Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet.
Read Full Bio ↴Mighty Clouds of Joy is an American traditional gospel music quartet.

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

It Was You
Mighty Clouds Of Joy Lyrics

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Bad dreams
Been sleeping in your head
Those old dark clouds
Been hanging around your head
But all your hard times
Will vanish in the wind
When the mighty clouds of joy
Come rolling in

Ohhhh, Holy Jesus
Let your love seize us
Oh, let us find sweet peace within
Hallelujah!
Happiness begins,
When the mighty clouds of joy
Come rolling in.
Those old storm clouds
Are slowly drifting by
And those old raindrops
Are fading from your eyes
And oh, Mr. Sun,
Gonna shine on us again
When the mighty clouds of joy
Come rolling in
Ohhhh, Holy Jesus
Let your love seize us
Oh, let us find sweet peace within
Hallelujah!
Happiness begins,
When the mighty clouds of joy
Come rolling in
Holy Jesus
Won't you let your love seize us
Let us find sweet peace within
Hallelujah!

Happiness begins,
When the mighty clouds of joy
Come rolling in

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mighty Clouds Of Joy's song "It Was You" are about finding hope and joy in difficult times. The first verse talks about bad dreams and dark clouds hanging over one's head, but the second verse offers hope that these hard times will pass when the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Oh, Holy Jesus, let your love seize us" and emphasizes that happiness begins when the clouds of joy come rolling in. The final verse echoes this sentiment, asking Jesus to let his love seize us and bring us sweet peace.

The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a call for faith and redemption in trying times, with the "mighty clouds of joy" representing a spiritual force that brings joy and hope to those who believe. The repetition of the phrase "Oh, Holy Jesus, let your love seize us" reinforces this idea and suggests that faith and devotion are needed to find happiness and peace.

Overall, the lyrics of "It Was You" are a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and hope in difficult times. The song's message is universal and timeless, speaking to the struggles and challenges that we all face in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Bad dreams
You have been having nightmares

Been sleeping in your head
Those nightmares have been affecting your thoughts even while you sleep

Those old dark clouds
You have been going through tough times, symbolized by dark clouds

Been hanging around your head
Those tough times just seem to be lingering and not going away

But all your hard times
Despite all the challenges you have faced

Will vanish in the wind
They will soon be gone

When the mighty clouds of joy
When things start to look up and joy enters your life

Come rolling in
When these good times finally arrive

Ohhhh, Holy Jesus
A plea to Jesus

Let your love seize us
To ask for the love of Jesus to take hold of and help them

Oh, let us find sweet peace within
Request for inner peace to be found