Mighty Clouds of Joy was formed in 1954 and started out in a tradition-based style. Eventually they added soul, R&B, and rock flourishes into their musical mix (one of their early hits was produced by Gamble and Huff) without diluting the essential religious essence of their material. The long-lived group flourished throughout the rest of the 20th century, scoring numerous Grammy Awards and nominations, as well as several hit albums along the way.
Based in Los Angeles, California, the original group members include Joe Ligon (d. 2016), Johnny Martin (d. 1987), Ermant Franklin Jr., Artis Turnbough (d. 1999), Elmo Franklin (d. 2008), Richard Wallace, Leon Polk and David Walker (who also recorded several tracks with Link Wray under the name Bunker Hill).
Also performed as: The Mighty Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joe Ligon & the Mighty Clouds of Joy
Hymn
Mighty Clouds Of Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That came in through the pretty window picture.
I visited some houses where they said that You were living
And they talked a lot about You
And they spoke about Your giving.
They passed a basket with some envelopes;
I just had time to write a note
Passing conversations where they mentioned Your existence
And the fact that You had been replaced by Your assistants.
The discussion was theology,
And when they smiled and turned to me
All that I could say was "I believe in You."
I visited Your house again on Christmas or Thanksgiving
And a balded man said You were dead,
But the house would go on living.
He recited poetry and as he saw me stand to leave
He shook his head and said I'd never find You.
My mother used to dress me up,
And while my dad was sleeping
We would walk down to Your house without speaking.
The lyrics to Mighty Clouds of Joy's song "Hymn" are introspective and reflective. The first stanza talks about the singer reading the Bible on a bright Sunday morning, illuminated by colorful light streaming in through a pretty window picture. The second stanza is about the singer visiting various houses where others claimed that God was living. They spoke about God's giving, and passed around a basket with envelopes for donations. The singer only had time to write a simple note stating "I believe in You." The third stanza describes passing conversations where others mentioned God's existence and how He had been replaced by His assistants. The singer could only respond with the same simple phrase, "I believe in You."
The fourth and final stanza of the song is somewhat darker as the singer visits God's house on either Christmas or Thanksgiving, and is told by a bald man that God is dead. The man recites poetry, and as the singer stands to leave, he shakes his head and declares that the singer will never find Him. The song ends with a nostalgic moment as the singer remembers his mother dressing him up, and the two of them walking quietly down to God's house while his father slept.
The song seems to be commenting on the various ways in which people claim to know God, and how complicated theological discussions and debates can become. Despite all the chatter and the differing views, the singer maintains a simple belief in God. The final stanza could be interpreted in several ways, but there is a sense of sadness and loss as the bald man declares God dead and the singer is unable to find Him. The nostalgic memory of visiting God's house with his mother suggests a desire for a more innocent and simpler faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday morning, very bright, I read Your book by colored light
On a beautiful Sunday morning, I read Your book illuminated with colorful light that shone through the beautiful window picture.
I visited some houses where they said that You were living And they talked a lot about You And they spoke about Your giving. They passed a basket with some envelopes; I just had time to write a note And all it said was 'I believe in You.'
I went to some places where people said You lived, and they spoke at length about Your generosity. They passed a basket around for donations, and I quickly scribbled a note that said, 'I have faith in You.'
Passing conversations where they mentioned Your existence And the fact that You had been replaced by Your assistants. The discussion was theology, And when they smiled and turned to me All that I could say was 'I believe in You.'
I overheard people discussing Your existence, mentioning how others have taken Your place. The conversation was about the study of religious beliefs, and when they looked at me, all I was able to say was 'I believe in You.'
I visited Your house again on Christmas or Thanksgiving And a balded man said You were dead, But the house would go on living. He recited poetry and as he saw me stand to leave He shook his head and said I'd never find You.
I went to Your house once again during a holiday, where I was told by a bald man that You had passed away. However, he thought that the house would continue to stand in Your memory. He read some poetry before I left, and as I stood up, he shook his head and said I would never find You.
My mother used to dress me up, And while my dad was sleeping We would walk down to Your house without speaking.
My mother used to dress me in my best clothes, and while my father was sleeping, we would walk silently to Your house.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES MASON, KAREN GOLD, NOEL PAUL STOOKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marymckinney933
Give me that old time religion 🙏
@louiswilkes9809
CAN'T NOBODY DO IT LIKE JESUS
@jenniferdixon42
I thank God for making me cancer free. Jesus surely can fix it for you.
@YvonneBedford-mb2lp
Lord have mercy on my soul he will fix it .
@MikeRayVlogs
Just met the guy on the 1st verse 🙏
@anbs1682
🙏 Amen
@RodneyKi
The lord is my Shepard
@RodneyKi
Thank you lor
@joshua4709
Jesus can fix it for eternity
@robbieprothro7032
Jesus will fix it. I try Him for myself.