In March of 1965, Dr. C.J. Johnson recorded an original song, “I Want to Go… Read Full Bio ↴In March of 1965, Dr. C.J. Johnson recorded an original song, “I Want to Go Where Jesus Is,” for Savoy Records. Sung a cappella and with thunderous enthusiasm by a jubilant congregation, the sound was so raw and primitive that one might have assumed it was recorded forty years prior by Alan Lomax and came straight from the Library of Congress archives. The composition itself sounded as if it was from the pages of Kentucky Harmony. But sure enough, it was recorded at the same time as other Savoy gospel hits of the day, by artists such as Alex Bradford, the Caravans, the Roberta Martin Singers and James Cleveland.

A succession of singles and albums established Dr. C.J. Johnson as one of the country’s foremost hymnologists. His recordings were at once anachronistic and refreshing at a time when gospel music focused squarely on hard-singing leads and heavy instrumental backing. Dr. Johnson’s commitment to the old time sound – straight congregational singing with occasional slaps of the tambourine – earned him an invitation to sing at the White House on three separate occasions.

Take Hold Of My Hand
C.J. Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have you ever fell in love, without even a single hug,
have you ever thought about something so strange
Have you ever had a day when you walked along and said,
Feels like you found yourself a million-dollar bill
Darling don't you understand,
Woman I want to be your man
Baby just you and me
Yeah darling can't you see

Woman won't you hold my hand
Have you ever had a time, when you walked along in life
Felt like everything was gonna be alight
Have you ever had a place, where your heart wants to stay
And you never wanna go back where you came from
Darling don't you understand,
Woman I want to be your man
Baby just you and me
Yeah darling can't you see
Woman won't you hold my hand

Have you ever fell in love, without even a single hug,
Feels like you found yourself a million-dollar bill

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to C.J. Johnson's song Take Hold Of My Hand describe the feeling of falling in love without physical contact and finding joy in the simple things in life. The singer asks if the listener has ever experienced something so strange, indicating that although falling in love without physical touch may seem unconventional, it is still a genuine experience. Walking through life, the singer suggests that there are moments where everything feels right and perfect, and he asks the woman he's singing to if she can sense that too. He expresses his desire to be with her and only her, and asks her to hold his hand, symbolizing commitment and unity.

Overall, the lyrics of the song express a deep longing for love and companionship, and they capture the feeling of finding joy in the small things in life. The message of the song is not about grand romantic gestures, but rather about the simple act of holding hands and being connected to another person. The singer's vulnerability in expressing his desire for love and connection is what makes the song relatable and endearing.

Line by Line Meaning

Have you ever fell in love, without even a single hug,
Have you ever experienced the feeling of love without any physical contact or affection?

Have you ever thought about something so strange
Have you ever contemplated something that felt unusual or inexplicable?

Have you ever had a day when you walked along and said,
Have you ever had a moment where you felt content with life and yourself?

Feels like you found yourself a million-dollar bill
This moment felt like a valuable discovery that brings happiness and satisfaction.

Darling don't you understand,
A term of endearment and a plea to the person to comprehend.

Woman I want to be your man
A statement of desire and commitment to a romantic relationship.

Baby just you and me
A desire for exclusivity and an intimate connection between two people.

Yeah darling can't you see
An urge for the person to recognize and acknowledge those feelings.

Woman won't you hold my hand
A request for physical contact and connection between two people.

Have you ever had a time, when you walked along in life
Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where you felt content and satisfied?

Felt like everything was gonna be alight
This moment brought a feeling of hope or optimism about the future.

Have you ever had a place, where your heart wants to stay
Have you ever found a place or situation that feels so heartwarming and satisfying that you never want to leave?

And you never wanna go back where you came from
The desire to stay in this moment and to never return to a previous state.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: GLENROY SAMUEL WASHINGTON, ROWEN JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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