The Garden of My Heart

 

This song was written by Joyce Reba Luttrell; better known as Dottie Rambo in 1974. Dottie was a nickname her mother Elizabeth started calling her and it just stuck.  She was born in Anton, Kentucky on March 2, 1934. She is the daughter of Vernon and Elizabeth Luttrell. She learned to play the guitar and started writing her own songs by the age of eight years old near her Kentucky home on a creek bank. She found inspiration from her grandfather who was a preacher.  She was twelve years old when she became a born again Christian and made a commitment to write and sing Christian songs.  She had to make a huge sacrifice as her father gave her the option to stop singing Christian music or move out.  She left home and went on the road singing in churches. When she was sixteen, she was at a revival meeting when she meet Buck Rambo and they got married shortly after.  They formed a trio called, "The Gospel Echoes" and traveled throughout various places in the US. In 1951 she had a daughter they named Reba and by 1964 Reba joined the group and they changed their name to "The Singing Rambos."  A governor of Louisiana heard one of her songs and flew her and her family to his mansion so that she could sing her songs for him.  He paid her to publish her songs and started promoting the songs in the 1960's that started her professional career in gospel music.  

Throughout her music career she has written over 2,500 songs that put her in the ranks with Fanny Crosby among the women who have had the greatest impact in gospel music. Several music icons have recorded her songs as well as songs being in movies.  Several of her songs are included in hymnals.  The best-known inspirational song and the biggest hit song is "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need." Other well-known songs she has written "We Shall Behold Him,' 'If That Isn't Love,' 'Build My Mansion Next Door to Jesus,' 'To Much To Gain To Lose,' 'Remind Me Dear Lord,' 'Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of that City,' I've Never Been This Homesick Before.' 'I Go to the Rock,' "Troubles Just All Roll Away' and 'Somebody Prayed for Me.' This is just a few that I know and love myself. Many of her songs she is known for are referred to as valley songs.  What a God given talent and legacy to leave us with!  

She lost her life at the age of 74 on May 11, 2008, in a fatal bus accident when her tour bus ran off the highway near Mt. Vernon, Missouri on their way to a concert in Texas. Her going home celebration was held on May 19, 2008 with over 4,000 people in attendance at the Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by her final resting place at Woodlawn's Cross Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Lyrics:

You made my heart a garden filled with flowers

And the green grass like a carpet 

Kissed by the morning dew.

You blessed the seeds of love I sow

Warmed my heart so they could grow.

Now shelter me in your arms Lord

'Cause a storm is passin' through.

Walk through the garden of my heart
and calm the storm, Lord. 

Less the pretty roses fail to bloom again.

You made the winds a gentle breeze.

Now let me feel your sunshine please, Lord

Walk through the garden of my heart.

I can bring the water to the roses

And plant the seeds of kindness

So the bitter weeds can't grow. 

But I can't cause the rain to fall

On the dry and thirsty soil. 

And I can't cal the storm of life 

Or the angry winds that blow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOALiNSRfmw Posted by Mr. Scott 

from: The Rambos Album "Yours, Until He Comes" 1974

The Rambos Medley - Several Good Songs in one