I've Got the Key to the Kingdom
"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" | |
---|---|
Single by Washington Phillips | |
Recorded | Dallas, Texas, December 2, 1929 |
Genre | Gospel blues |
Length | 3:05 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | See text |
Producer(s) | Frank B. Walker |
"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1929 by Washington Phillips (1880–1954, vocals and zither).[1]
The song consists of several verses and a refrain:
I've got the key to the kingdom,
And the Devil can't do me no harm.
The verses relate to the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den, and his deliverance from it; found in the Book of Daniel at Chapter 6.
Phillips' song may be a variant of a traditional gospel song. "Key to the Kingdom" by Bessie Johnson and the Sanctified Singers (1929, 10" 78rpm single Okeh 8725) consists almost entirely of a similar refrain.[2][3] "Got a Key to the Kingdom" by Josh White (1935, 10" 78rpm single Melotone 5-11-60 and simultaneous releases) has the same tune and a similar refrain, but very different verses.[4]
Recordings
- 1929 – Washington Phillips[5][6]
- 1929 – Blind Willie Davis (song titled as "I've Got a Key to the Kingdom") on Paramount Records[7]
See also
- Keys of the Kingdom (disambiguation)
References
- ^ "Washington Phillips discography". wirz.de. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ arwulf, arwulf. Various Artists: Memphis Gospel: Complete Works (1927–1929) at AllMusic. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ "Okeh 8000 series numerical listing pt. 2". 78discography.com. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ "Josh White discography". wirz.de. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ George Washington Phillips: I've Got the Key to the Kingdom at AllMusic. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ I've Got the Key to the Kingdom at AllMusic. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ "Illustrated Blind Willie Davis Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- v
- t
- e
(chronological)
- "Lift Him Up That's All" / "Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There"
- "Denomination Blues – Part 1" / "Denomination Blues – Part 2"
- "Mother's Last Word to Her Son" / "Paul and Silas in Jail"
- "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today" / "Jesus Is My Friend"
- "I Am Born to Preach the Gospel" / "Train Your Child"
- "A Mother's Last Word to Her Daughter" / "I've Got the Key to the Kingdom"
- "I Had a Good Father and Mother" / "The Church Needs Good Deacons"
releases
- "You Can't Stop a Tattler – Part 1" "You Can't Stop a Tattler – Part 2"