Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Infobox Single
Name = Just a Closer Walk With Thee


Artist = Selah Jubilee Singers
from Album =
A-side = A Walking In The Light Of God
Released = 1941
Format = 45 rpm
Recorded = October 8, 1941
Genre = Gospel
Label = Decca 7872
Length = 3:19
Writer = Unknown
Producer =

"Just a Closer Walk With Thee" is one of the best-known gospel songs in the world.

History

It was probably the favorite southern gospel song of the twentieth century and it is written by D.Gillis. . [Petersen, William J. "The Complete Book of Hymns", Tyndale House Publishers , Inc. (2006), page 70 - ISBN 1414309333] 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.

The first known recording was by the Selah Jubilee Singers on 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. [Dixon, Robert M. W. "Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943", Oxford University Press (1997), page 786 - ISBN 0198162391] Rosetta Tharpe also recorded the song on December 2, 1941 (Decca 8594), with Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra. [Dixon, Robert M. W. "Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943", page 912] In 1956 Elvis Presley set sales records with it on a 45 rpm single. An unreleased home recording also exists of Presley performing the song, [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As0-5R6bsM0 Just a Closer Walk With Thee] Elvis unreleased homerecording] made in Waco, Texas on May 27, 1958. [Neale, David. "Roots of Elvis", iUniverse, page 74 - ISBN 0595295053] Presley's studio version can be heard on "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" (2000) (Czech CD on Memory label). [ [http://musicmoz.org/Bands_and_Artists/P/Presley,_Elvis/Discography/Just_A_Closer_Walk_With_Thee/ Elvis Presley: Just A Closer Walk With Thee] ] Tennessee Ernie Ford made the charts with it in the late 1950s. By the end of the 1970s, 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".

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.

Notable cover versions

"Just a Closer Walk With Thee" has been covered by a number of different singers and groups. [ [http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=17:806445 All Music: Song List] ] A partial list includes:

* George Lewis (1943) [ [http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fpfixqwhld0e George Lewis: Echos of New Orleans, Vol. 1] ]
* Sallie Martin Singers (mid-1940s)
* Red Foley (1950)
* Pat Boone (1952)
* Henry "Red" Allen (1956)
* Tennessee Ernie Ford (1957)
* Louis Armstrong (1959)
* Peter Fountain (1959)
* Patsy Cline (1960)
* Jimmie Rodgers (1960)
* Roy Acuff (1962)
* Chet Atkins (1962)
* Little Richard (1964)
* The Seekers (1965)
* Ella Fitzgerald (1967)
* Patti Page (1967)
* Johnny Paycheck (1967)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1968)
* Joan Baez (1969)
* Bob Dylan (1969), (duet with Johnny Cash) [ [http://www.bobdylanroots.com/just.html Bob Dylan Roots] ]
* Tammy Wynette (1969)

* Merle Haggard (1971)
* Loretta Lynn (1972)
* Albertine Walker (1975)
* Lawrence Welk (1978)
* The Oak Ridge Boys (1987)
* Jim Nabors (1989)
* Van Morrison (1991)
* Crystal Gayle (1996)
* Gatlin Brothers (1996)
* Willie Nelson (1996)
* Sarah Harmer (1999)
* Anne Murray (1999)
* George Jones (2003)
* Margo Smith (2005)
* Charley Pride (2006)
* Randy Travis (2006)
* Charlie Daniels (2007)
* The Canadian Brass (1992)

Footnotes