He's Got the Whole World in His Hands facts for kids
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands is an old African American song called a spiritual. It was first written down and shared in 1927. This song became a huge hit around the world in 1957 and 1958. This happened after English singer Laurie London recorded his version. Many other singers and choirs have also recorded it.
Song's History
The song was first published in a songbook called Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New in 1927. Later, in 1933, a person named Frank Warner heard Sue Thomas singing it in North Carolina. He wrote it down.
Other people also collected the song. For example, Robert Sonkin from the Library of Congress recorded it in Gee's Bend, Alabama in 1941. You can still find that recording at the Library's American Folklife Center.
Frank Warner often sang this song in the 1940s and 1950s. He helped introduce it to the folk music scene in America. Warner recorded it on an Elektra album called American Folk Songs and Ballads in 1952. Soon after, gospel singers in America and skiffle and pop musicians in Britain started singing it too.
Laurie London's Hit Version
Quick facts for kids "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Single by Laurie London with the Geoff Love Orchestra and Chorus | |
| B-side | "The Cradle Rock" |
| Released | 1957 |
| Recorded | 1957 |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Songwriter(s) | Robert Lindon, William Henry |
The song became very popular in 1957. This was thanks to a recording by English singer Laurie London and the Geoff Love Orchestra. It reached number 12 on the UK music charts in late 1957.
The writers of London's song were listed as "Robert Lindon" and "William Henry." These were fake names used by British writers Jack Waller and Ralph Reader. They had used the song in their 1956 musical play called Wild Grows the Heather.
Laurie London's version then became the number one song in the USA in 1958. It was on the Most Played by Jockeys list. It also reached number three on the R&B charts. The record sold so many copies it became a "gold record." It was the most successful song by a British male singer in the USA during the 1950s.
This song was the first, and still is the only, gospel song to reach number one on the main pop music chart in the USA. Other gospel songs came close. "Put Your Hand in the Hand (of the Man)" by Ocean reached number two in 1971. "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers reached number three in 1969.
Other Famous Versions
Many other artists have recorded "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
- In 1953, Marian Anderson sang the song live on TV. About 60 million people watched her perform on The Ford 50th Anniversary Show.
- Mahalia Jackson's version also made it onto the Billboard top 100 singles chart. It reached number 69.
- Other famous singers who recorded it include Kate Smith, Odetta, Jackie DeShannon, Perry Como, and Nina Simone.
- Andy Williams released a version on his 1960 album, The Village of St. Bernadette.
- In 1982, Raffi recorded the song for his album Rise and Shine.
- Pat Boone recorded a version for his 1961 album Great, Great, Great.
- In 1995, Sisters of Glory, a gospel group, included the song on their album Good News in Hard Times. This group featured singers like Thelma Houston and CeCe Peniston.
The melody of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" has also been used in other songs. For example, "Paintball's Coming Home" by Half Man Half Biscuit uses the melody.
