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about

A crossover RnB and Gospel "Disco" hit in 1975, by The Mighty Clouds of Joy, just seemed like a fun way to end the album. I needed a strong closer. I had heard the song as a kid, but rediscovered it because it was covered by Jerry Garcia Band, and my tribute to Saunders/Garcia, Hooteroll?, used to play it. We stopped because it was getting hard for me to sing in the original key, so I brought I down a step.

This last song came together from start to finish in about six days. I decided to do it, laid down my arrangement with the guitar and bass (the bass part of fun to play), and did it to a disco loop. I sent it to Joe, he happened to be able to turn it around in a day or so. Then of course, Scott Guberman, who could do this in his sleep.

All that was left was Denise Stewart Bates, who else could give me Black gospel vocals like she does? I sent it over to Phil, asked him if he had some bell bottoms and boogie to bring... and he did.

I love the energy, the feel everyone brought, it was a great closer.

And with that, Mike Lawson & Friends had laid it all down.

lyrics

Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high

Take a load off your feet Hear what I'm saying
Hear what I'm saying it will set your mind at ease
I was just a man A lonely man indeed
God took all my troubles Yes, He did, He set me free

Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high

He led me to discover the man that I could be
Let Him be your leader He's so good He'll set you free
Listen to my story Listen to my plea
Let Him be your leader He will end your misery

Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high

Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high

Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high

Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high
Take a load off your mind Ride the mighty glory
Listen to my story Ride the mighty high

Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high
Come on and ride the mighty high


David Crawford / Richard James Downing
© Universal Music Publishing Group
Used by Permission

credits

from Lay It All Down, released October 7, 2022
Joe Montague - Drums/Percussion
Denise Stewart Bates - Backing Vocals
Mike Lawson - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Scott Guberman - Hammond organ
Phil Keaggy - Guitar

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Mike Lawson & Friends Nashville, Tennessee

Mike Lawson has, over 30 years, recorded and/or performed together with Merl Saunders, Vince Welnick, Vassar Clements, Pete Sears, Gary Talley, John McEuen, Bob Welch, Dennis Robbins, Joe Louis Walker, Jorma Kaukonen, Phil Keaggy, Jack Casady, Scott Guberman, Dianne Davidson, Noah Wall, Tyra Juliette, Bill Vitt, Rob Wasserman, Michael Cleveland, Phil Madeira, and a host of other amazing friends. ... more

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