SAVED IN THE ARMS

(Jimmy Rankin (m & l) )

As sung by the Rankin Family 1993 < North Country >


They carried my old friend to the church yard
My eyes cast slowly to the ground
The preacher read him his last words
Then they lowered his body down.

Saved in the arms of my loved one
Saved on his gentle breast
Saved in the arms of my loved one
I lay my weary head down to rest.

The church bell tolled for the rich man
The church bell tolled for the poor
I shed a final tear for my old friend
For never will I see him no more.


Saved in the arms of my loved one
Saved on his gentle breast
Saved in the arms of my loved one
I lay my weary head down to rest.


Gone are the days of Black Diamond
Gone is the beer and whiskey too
I said a final prayer for my old friend
Then carried my body home to you.


Saved in the arms of my loved one
Saved on his gentle breast
Saved in the arms of my loved one
I lay my weary head down to rest.


Saved in the arms of my loved one
Saved on his gentle breast
Saved in the arms of my loved one
I lay my weary head down to rest.


I lay my weary head to rest.

NOTES:

The Rankin Family are a Canadian musical family group. 
They hail from Mabou, province of Nova Scotia (the same 
province as Rita MacNeil…see elsewhere in this 
ILP database for her work).

The original group of five were made up from twelve siblings, 
all of whom were musically talented. The first group started 
singing in 1970. They performed Celtic music as well as 
jigs and reels.

They won a number of Canadian music awards. Sadly, many of 
the members from the original group, passed relatively 
early in life.


(Transcribed by David Story - February 2014)