Gavin Bryars (born 1943) - Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet
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- Опубліковано 13 вер 2024
- Please note in this version of the work the ensemble join with the tape four minutes into the piece
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.
The piece was originally recorded on Brian Eno's Obscure label in 1975 and a substantially revised and extended version for Point Records in 1993. The version that is played by my ensemble was specially created in 1993 to coincide with this last recording.
© Gavin Bryars
About the composer: Gavin Bryars
Gavin Bryars has continually shunned convention, choosing to create his own distinctive and unique path: He studied philosophy at Sheffield University and became a professional jazz bassist and a pioneer of free improvisation working especially with Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley. In the late 1960s he worked with John Cage and this influenced his early works. He has formed fruitful collaborations with international artists from across the spectrum, from Merce Cunningham and William Forsyth to Juan Munoz and Robert Wilson. The Gavin Bryars Ensemble and GB Records continue to document his work. Serene, graceful and achingly beautiful, his music is characterized by a sense of contemplation that is revealed through harmony of underlying depth.
No one knows his name, but Jesus does.
This piece hit me like a freight train the first time I heard it.
Moved to tears. I parked my car and just listened and cried. Moving. There is something powerful about those words and the music. Thank you
One of my favourite music since I was 15 years. Always catch me this music. It has something that attracts to me immensely.❤
it is called idol worship...very powerful stuff...to be avoided, imho
The saddest thing is that this sample of him singing is the only thing left of him. No name, no record, probably no descendants. He died in anonymity and that's so sad.
Not sad now. He is most probably in the presence of God. Heaven is for those who have been cleansed in Jesus blood. I hope to meet him there
not true, this is my grandpapa and he's still alive and well!
I see your point but as someone who follows Jesus as this man did, I am certain he's known very well to God!
I don't think it is sad. I think the art is free and the art is ephemeral (I'm not sure this word means exactly the same in english than in french that is my mother tongue). So this piece of music, by a miracle, came to us in a virgin state. I'd say the man who sang was not corrupted by the "industry" and his soul and his art came to us as clean as it was. ;-)
Jesus hasn't failed him because they are together now. No name, no record, no descendants , anonymity in life are so superficial compared to what Jesus promises us, and He will never fail us if we trust Him.
I was 11 or 12 years old the first time that i listened, it was on Italian tv show about Books, the journalist just said : "This singer is an old homeless man in London streets. Listen how poetic and powerful his voice is. Jésus blood never failed me yet". This morning i woke up thinking about this song, don't Know why, ignore the song title, never listened to it since 30 years, but found quite easily. Still emotional and i'm amazed to discover the story behind it, Gavin going back to look for this singer and not finding him. Gavin Bryars arranged it perfectly, it's important to bring attention to our fellow citizens living in the streets, he did it in his way. Great inspiration, i probably got so involved in supporting homeless human beings over the years, thanks to people like Gavin Bryars, who put the spotlight on them. Thanks 🙏 you all
"So the Last will be First "
Not worthy to tie their shoes ... ?
Heard this on R3 one morning driving to work and had to stop the car and howl. Somehow it bypasses all rational thoughts and goes straight to the heart.
Hello, Katherine. Same here. Although it was included in their superb Sunday afternoon programme: "words and music". Time stopped. And I was lifted up into another realm. What would we do without radio 3. Noel
❤️❤️❤️
To ALL the musicians in this ensemble - and EVERYONE involved in bringing this experience to us - THANK YOU!
@phaedraensemble 'Bravo' for G.Bryars and for your ensemble, but you should write that the singing voice is a homeless (he never knew 'his' success, he died before...).
hacks
The orchestra waits quietly, and seemingly sombrely, till the 3:59 minute mark to join this homeless man's voice. Masterfully composed and arranged.
"Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" has never failed me yet!
give me a few pints of Guinness , then a bottle of whiskey...okay, now i agree wit ya!!
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! i am an atheist. this piece safed my soul!
But Jesus knows who he is and how much his song has touched the hearts of who knows how many of us?
Maybe one day we will meet him in eternity and sing with him. Praise the Lord!
you mean: praise be the lord, me thinks...avoid idol worship at all costs, people!!You will be the better for it
Heard on radio 4 something understood
Moved I searched on UA-cam and cried. Then I read the comments and cried again. Love and be loved
those tears are formed of the power of idolatry...beware
So grateful! My recently 'x' atheist son was moved by this as he made a pumpkin pie from scratch with a coconut/seeds and walnut almond crust- (his invention) in the middle of the night while I slept because I can't consume a normal crust - (so loving!) and he was touched by this so much that I could tell as he told me about it, (just now) he was humbled and 'had Holy Ghost chills'... oh, I am SO GRATEFUL!!! It is touching me right now as I listen for the first time! What a beautiful blessing! Heavenly! THANK YOU!!!
