire of hearing this song

[@linda.cafaro4284]

Can’t listen without getting very teary, I miss him too

[@maggiethecat1538]

Gram was a Scorpio with moon in Pisces. ♓ Double water signs. Alot of EMOTION.

[@tomobedlam297]

I'm a grand trine of fire signs and I'm blubbering like a baby hearing this song. 😢

[@maggiethecat1538]

​@@tomobedlam297me too.

[@anthonychiu6912]

Emily Liu I too really feeling your pain RIP G Parson 😥😥😥😪😪😪

[@KijanaBoyd-ex8rf]

Deadly bomb 16th Baptist church in

[@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q]

মরুভূমিতে ছিলাম, প্রেমের গান শুনতে চাই না..বোল্ডার থেকে বার্মিংহাম পর্যন্ত হেঁটে যাব.. 😭😞 Lyrics: I don't wanna hear a love song I got on this airplane just to fly And I know there's life below me But all that you can show me is a prairie and the sky And I don't wanna hear a sad story Full of heartbreak and desire The last time I felt like this I was in the wilderness and the canyon was on fire And I stood on the mountain In the night and I watched it burn I watched it burn, I watched it burn I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham I would hold my life in his saving grace I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham If I thought I could see, I could see your face Well, you really got me this time And the hardest part is knowing I'll survive I've come to listen for the sound Of the trucks as they move down out on ninety-five And pretend that it's the ocean Coming down to wash me clean, to wash me clean Baby, do you know what I mean I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham I would hold my life in his saving grace I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham If I thought I could see, I could see your face If I thought I could see, I could see your face

[@edithjohnson8235]

Definitely soulmates

[@patricaquigley875]

Fabouly sang its hsunting

[@jacquelinehaslam4763]

Such a beautiful song

[@Dan-uv5lw]

Here is a better version

[@susanlayton6758]

Graham was gorgeous!!!!

[@alanbruce8632]

His name was Gram.

[@srenhjgaardmikkelsen6508]

Gram! Diminutive of Ingram...

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@srenhjgaardmikkelsen6508 I Ingram Connor the 3rd.

[@margaretross9150]

Beautiful persona as well.

[@robertthole695]

sheer perfection

[@Penswordman]

You should re-do the mix and equalization on this. It ruins the song.

[@taniaspence4879]

Love x

[@Grace-f7d]

😇GVB ❤

[@anna-karin374]

She was and is the most fantastic country singer of al time!!!!!!

[@maggiethecat1538]

She is soo pretty.. Gets better with age.. RIP Gram Connor the 3rd .

[@alanbruce8632]

His name was Gram -- short for Ingram. I'm reading his biography now: TWENTY THOUSAND ROADS".

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@alanbruce8632 I have been obsessed lately. And I found out how to spell his name. Lol. Thankyou. Will check that book out.

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@alanbruce8632 twenty thousand roads I went down down down.. RIP Grievous Angel. 🙏

[@alanbruce8632]

@@maggiethecat1538 Yes!

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@alanbruce8632 😻🦋💞

[@SonnyRolin]

❤

[@andrzejczechowski2264]

I lost my closest person and this is one of two songs that calm my soul, thank you Emmylou.

[@mazpac]

Beautiful!

[@SonnyRolin]

En kärlek, en tragedi, en mycket vacker sång och ett minne för livet. Tack så mycket för uppladdning. Emmylou en sångfågel med en underbar vacker röst.

[@ricknelson4721]

I found it interesting that Bill Danoff wrote this song.

[@utwill]

Emmy Lou with Bill Danoff. According to Songfacts she wrote the lyrics, he wrote the music.

[@ZeroneAngel]

At 1:19 she sings: "I would rub my asshole in the bosom of abraham". Try to unhear it. You're welcome.