Clay was born in rural Bolivar County, Mississippi to a musical family, who moved in 1953 to Muncie, Indiana. After singing with local gospel group, the Voices of Hope, he returned to Mississippi to sing with the Christian Travelers, before settling in Chicago in 1957. There, he joined a series of gospel vocal groups including the Golden Jubilaires, the Famous Blue Jay Singers, the Holy Wonders, and the Pilgrim Harmonizers, before making his first solo secular recordings in 1962. They were unissued, and Clay joined the Gospel Songbirds, who recorded in Nashville in 1964 and who also included Maurice Dollison who sang R&B under the name Cash McCall, and then the Sensational Nightingales.
In 1965 Clay signed with One-derful! Records in Chicago, to make secular recordings. After releasing a series of gospel-tinged soul records, his first hit came in 1967 with "That's How It Is (When You're In Love)", which reached # 34 on the US Billboard R&B chart, followed by "A Lasting Love" (# 48 R&B). In 1968 the record company folded and his contract was bought by Atlantic Records, who launched their subsidiary Cotillion label with Clay's version of the Sir Douglas Quintet hit, "She's About A Mover", produced at the FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. The record became Clay's biggest pop hit, reaching # 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 (# 47 R&B). However, follow-ups on Cotillion, including "Hard Working Woman" produced by Syl Johnson, and "Is It Over?" produced by Willie Mitchell in Memphis, were less successful.
Clay moved to Mitchell's Hi Records in 1971, and made many of his best known soul blues records for the label. His biggest hit came in late 1972 with "Trying To Live My Life Without You," a # 102 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, # 70 on Cash Box, and # 24 R&B, which he followed up with "If I Could Reach Out". "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You" was later covered by Bob Seger, whose version made # 5 on the pop chart in 1981. After several more Hi singles and the album I Can't Take It, Clay moved to Kayvette Records, where he had his last national hit single in 1977, "All Because Of Your Love" (# 44 R&B). He later recorded for the Elka and Rounder labels, as well as his own Echo Records for whom he recorded the original version of "The Only Way Is Up" in 1980.
He remained a popular live act in Europe and Japan, as well as the US, and recorded three live albums, Soul Man: Live in Japan, Otis Clay Live(also in Japan on Victor VDP-5111) and Respect Yourself, recorded live at the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland. In the 1990s he also recorded two soul albums for Bullseye Blues: I'll Treat You Right and the Willie Mitchell-produced This Time Around. In 2007, he recorded the gospel album Walk a Mile in My Shoes.
He was a nominee for a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. As a resident of Chicago's West Side, he was actively involved in community-based economic and cultural initiatives, including the development of The Harold Washington Cultural Center. On August 11, 2012 he was one of several acts that performed at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Summer Concerts in New York City. He was backed by the band Platinum. Clay was joined on stage for the finale by William Bell and Teenie Hodges. Clay was one of the 2013 inductees to the Blues Hall of Fame. In 2015 Otis published with Billy Price the album This Time For Real.
He died of a heart attack on January 8, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 73.
When the Gates Swing Open
Otis Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toiling through the storm and rain,
Watching and patiently waiting,
Until the Savior comes again.
[Chorus]
I am coming, Lord, trusting in thy word,
Keep me from the paths of sin, hide me in thy love,
When the gates swing open, let me in.
Keep me fit for service,
Keep me up on every hand,
I've stood many a trial,
Some day I will understand.
[Chorus]
Teach me how to love my neighbor,
Teach me how to treat my friend,
Fill me with the Holy Spirit,
Keep me humble to the end.
[Chorus]
Tired of this load I'm carryin',
Tired of this world of sin,
Angels in Heaven beckon,
My weary soul to come in.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Otis Clay's song "When the Gates Swing Open" express the toil and struggle of human life on earth while patiently waiting for the Savior to come again. The song reflects on the resilience of the human spirit, asking for strength to be kept "fit for service" and "up on every hand" despite trials and tribulations. The chorus expresses a strong desire for salvation and a place in heaven when the gates open, asking to be kept from the paths of sin and to be hidden in God's love. The last stanza expresses the weariness of carrying the weight of the world's sin and the longing to be welcomed into heaven by the angels.
The song's lyrics speak to the deep-seated desire for redemption and salvation that many religious people hold, particularly in times of hardship. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this desire for spiritual fulfillment, while the verses reflect on the struggle of daily life on earth. The song is a testimony to the power of faith in persevering through hard times, as well as a statement of hope for something better to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Through this world we keep on toiling,
We continue to struggle through this life and its challenges,
Toiling through the storm and rain,
Even through the most difficult times,
Watching and patiently waiting,
We remain observant and enduring as we wait,
Until the Savior comes again.
Until the Lord returns to save us.
I am coming, Lord, trusting in thy word,
I am ready to come to you, Lord, and trust in what you have promised,
Keep me from the paths of sin, hide me in thy love,
Protect me from sinful ways and keep me safeguarded in your love,
Hide me in thy love, write my name above,
Keep me protected in your love, and include me among the saved,
When the gates swing open, let me in.
When the doors of heaven open, welcome me in.
Keep me fit for service,
Enable me to remain capable of serving you,
Keep me up on every hand,
Keep me supported and sustained in every situation,
I've stood many a trial,
I have been faced with many tests and challenges,
Some day I will understand.
Eventually, I will comprehend the reasons behind my troubles.
Teach me how to love my neighbor,
Instruct me how to show love and compassion toward my fellow humans,
Teach me how to treat my friend,
Show me how to behave toward those close to me,
Fill me with the Holy Spirit,
Empower me with your divine spirit,
Keep me humble to the end.
Help me remain modest and virtuous until my last days.
Tired of this load I'm carryin',
I am weary of the burdens I must bear,
Tired of this world of sin,
I am exhausted by the pervasiveness of evil in this world,
Angels in Heaven beckon,
Angels in heaven call out to me,
My weary soul to come in.
To bring my tired spirit into paradise.
When the gates swing open, let me in.
Open the doors of heaven and welcome me inside.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STANLEY J LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beautyglitzbyashanti2862
My dad was the base singer in this song and Otis was my uncle ❤️ may they both rest in heaven I come to this song all the time just to hear my dads voice one more time I miss him so much
@raychellecampbell364
OH WOW!! DO YOU SING??
@michellethomas7189
What a blessing to be able to hear your dad, and uncle singing this happen to be one of my favorite songs.
@ericedmond4659
This song is a very soul touching and we thank god for giving mr.otis the voice to spread the love of this song .💖💖💖💖
@angelface7603
I can sing but I just don’t and yes I love these songs also I miss them
@TheJosie59
Will someone please post the words to this song 🙏🏽. I love it but don’t know all of the words
@carlettaharris3344
My mom passed away on Mother's day this year this is the song she want to be played at her service as I sit here and listen to it I can't help but to cry. Have a Bless day everyone 😢
@ladyrose6101
❤️❤️❤️
@ladyrose6101
So 4 your loss
@carlettaharris3344
@@ladyrose6101 thank you