I listen to this and feel a deep sense of sadness, compassion, and humility. All of a sudden any anger or hate i had disappears and a sense of perspective dawns on me. Then, to be forgotten again. This is how poweful music can be. We need to be moved more; we need more love in the world so we can carry this sense of perspective with us
but we must be on the look out for this kind of idol worship....be vigilante...realize this catchy tune is idolatry...pulling at the heart-strings, eh! Idolatry is a sin...punishable...
Beautiful. The simple harmonic lift in stanza 3 would have moved Elgar himself to tears. I think this poor old chap must have sung this in his youth maybe in Edwardian England, and by God he carries that tune so well.
Elgar Edward?...the chap from England? maybe?... Wow, you got quit the imagination! ha
This was performed recently by the Oundle school orchestra under the leadership of Quentin Thomas. Absolutely stunning! Hadly a dry eye. Thanks to all concerned.
Oh man... I just found myself crying just from the moment the voice started to say these words of hope and peace. It doesn't matter what religion you belong to, we all need to believe in something to regain strength when things are complicated, and the mere fact that this beautiful composition came from this moment of hope pictures it perfectly. This is moving to the core of our human nature.
Greg 150
You're absolutely right, it doesn't matter what religion you're in, because the fact is that it's not even about any "religion", it's about what that man came to grips with in his situation, that man will fail you, he found relief in knowing the blood of Jesus and his saving grace sustained him when nobody else cared. And he's now resting safely in his eternal home with the One whose precious soul cleansing, life changing blood will never fail you.
i agree in sentiment, but it is idol worship...not good at all
I visit this piece on here at least twice a year, It never fails to move me. I cry.
First time I listened to this was in 1977, still moving and beautiful
I just woke up from a coma when this was played
I listened this Song more of 35 Years ago, in these days Is back on my mind, now I booked and think it's really a masterpice.
Wow. Thank you so much for the loving and respectful rendition of this sweet man’s song. The musicians’ sensitivity while playing their parts came through too. I love the repetition of the phrase. The music and his voice is so full of peace and gratitude. Relaxed me during this time of Coronavirus.❤️
Tengo 49 años y descubri esta joya con. 15 años, y siendo un adolescente me atrapó su sensibilidad y paz. Hacia más de 20 años que no la escuchaba de nuevo y he roto en lágrimas a los 3 minutos. Te abre el corazón y las emociones surgen de manera espontánea. Sin duda hay algo divino en ella.❤
Jesus' blood never failed me yet,
Never failed me yet,
Jesus' blood never failed me yet,
This one thing I know,
Oh, he loves me so,
Jesus' blood never failed me yet,
Never failed me yet,
Jesus' blood never failed me yet,
This one thing I know,
Oh, he loves me so,
Heard this in the car years ago and was so overwhelmed I had to pull over to the side of the road to let it finish.
Today I was at a concert of the Gavin Bryar Ensemble in my hometown. They played this piece that I know very well. Epic moving experience!
I just came back from a 38-minute version of this at the Barbican, I'm blown away
Thanks for that! I was there and guessed it at 40 minutes.
It was great last night.
@@stevewhittles2822 I could have sat there for hours more!
How am I expected to read your posts through tearful eyes
Lo estoy escuchando nuevamente y el sentimiento que me produce es indescriptible. Llega a lo más profundo y sagrado de mi alma. Gracias a todos ustedes por este momento mágico!
Moves me to tears!
Wowww!! this will tune your vibration to only what is Good for your soul.. Thank you Bryas and I know the Blood of Christ is still in the business of not yet failing any one who calls upon The Blood.
This is very interesting. I am 59 years old and think I have heard just about everything. But I heard this for the first time yesterday on a college radio station and it played for 25 minutes. I was fascinated. I listened to the whole thing because I was so curious of the name of the piece and singer, and I have been stuck on this since yesterday. It's very beautiful, especially for Memorial day and my late dad was a veteran....Thank you. Beautiful.
I had the same experience as you ... maybe 25 years ago? I'm staying in my car listening to this song, upset, today it always makes me the same effect. pascal.
I as well had the same experience and listening to the hour plus version. I was parked in my driveway and outside of hearing the first Beatles song and my first Andrea Bocelli song , this song has had as profound affect on me. Thanks for sharing.
