Sunny Side Up: The powerful song of one homeless man
By Kathleen Gibson
In 1971, English composer Gavin Bryars, along with his friend Alan Power, were working on a film about homeless people living on the streets of London. Encountering a group of drunks singing, they recorded their eclectic chorus, mostly sentimental ballads and broken bits of opera.
One singer, they noticed, was not drinking. An older man. His song snagged his observers. Perhaps he’d learned it as a child. Or maybe he’d discovered it later in life, and it brought him comfort. Either way, the man had a song. He sang it sweetly. Quietly. Reverently. Lisping, perhaps because of missing teeth. Over and over, he sang the same phrases. Bryars got them all on tape.
That clip never made the film. Bryars kept it, though. Eventually, he composed an accompaniment to the man’s simple melody, an uncomplicated score using brass and strings. The players weave in and out of the singer’s phrases, their chords harmonizing, always taking second place to the song. Never overriding it.
But here’s what convinced Bryars to add layers to the voice of that homeless man. Recording the music onto his own equipment, he’d left his studio to fetch a coffee, leaving his door open and the original tape playing. On his return, he noticed the artists in an adjoining studio had paused their work to listen, mesmerized. At least one person sat alone. Weeping.
That response confirmed the spiritual power of the song, but also the quiet dignity of the singer. Bryars’ finished work has since won awards and moved listeners the world over.
I first heard that music while driving. It snagged me too; hesitant with an almost ethereal quality. Something serenely transcendent. The singer’s phrases repeated several times before the orchestral accompaniment joined in. Riveted, I parked, turned off my vehicle and sat to listen. I now understand what so moved those first listeners to the song of a man with no home but the dirty streets of London.
Jesus’ blood never failed me, yet. Never failed me, yet. This one thing I know, for he loves me so. Jesus’ blood never failed me, yet. Never failed me, yet. This one thing I know, for he loves me so. Jesus’ blood never failed me, yet. Never failed me, yet. This one thing I know, for he loves me so…Jesus’ blood…”
The old soul singer died without knowing his song lived on. It seems no one except one other long-ago homeless man knew his real name. Only Jesus. Yet that repeating melody with its sweet words of trusting faith has deeply affected the hearts of spiritually thirsty people the world over.
If life has stripped you of everything, if you one day forget all you’ve ever learned; if no one even cares to remember your name, count on this: Jesus knows. Jesus cares. And if you place your faith in him, his blood will indeed never fail you. Because he loves you so.
Sunny Side Up has inspired readers with glimpses of everyday life and Christian faith since 2001. Contact Kathleen at sunnysideup.press@gmail.com
Kathleen Gibson