Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1952, he made his way to Nashville at a time when the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. Before long, Cramer would become one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, The Browns, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson and the Everly Brothers, and many others. It is Cramer's piano that is heard, for example, on Presley's first national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel."
However, Cramer remained a virtual unknown to anyone but music industry insiders until he recorded a 45 rpm single in 1960 called "Last Date." An instrumental, the music exhibited a relatively new concept for piano playing known as the "slip note" style. The record went to Number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. By the mid-1960s, Cramer had become a respected performer, making numerous record albums and touring with guitar maestro Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph.
Floyd Cramer died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 64 and was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in the Nashville suburb of Madison, Tennessee.
In 2003, he was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee offers the "Floyd Cramer Competitive Scholarship."
Oh Happy Day
Floyd Cramer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day
He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
The song "Oh Happy Day" by Floyd Cramer is a gospel-inspired song that celebrates the day Jesus washed away the singer's sins. The song is a joyful expression of gratitude for salvation and the transformative power of faith. The repetition of the phrase "oh happy day" emphasizes the singer's elation and the significance of the experience.
The lyrics also express the impact Jesus had on the singer's life. Jesus taught the singer how to "watch, fight, and pray" and to live with joy every day. The singer's newfound sense of purpose and optimism are evident in the upbeat melody and the celebratory tone of the song.
Overall, "Oh Happy Day" is a simple but powerful expression of faith and redemption. It acknowledges the struggles and hardships of life while celebrating the hope and joy found in faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh happy day
A joyous moment in one's life that brings happiness and delight.
Oh happy day
A repeating phrase that emphasizes the elation and ecstasy experienced in the happy moment.
When Jesus washed
The moment in time when Jesus washed away the sins and impurities of the individual.
When Jesus washed
A repeating phrase that places emphasis on the momentous occasion of Jesus washing away one's sins.
When Jesus washed
An additional emphasis on the cleansing power of Jesus's washing.
He washed my sins away
Jesus's cleansing act of ridding an individual of their sins and allowing for spiritual purity.
Oh happy day
After the washing away of sins, the individual is overcome with joy and happiness.
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
Teaching and guidance from Jesus on how to be vigilant, resilient, and spiritually connected through prayer.
And live rejoicing every, everyday
The result of Jesus's teachings is a life filled with continual joy, happiness, and celebration of God's love and grace.
Oh happy day
A final reinforcing exclamation of the happy moment that Jesus has brought to the individual.
Oh happy day
A repeating phrase that emphasizes the continued presence of happiness and joy in the individual's life.
Oh happy day
A final celebratory exclamation of the joyous occasion and its ongoing effects on the individual's life.
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind