The band had its genesis when long-time Statesmen Quartet member Jake Hess retired from that band on December 7, 1963.[1] Hess wanted to start a new group recognized as "king" of the Southern gospel field and thought the "Imperials" would be a good moniker. After getting the go-ahead from Marion Snider for permission to use the name (Snider had previously operated an Imperial Quartet named after its sponsor Imperial Sugar), he gathered together pianist Henry Slaughter from the Weatherford Quartet,ex-Oak Ridge Boys baritone Gary McSpadden, the Weatherford Quartet's bass singer Armond Morales and Speer Family tenor Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen to join him.[2] Signing with Benson Records subsidiary Skylite, the group had a busy first year releasing 4 albums in 1964.
He Touched Me
Imperials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
(He touched me)
and now I am no longer the same
For He touched me
oh, He touched me
and oh what joy (wonderful joy) that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
Oh since I met this blessed savior
and since He cleansed and made me whole,
oh I will never cease to praise Him,
and shout it while eternity rolls
He touched me,
oh, He touched me
(He touched me)
And oh what joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
The lyrics to Imperials's song He Touched Me express a powerful religious transformation. The song begins with imagery of feeling burdened and guilty. The singer feels trapped and weighed down by the consequences of their actions. However, things change when they feel the touch of Jesus. This moment of contact brings immense joy and a sense of being reborn. The singer is no longer the same person because they have been transformed by this touch. The chorus repeats this sentiment, highlighting the power of Jesus to heal and make one whole.
The second stanza of the song builds on this transformation. The singer describes how they have been changed since meeting Jesus. They feel cleansed and whole, and this experience has inspired them to praise Jesus forever. The lyrics convey a sense of awe and gratitude towards Jesus for this transformation. The final chorus repeats the message of the first, emphasizing the continued joy and transformation that comes from being touched by Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
Shackled by the heavy burden
Weighed down by a heavy burden
'neath a load of guilt and shame
Consumed by guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
Jesus came to my aid
(He touched me)
His touch had a profound effect
and now I am no longer the same
I'm transformed in some way
For He touched me
His touch was significant
oh, He touched me
His touch was a profound blessing
(He touched me)
His touch had a profound effect
and oh what joy (wonderful joy) that floods my soul
I have an overwhelming sense of joy
Something happened and now I know
I've had a life-changing experience
He touched me and made me whole
His touch healed me completely
Oh since I met this blessed savior
Since I met Jesus
and since He cleansed and made me whole,
And since he purified and healed me completely
oh I will never cease to praise Him,
I'll never stop showing my gratitude
and shout it while eternity rolls
I'll praise him throughout eternity
He touched me,
He came to my aid
oh, He touched me
His touch was a profound blessing
(He touched me)
His touch had a profound effect
And oh what joy that floods my soul
I have an overwhelming sense of joy
Something happened and now I know
I've had a life-changing experience
He touched me and made me whole
His touch healed me completely
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Hyde
Greatest gospel quartet ever? Couldn't agree more. This is the essence of gospel music sung by, yes, the best ever.
Gary Evans
The Imperials were one of the very first groups to ever record this classic of Bill and Gloria Gaither. I was only a teenager when I first bought this album and it changed my life forever.
Mary Cage
This is my song that touched me when I got saved. Powerful words!
Doug Lewis
Thank you for sharing this album. I heard the Imperials over 40 years ago, just a boy of about 8 at the time. My parents purchased this album and we played it so much we wore the thing out. I would agree with MusicGrove, to me this is one of the greatest contemporary albums of all time by one of the greatest quartets of all time. It is truly inspirational.
drmjr78
The Imperials also sang back-up for Elvis Presley on his version of this song. It's my dad's favorite song of all the ones Elvis recorded.
bert swan
this was the best bunch of the imperials
garylee joy
This is one of the first songs I heard after coming to Jesus. The next day I remember hearing birds singing, seeing blue skies and green grass. Why? Because I was once spiritually dead but Jesus made me ALIVE!!!
see 2 Corinthians 5:17
aquila5659
I enjoyed this album back then also, but my favorite is the one that preceded it.....the "Then, Now" album
thejoyofmusic Pax2016
Is this album available on cd? So many wonderful songs and wonderful harmonies. Funny though the album cover does sound like the same group.??
thejoyofmusic Pax2016
It isn't the same group. So who is singing "He Touched Me"?