@@peterbrownstein6045me , too! but one should be careful...this is the work of the Shatan, i believe....Jeezuz is not G-d
An instant tearjerker. Apparently it was just a recording of a homeless man who just started singing out of nowhere, not because he was drunk or anything, he just felt like singing because he was happy. I love how it begins with just his voice singing this phrase over and over in total silence, but when the violins began playing it gave his song a kind of serenity because you envision a man with absolutely nothing - no home, no family, no money, just this song. It’s melancholic, combined with this sense of joy that we don’t really understand because we take things for granted. Then the rest of the orchestra joins in, reaching to this heavenly crescendo that emphasizes how content he is with so little in a world that always wants more. This piece beautifully captures what it’s like to be genuinely happy and untroubled.
a composition, a voice which is dedicated to all suffering people in the world. giving them a voice, it's a preach and a wish to be released. he comforts himself. lost in the life and the world. this work is a little lovely kiss to all sad citizens. remember them.
I was lucky enough to witness this piece by the Gavin Bryars Orchestra in my hometown once. It was an amazing enigmatic experience, hard to describe. At some point, due to the repetition, you're no longer just listening and watching, new thought emerge, feelings take over, it gets under your skin...
Impresionante...sin palabras para describir este sentimiento que me provoca... Gracias!
Only just heard this. I'm an atheist, but this moved me to tears.
A great performance, as serene as one would hope for. Thanks so much for having posted this.
I first had access to this work a good few years ago, when a friend shared it with me because of the quality and delicacy of the whole arrangement, as well as the particularity of the material (collected from the streets) that was at its origin.
For a few years, I would listen to it again from time to time, because it had always impressed me, until one day it became light in my spirit and I finally understood that the "affectation", the "emotional power", the "calm" and the peaceful weeping referred to by the composer (Gavin Bryars), are none other than the consequences of the action and power of the Holy Spirit manifested through that repeated affirmation of the old man over those who hear it.
God created us to have a love relationship with us and, in the most unexpected ways, speaks to us through the Holy Spirit to reveal his purposes, his ways, and to call us into that form of relationship that is the most important and the greatest fulfillment of human life. By His grace, we will be able to understand that the "religious song" sung by the homeless man who is not drunk, is the gratitude of someone who, despite his circumstances and in a profound act of faith, walks serenely through this world, grateful for the relationship he has achieved and for the spiritual sonship he has been granted by accepting Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross.
To this respect, God's Word says in Ephesians 2:13, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near by the blood of Christ." Nothing is more powerful than the blood of Jesus, for through it, one has access to the Father and the blessing of salvation! "... But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
What a wonderful example: of surrender, of humility, of peace and of hope that is given to us here. Regardless of the precariousness, the absurdity or the harshness of the circumstances. For God there is something precious in every human being. It is up to each individual the decision to take that tremendous step, to look differently, higher, to believe, to value himself, and to let God work in his life. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)
Still gets me.
Thank you from my father's heart.
Exquisite. I can think of no other word.
I liked the part where Jesus blood didn't fail him.... in all seriousness though this is truly beautiful!
Dude, that's like the best part.
Thank you, I listen several times every year or two and have for about 15 years. Although are oldest daughter died 40 for years ago the healing from this cold mingles beauty Joy simplicity and sorrow
Beautiful, straight to the heart.
Just haunting, I originally thought it was Robert Wyatt when I heard it few years ago. Beautiful and pertinent now
Absolutely pertinent.
Ha! Good guess, and also music that can bring me to tears.
Touching deep inside your soul....Helping the right people, never hurts anyone..
Absolutely beautiful. Can imagine so many more harmonies being sung eternally.
Sad and hopeful and the same time.
Amen hallelujah, glory to God in the Highest.. Jesus Blood does not fail to cover a multitude of sins.. things we do unintentionally things we do not wish upon anyone His blood saves us
How do you put the effect of this music into words? The old man has great dignity, and despite the weakness of his voice, sings the song with very moving sincerity. Presumably his life was hard and close to its end, which makes the commitment with which he sings these particular words all the more convincing .... and if you are Christian, which I am not, he is just one for whom the words would have the greatest truth. As for Gavin Bryars' orchestral contribution, it simply adds powerful, rich support to what was already enormously powerful. There is nothing else like this in any music I have heard .
This song just makes me cry :(
I've heard this many times over the years and it always moves me so immensely so.
Humble words with such delicate tunes. This is Powerful.
Truly moving.
Jesus' blood never failed me yet. ♥
Revelation12:11 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death."
This should be taken off the internet = it is too emotional..................thanks for making me feel emotion
thank you and thank you
All well to ya all
Straight to the heart
I first heard this at the QEH in December 1972. By then, I had known Mr Bryars for a couple of years. Indeed he had bent my ear at a mutual friend's vodka party about another work he was developing based on research he was undertaking on the sinking of some large sea-going vessel or other. ;-) So glad that both works were recorded for Mr Eno's Obscure Records. I would add that |I much prefer the original to the extended version to be found on a Point CD, the excellence of the musicians on that recording notwithstanding.
