Just a Closer Walk With Thee
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| “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single by Selah Jubilee Singers | ||
| A-side | A Walking In The Light Of God | |
| Released | 1941 | |
| Format | 45 rpm | |
| Recorded | October 8, 1941 | |
| Genre | Gospel | |
| Length | 3:19 | |
| Label | Decca 7872 | |
| Writer(s) | Unknown | |
"Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is one of the best-known gospel songs in the world.
Contents |
[edit] History
It was probably the favorite southern gospel song of the twentieth century, yet no one knows who wrote it or when it was written.[1] It became known nationally in the 1930s, when African American churches held huge musical conventions. In the 1940s southern gospel quartets featured it in all-night gospel-singing rallies.
First known recording was by the Selah Jubilee Singers in October 8, 1941, (Decca Records 7872) New York City; with Thurman Ruth and John Ford lead vocal, Fred Baker, lead baritone; Monroe Clark, baritone; J. B. Nelson, bass vocal; and Fred Baker on guitar.[2] Rosetta Tharpe also recorded the song on December 2, 1941 (Decca 8594), featured Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra.[3] In the 1956 Elvis Presley set sales records with it on a 45 rpm single. A unreleased home recording also exists for Elvis,[4] made in Waco, Texas on May 27, 1958.[5] Elvis's studio version can be heard on Just A Closer Walk With Thee (2000) (Czech CD on Memory label).[6] Tennessee Ernie Ford made the charts with it in the late 1950s. And by the time the 1970s had ended, more than a hundred artists had recorded the song.
It is probably the single most frequently played number in the hymn and dirge section of New Orleans "jazz funerals".
[edit] Lyrics
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more,
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom, dear Lord, to Thy shore.
[edit] Notable cover versions
"Just a Closer Walk With Thee" has been covered by a number of different singers and groups. A partial list includes:
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[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Petersen, William J. The Complete Book of Hymns, Tyndale House Publishers , Inc. (2006), page 70 - ISBN 1414309333
- ^ Dixon, Robert M. W. Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943, Oxford University Press (1997), page 786 - ISBN 0198162391
- ^ Dixon, Robert M. W. Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943, page 912
- ^ Just a Closer Walk With Thee Elvis unreleased homerecording
- ^ Neale, David. Roots of Elvis, iUniverse, page 74 - ISBN 0595295053
- ^ Elvis Presley: Just A Closer Walk With Thee
- ^ George Lewis: Echos of New Orleans, Vol. 1
- ^ Bob Dylan Roots
- ^ All Music: Song List
