Once
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns · The Three Bells [Bear Family] [1993]
I was happy once
You'd never believe it today
I got careless once
All that was you got away.
All great regret
Like the flavor of wine
You only grow deeper
With the passing of time.
Life had beauty once
It's not worth living today
I slipped out once
All that was here slipped away.
All great regret
Like the flavor of wine
You only grow deeper
With the passing of time.
Life had meaning once
It's cold and so empty today
I was foolish once
I let my once get away...
Once - Jim Ed Brown and the Browns
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns delivered a soulful rendition of "Once" on their 1993 Bear Family release, The Three Bells. As a seminal figure in gospel and soul music, Brown's voice carries the weight of decades of spiritual expression, blending traditional church traditions with a rich, emotive style. The track exemplifies the group's ability to weave complex harmonies with a deep sense of reverence, characteristic of their extensive discography. Recorded during an era when gospel music was experiencing a significant resurgence, the song reflects the genre's enduring power to inspire and uplift. It stands as a testament to Brown's mastery of the form, capturing the essence of communal worship and personal devotion that defined his career and influenced countless subsequent artists in the soul and gospel realms.