Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American g… Read Full Bio ↴Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He was one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69), which was included on the Songs of the Century list. The Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)".
At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
At the age of seven Hawkins was already the keyboardist to accompany the family's gospel choir. Together with Betty Watson, he was the co-founder of the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ, which included almost fifty members. This ensemble recorded its first album Let Us Go into the House of the Lord at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California privately (on the Century 70 custom label), hoping to sell 500 copies. "Oh Happy Day" was just one of the eight songs on the album. (The soloists in the album were Elaine Kelly, Margarette Branch, Dorothy Combs Morrison, Tramaine Davis (Hawkins), Reuben Franklin, Donald Cashmere, Betty Watson, and Ruth Lyons.)
When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single (on the newly created Pavilion label distributed by Buddah) rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. No. 4, UK No. 2, No. 2 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 1 on the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it. Hawkins' arrangement of the song was eventually covered by The Four Seasons on their 1970 album Half & Half.
Their second Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts was the 1970 Melanie single "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," on which the label listed the performers as Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers. The song peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. In the 1992 movie Leap of Faith, Hawkins is the choir master for the gospel songs.
Hawkins died on January 15, 2018, at the age of 74.
Footprints Of Jesus
The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Footprints Of Jesus' by these artists:
Acapeldridge Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, Come, follow Me! …
Mark Trammell Quartet Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, "Come, follow me!…
Michael L. Ross They led Him to Bethany that's where He stayed They led…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Edwin Hawkins Singers:
Happy day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Jesus Jesus lover of my soul Let me to Thy bosom fly While…
Jesus, Lover of My Soul Jesus, Lover of my soul Jesus, I will never let you…
Lay Down Lay down, lay down, let it all down Let your white…Lord Don't Move That Mountain Now Lord don't move my mountain But give me the strength…
O Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
O-o-h Child Ooh child Things are gonna get easier Ooh child Things'll ge…
Oh Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Ooh Child Ooh child Things are gonna get easier Ooh child Things'll ge…Precious Memories Precious memories, How they linger How they ever flood my…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@jmorgan6149
Yes lawd..
.this is my song..this classy and smooth arrangement is why Im a fan of Edwin Hawkins
@msnat61
The classic photos, those voices, and sound of that PIANO that caught my ear at age 8 is priceless! ❤️Now for me when I listen to The Edwin Hawkins Singers THIS is CHRISTMAS all year! Thanks for posting and Blessings 🎄❤️🎄
@caroldharris
MsNat I will have to try to find Edwin Hawkins singing this Christmas I don’t never heard this.
I too listened as young kid to Edwin Hawkins oh happy day that song transformed my life!
these Hawkins brothers will be Miss always!
@msnat61
Carol D Harris Hello! I never tire of speaking of my First Inspiration of Contemporary Gospel Music EDWIN HAWKINS! It is also Tribute to my wonderful Parents of whom used to attend the C.O.G.I.C. Youth Congresses of which was why the album LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD was recorded. (It was to help finance the Northern California State Youth Choir’s trip that year). Mom & Dad purchased this album and noticed my efforts to learn O HAPPY DAY as a child. Oh and for clarification I was saying CHRISTMAS for me is whenever I listen to Hawkins Music, not the song “This Christmas.” Sorry for the confusion! Trevon did share a beautiful Christmas Carol The Edwin Hawkins Singers performed “White Christmas” with Tramaine on lead. Blessings ❤️
@woodypaq
Wonderful wonderful rendition me that bass tickling up and down that fret grabbed my attention. Very soulful.
@agarcon
Simply amazing, and voice of Elaine Kelly 💯
@jmorgan6149
I think thats Jeannie King
@agarcon
Yea, King for sure.
In the first picture of woman with mic I thought would be Elaine.. on 2nd thought that is Ruth Lyons.
@anthonyholley2796
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT AND THE FINEST AT IT BEST!!!!!
@weslee5621
BEAUTIFUL!!! Norma Jean King on lead vocals sounds so wonderful. The uptempo version of this song is just as awesome too!