I created a tribute video using from clips of the first season of Christy. The song used, “You Raise Me Up”, was originally performed by Secret Garden on their 2002 album Once in a Red Room. The song includes features the iconic sound of bag pipes and it’s no surprise given the group is considered Irish-Norwegian. “You Raise Me Up” was later covered by Josh Groban on his 2004 album Closer. It reached number one on the US Adult Contemporary Billboard charts.
The song’s lyrical meaning is often attributed to the need of God in our life. When we have troubles, pain, and sorrow He can lift us up out of our despair. Sometimes a family member, friend, church member, stranger, or even a teacher can show compassion and help us through our difficulties. Trials and problems make us stronger as shown in the lyrics by making us strong and raising us up when we’re down. So even when the chips are down, don’t give up.
It took me almost exactly one month to complete this tribute. Before deciding to publishing it, hurricane Helene made landfall in 2004. It has caused mass destruction and flooding particularly in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee and other nearby states. As I write this, many people have died, and are the area is still in the phase of response and recovery. Just a few miles away from my home over 100 homes were completely destroyed and four deaths have occurred in the county and at least 13 in other nearby counties. Certain debris fields are over 35 feet high, and several individuals are still missing. It will take many years to recover, however some areas will never be able to. The historical landmarks from Christy in Del Rio, TN, were spared by the height of the railroad; however, the lower land was completely flooded by the French Broad River.
It seemed that rescuers during Hurricane Katrina (2005), found it easier to spot victims because of it’s flat land. In contrast, Hurricane Helene (2024), affected Western North Carolina and East Tennessee in a much different manner. The search area is from one mountain ridge crest up another. From every cove, mountain and valley. The visibility is vastly more difficult to locate and rescue people by vehicle. Accessibility is sometimes impossible by road because they were washed away. Floods down the mountains swept away entire towns. Helicopter rescues have been essential. The scope of the disaster extends from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, and East Tennessee. I believe it’s the worst natural disaster of the 21st century, surpassing Hurricane Katrina.
The most populated city of destruction has been Asheville. I always knew Christy really wasn’t a flat lander. I would never consider her home in Asheville, North Carolina as flat. But to the people in the cove, she was seen as city folk, so I guess the thought of that goes along with the territory.
Before completing the video, I remembered the quote Alice Henderson said in the Pilot episode and decided to include it:
“These mountains are beautiful. They are also frightening. Sometimes even deadly. You’ve seen it already.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Helene
Lyrics
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.
You raise me up to more than I can be.
Songwriters: Rolf U. Lovland / Brendan Graham