Sunshine On The Mountain

Pap is a prolific songwriter. Sometimes I think he's written too many to keep up with-because we perform his newer ones leaving the old ones forgotten in the bottom of his guitar case where he first scribbled them down on an old piece of paper. Actually every time you visit the Blind Pig & the Acorn you get a glimpse of one of Pap's songs. Scroll up and look at my banner at the top of the page-see the lined notebook paper behind the words Blind Pig & the Acorn? That is a piece of old notebook paper I borrowed from Pap's guitarcase-you can see Pap's handwritten song-coffee stains and all.

It's been at least 20 years since he wrote God's Sunshine On The Mountain. Like most of Pap's songs, the words are simple and the message is simple-or at least you think so the first time or two you listen to it-after a few more listens you begin to realize there is a deep meaningful current which runs through the song. Read the lyrics and see if you agree with me:

Oh Lord please guide me Help me find a way thats right With the shadows falling round me Help me walk in the light

There are times here in the valley my way is hard to find And I long for the mountain where God's sun always shines

Oh Lord please guide me Help me find a way thats right With the shadows falling round me Help me walk in the light

Here my time is swiftly passing My day is almost gone But the sun shines on the mountain And he'll light the path way home

Oh Lord please guide me Help me find a way thats right With the shadows falling round me Help me walk in the light

If you want to hear the song for yourself here it is-just click on the 12 track box below: (*Before you listen to the song you need to stop the music player-the music controls are along the top of this page on the far left side-just above the Blind Pig logo. Click the center round button to stop the player)

12 Track 12 (2)

I hope you enjoyed the song-and the sunshine. Drop back by tomorrow for one more post about Sunshine.

Tipper

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Comments

[Becky]

Love it, Tipper! The message calls to my heart.

[Ethelene Jones]

Tipper, Thanks for posting the words to Pap's song, "God's Sunshine on the Mountain" and giving us the link to hear it played and sung. I heard the song early this morning, and wanted to write about it then. However, with getting to church early to set up to teach my Sunday School class, I waited to write about it until now. I listened again, and again and loved the song each time! Your father has such a rhythmical way with words, and his words set to music (his original composition) are superb! The song provides a triple blessing: to the ear, to the spirit and to the mind! Please thank Jerry Wilson for me for writing the words, composing the music, and performing the song! I love his emphasis--perfect for the words. The harmony is delightful, too! The music lingers on, even after the recording is over. The third time I listened, I sang along with them, for by then I had transcribed the words and had them before me. You are right in your evaluation of his words: although they are simple, there is an undercurrent of profound meaning that runs throughout the song. I plan to type up the words and share the poem with friends and relatives who will appreciate the poem as I do--giving "Pap" Jerry Wilson due credit, of course! I hope in the future you will share more words and music of this "prolific songwriter" with us. And I was glad to know the origin of the yellow pages behind your logo: the handwritten words of one of your father's songs from his guitar case! What a legacy! Thanks!

[Ken]

Tipper,
Pap's song from the heart shines
so clearly and with devotion to
family. No wonder why so many of
us have come to love and appreciate the Wilson Family. The
morning pictures of the Sun coming
up over the mountains just make me
sigh...Ken

[Wanda]

Loved the song!!

[sandy]

what a beautiful song, written from the heart and sung from the heart too. thank you for sharing it. i love the music. reminds me of home. sandy xoxo

[Sheila Bergeron]

This was a most beautiful song- such harmonizing! You all do have a way with words- so does Miss Cindy. ya'll have a blessed day.

[dolores barton]

So beautiful! I look forward to tomorrow's post.

[Bradley]

Tipper next time you see Pap, will you tell him that song was sweet manna for me!

[Darlene LaRoche]

Love all the songs you share, I was fotunate enough to have won a CD of songs from you and I enjoy it so much!!

[Rush]

Beautifully put Miss Cindy and I agree that the Father's light is shining through Tipper's family! Her forefather's and mother's not only spoke the Shema over their children, they taught them to sing, play and perform it through their beautiful music, so we can all lift up our praise of the Father. Pap's song was a beautiful testimony for today! :)

[Ron Perry]

Wonderful song and beautiful harmony.

[LINDA L. KERLIN]

What a beautiful beautiful song --- thanks for sharing pap's song with us it sure did brighten up my morning..

[Gina]

Thank you for sharing Pap's beautiful song. I followed up with 'Always on The Sunnyside.'

[Sue Crane]

great way to start a Sunday! That one definitely needs to be brought out of the guitar case more often.

[Sheryl Paul]

Love it

[Elaine King]

That's real nice, Tipper. What a wonderful blessing to have a God fearing man to raise you!

[Ed Ammons]

Sol, that mighty magnificent blazing orb who seeks to dominate the daytime sky, is this morning obscured by tiny droplets of water. But the Son still shines from the mountain top with untold times the magnitude of his imitator and can be obscured by only those thoughts that we allow to cloud our spirit.

[kay dallas]

hey tipper: i need assistance in choosing books about appalachian culture,language, stories etc etc. i've been on amazon and it is very limited.any suggestions?

thank u so much! luv luv all about your site.
kay

[MEL]

Mighty fine!

[B. ruth]

Tipper,
I love Paps song...It was so good and meaningful..You are right about the lyrics..I guess that was his brother singing with him, when they were the Wilson Brothers duo...Would Paul and Pap consider singing and recording the song for the playlist or put Paps song on the playlist...It could be a morning prayer song...
Pap is right the higher on the mountain you go, the brighter Gods sun shines
Thanks Tipper and Pap
PS...I am so glad you explained about the banner..When you were doing the Civil War letters, I always thought it was one of those..I can't read it, as my eyes won't let me 'cipher 'tween the letters anymore...so now when I see it I know it was one of Paps songs, great!..Thanks again....

[Tim Mc]

I agree, a good song to live by. We all need direction.. I was reading this morning about God's directions for Joshua in his leading the Israelite people.. Good song and as always nicely done...

[Stephen Ammons]

Tipper and Pap,
I loved the song and it was beautifully written and performed. It was easy to tell that it came from his heart.Loved the photos too even with the big colorful dots. They looked like rainbows in dot form. Wishing all a wonderful day.

[Miss Cindy]

Tipper, you are right, the song is profound in it's depth of meaning. All the books, all the saints, and all the mystics teach us to ask and if we ask we will be shown the way. Your dad has always been a seeker of the light and that is where you got your angel training.
There are people in the world who quietly go about bringing peace and harmony in the world with no claims and no fanfare. Their life is their message. Your father is one of those people, as are you.
I love the song, I love the beauty of your father's voice singing it. I love that you have eyes to see.