A brave composition which touches the soul
Beautyful song.
I thougt jars of clay owne this song.
This so beautyful and loded with love and real feeling from this poor old man.
Breathtaking.
In Jesus’ Name Amen
thank you for this beautiful version ❤️
I would've loved to have met the homeless man who sang this song.❤️
Orchestration and Performance - Absolutely Beautiful. Better than that - Jesus' Blood!
The repetition gets to you and it's very pleasing to the ear. I'd be like those people pulling over on the highway to let it soak in. It really has that hypnotic sense. Still, I think perhaps 15 minutes in duration should just about pull it up.
Gavin Bryars, un genio gentile e sensibile. Grazie per il sogno commovente e intenso. Paolo RosazzaP Biella -Italy
This music lifts my spirit and should be a pleasing listen . This is not sad music and should be danced to like a Waltz . Get up couch potatoes and rejoice a dance .
Love the violin players .Love the whole band and the conductor that does not conduct
So true... Discovered this thanks to a ballet ( quintet Forsyth) performed in Lyon yesterday...
Stunning.
Beautiful
Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so. Amen.
Nu pas ondekt . Zooooo mooi. Tranen.
So beautiful.
So Powerful...
Happy Easter Everyone
superior to the waits one
tom waits version is crap.
@@m1ke1981 read the CD cover explaining how this production & the tom waits dub evolved....& dont shun either; much was accidental years after the original....& I love the Waits version as it suited the place i was in when first heard it.....earily stunningly good....
PS: the London tramp (homeless person these days) was living in cardboard city under the newish concrete overpass in Elephant & Castle, sth London....singin his refrain: it is eerily like the voice of my gradfather...a londoner too...& has so much different resonances for who you are! Pls dont slate any version, as it may jst be yr pref & self indulgence...thks!
@@@malcolmsavage7748 Didn't mean to offend anybody here. I have both recordings on vinyl and I'm a big follower of minimalist music. I know the background about this composition and how it came about. I just feel that the original by Gavin Bryar already packs powerful heartfelt emotions. I just feel that the Tom Waits version with his raspy voice doesn't really add anything to the original. I'm glad that we can both agree about the emotions this piece conveys even though we're in two different worlds.
@@m1ke1981 yes .it sounded a bit laboured . I do love Tom but he has done much better thingsstuff
I'm not crying, You're crying!
Sobbing😢
Heartbreaking. I just wonder what happened to this old fella.
He died
This poor old chap died in anonymity.
Bob here: And yet, he's a hero in Heaven, eh?
The old fella is Lazare, don't worry about him...
Why, he's in Heaven of course -- with his beloved friend, Jesus!
Look up James M. Black, "His Love Never Failed Me Yet" (1912).
This man may have been poor but he was richer than all of us.
Yes
the human pain under jesus hug.
mi commuove da sempre
Moving as ever.
Tan pobre pero tan rico que bendice a quien lo oye.
Grazie
this music is not sad ;it is acceptence of what we cannot control = life =peace
i'like this
Wonderful vocals by Clive Dunn. RIP
It's sad that the harp didn't come trough. Beautiful even to a nonbeliever.
🎧🙏🎧🙏🎧🙏 1971
I think it's "Jesu's blood" and not "Jesus' blood" -cos he says Jesu with the emphasis on the "u". not that it matters really but i'm still trying to find out where it comes from. anyone know?
Emozionante.
Beautiful performance, but why did the sound engineer think it was necessary to swamp the tramp's voice with reverb once the ensemble started playing? The voice on the original album recording is bone dry and works perfectly.
In my opinion, the increase in emotion should have derived and concluded with a cheerful, dynamic and luminous orchestration. Almost even lavish.
En mi opinión , el aumento de emotividad tendría que haber derivado y concluído con una orquestación alegre , dinámica y luminosa. Casi, incluso, fastuosa.
Where's tom waits
大学の講義でやったわ。この曲。
Beautiful, beautiful!
Is Jesus blood a reference to wine?
Tramp
He sounds South African
24 thumb down?. well done you heartless, sad empty headed people.
They probably realize the horror of a person whose God failed him due to his miserable existence so deluded by his beliefs he refuses to admit he failed he has been by his God. They don't see this song as beautiful but a tragic example of delusion.
@@davisgoodman6621 wrong, it's a ditty about hope.... even in despair there's hope. when all else is falling apart....... hope.