Thank You Lord For Your Blessings on Me

This song was written by James Easter and his two brothers in 1954, Russell Lee Easter and Edward Franklin Easter. James Madison Easter was born April 24 1933 in Mount Airy, North Carolina.  Growing up in North Carolina they were influenced by bluegrass music. Russell, James oldest brother taught him how to play the guitar when he was only eight years old.  However, just a couple of years later these 3 brothers were playing in beer joints and wouldn't be long before they were not just playing in them.  They became alcoholics before they could legally drive. Russell's life was almost taken when he got ahold of some bad whiskey, but he was spared and meet a young women from Danville VA who went to church and helped change Russell's life.  Russell and Ed moved to Danville VA to work at a cotton mill where they formed a band first called, "The Green Valley Quartet" but would later change it to "The Easters" to avoid confusion with another local band.

Meanwhile, James was still back in Mount Airy where he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and soon found himself in prison for stealing cars and taking them for joyrides. The judge not taking light of the him "borrowing cars" sentenced him to a 10 year sentence for a felony theft charge to do hard labor. James had no idea who God was as he had never been to church, heard a sermon, or even knew that Jesus loved him.  A few months after being in prison he went to a church service held in the mess hall and sat next to one of his buddies in the back to avoid the preacher looking at them.  However, this didn't work as the Rev C.S. Grogan looked back at him with tears in his eyes, pointed his finger and told him that someone loved him.  James punched his friend teasing saying he must have been talking to his mama.  James said that he didn't ask Jesus into his heart that day, but he wanted to. 

He was a very young man in prison and he was given a knife to help keep him safe from other men wanting to ruin him.  One night a man came in where James was sleeping on the top bunk and attacked him but James took the knife and pricked him in his throat the man left but came back the next night with another man.  While they were attacking him a third man came in with the biggest muscles James had ever saw and pulled those two men off him and they never bothered him again.  He stated he believed God sent an angel to protect him.  James had spent several Christmas's in prison and wasn't gonna spend another one there.  Him and another buddy had planned to escape with the help of two young women where he would have been on the run for the rest of his life.  However, the night before these women were gonna pick them up, he cooked one more meal where he was told that he was being released for good behavior after serving 5 years.  He returned back to Mount Airy.  His brother Russell came to him and convinced him to move to Danville VA.  While there he couldn't get the words of Rev Grogan out of his mind and found himself wandering into a little church where he gave his heart to God. He said that if he hadn't went to prison he probably wouldn't have given his life to God.    

James, a convicted felon and recovering alcoholic was fresh out of prison.  He only had a job that paid little of nothing.  He had no wealth, but he had a wife, and a young child. They lived in a tiny 2 room house that they rented for $10 a month. He felt he was right at the bottom, but he also knew being a young Christian that he had something in his life that made him happy. He sat down and wrote the words to "Thank you Lord for your Blessings on Me" which became one of the most beloved gospel songs in history.  This song has been chosen as the "Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year" in 2002.  It has also won a Dove Award.

These brothers started off by singing other groups songs, but their popularity really took off when they started writing their own songs.  They have been performing now from more than four decades.  They have written over 400 songs and have over 150 recordings with numerous awards.  They are recognized as one of the legendary groups and have been inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.

This song is the very first song I learned to sing when I was just about 10 years old.  I really related to this song even at a very early age.  I went on to sing it at church throughout the years.  I have so many blessings to be thankful for.  He kept me safe in some of my darkest years.  He always provided my every need.  

Lyrics

While the world looks upon me

As I struggle along

They say I've got nothing

But they are so wrong

In my heart I'm rejoicing

How I wish they could See

Thank you Lord

For your blessing on me!

There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table

And shoes on my feet

You gave me your love Lord

And a fine family

Thank you Lord

For your blessings on me!

I know I'm not wealthy

These clothes, they're not new

I don't have much money

But Lord I have you

And that's all that matters

Though the world may not see

Thank you Lord

For your blessings on me!

James Easter sharing his background story to this song.

                                           

Thank You Lord For Your Blessings on Me

Here are a few more songs these brothers wrote that are so precious to us even now.  This is just a few there is just way too many to list.

The Darkest Hour

They're Holding Up The Ladder 

You've Just Made My Day

Sources:
http://www.easterbrothers.com/newspage/
https://www.facebook.com/james.m.easter1
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/arts__entertainment/bluegrass-gospel-group-the-easter-brothers-still-saying-thank-you/article_1c0dd94a-debc-519b-9f16-22ba6cdc07e6.html
http://mayberrysmusiccenter.com/the-story-of-the-easter-brothers/
http://www.8-track-shack.com/the-easter-brothers-the-green-valley-quartet-ive-been-touched-p-102207.html?osCsid=v9ggck53avn8r75g2optfqbvk7