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.

I'm Going Through
The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'I'm Going Through' by these artists:

Bill & Gloria Gaither I'm going back to old Kentucky There to see my Linda…
Bishop G.E. Patterson What up Uce? I be goin' through all kinda shit I can't…
Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation What up Uce? I be goin' through all kinda shit I can't…
Dr. Charles G. Hayes & The Cosmopolitan Warriors Reason Where did you go? You said you wouldn't leave But the…
Dr. Charles Hayes and The Cosmopolitan Warriors I walk up in the spot like I own it Came…
Rev. C. L. Franklin Life can be so hard And there are people who will…
Rev. Clay Evans I bet you wondered how I knew About your plans to…
Rev. Johnny L. 'Hurricane' Jones I bet you wondered how I knew About your plans to…
Rev. Johnny L. Jones And I am telling you I'm not going You're the best…

Rev. Reginald Finley I bet you wondered how I knew About your plans to…
Rev. Reginald Finley Pastor Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. & Bishop Wy I bet you wondered how I knew About your plans to…
Vanessa Bell Armstrong I'm going through I'm going through I'm going through I'm go…
Walter Hawkins and the Family When I left old Kentucky Linda kissed me and she cried I…

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

TRACKS

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Comments from YouTube:

@Stepdave

39w↑1

24yo from the Netherlands here🙌 When I first met Jesus( 1 year ago) I had alot of trouble understanding the bible and living with the holy spirit. But every time I fell over, this song helped me realise that the work that Christ did for me is so much more than a human can ever do in his whole life. And that the hope Jesus gives us is worthy of giving it your all. Baptised and currently stepping the role of street preacher. Amen to our holy lord❤

@mariadocarmogeraldo5109

Amém

@geraldcurran5938

51w

The piano and organ here are The A Team. The buildup to the holy name of Jesus is fantastic. The way the composition builds one step after another brings me to the point of feeling that I am completely wrapped in the arms of our Victorious Lord. It never fails. Hosanna! Oh, how we miss the Hawkins team.

@francecurry43

4y↑2

This is what I call singing sometimes we need a refresher course. We are going through. Thanks for sharing👍💖

@kevinbutler6998

As a kid, on Sunday mornings, this used to be my alarm clock. Get up...wash up...eat breakfast...and get ready for Sunday School. Mom was the Sunday School Superintendent and we are not missing church!! This song brings back so many memories!! Miss you mom...you taught and led by example. Have faith in God regardless of what you are going " through." Glory to God!!!

@chaplaintaylor2327

7y↑7

I have been looking for this song for over a year. I always enjoyed the Edwin Hawkins singers even when My parents couldn't understand the music.

@Ma1nguy

9y↑24

I sure miss this kind of singing, they sang hard and they didn't have all the technology we have today........ Now we got all that hip hop stuff which I can't stand but then I'm old school. When I was in my 20s in the 70s the older people didn't like our kind of music either

@tionicho

13y↑12

Right Now...I know what this truly means...heard this 40 years ago...I started with him and whatever..God has made a way...I am going on through...Halleuah!

@dvlaries

16y↑9

The soloist on this is Margarette Branch. The original album was Pavilion No. 10001, when the group was at its very largest (at least 60 members) and hadn't started dwindling yet, as they seemed to continuously do in early 70s TV appearances.

@lynettebeckles9842

7y↑10

These were the best times for gospel thru the 80's

@Afiplaysmusic

5y↑1

I love the second part of this song because it's so strong and confident. I am going through! Without a doubt. I've started in Jesus and I Am going through.

@johnmelmer8606

5y↑1

no one like the hawkins fam have all their records, tramaine, walter et all, all gone on to glory now

@britishlad5648

7y↑8

An Excellent arrangement...
Pianist, Thelma Thomas of Detroit, MI use to take the house with this Hymn..

@luigig53

15y↑4

Another great victory song! The only way "out" is "through!"

@NoahHam40

13y↑2

This song is a treasure. I love the simplicity and "old timey" feeling that seems to attract the listener. It is also the one song my singers - back in 1993- blew out of the water, which included Charity, Marquetta, Jorel, Takela, Renata, Tara, and the lead...Tessa Baker! Thank you, Edwin, for your magnificent rearranging skills...and PurpleSnowman29 for posting.

@lemgirl329

6y↑2

The first time I heard this song was on Homicide Life on the Streets. I had to find this song, went to iTunes but it had to many versions, so I tried Shazam, found it, asked me if I wanted to download, I said of course and been playing it ever since.

@olelady55

14y↑1

we used to march in on this song our leads sisters joan and judy cuff hearing it makes me start marching

@britishlad5648

2y↑1

Take us through!!!

@britishlad5648

A great arrangement of, "I'm Going Through!!!"

@tyroneepps3018

4y↑1

A 👍 song !

@jaihemingway3680

I love this arrangement, Edwin!!!

@britishlad5648

The Aijalon Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir located, 25th & Hancock in Detroit, MI use to sing this in the late 1970's by Pianist, Thelma Thomas, and Conducted by, Joseph William Hemingway, I

@pluto17dre

15y

YES! its in my new national baptist hymnal!

@theoricle1

8y↑1

PSALMS 56:11-13 IN GOD HAVE I PUT MY TRUST: I WILL NOT BE AFRAID WHAT MAN CAN DO UNTO ME. 12 THY VOWS ARE UPON ME, O GOD: I WILL RENDER PRAISES UNTO THEE. 13 FOR THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM DEATH: WILT NOT THOU DELIVER MY FEET FROM FALLING, THAT I MAY WALK BEFORE GOD IN THE LIGHT OF THE LIVING?.

@theoricle1

8y↑4

1CORINTHIAN 2:9 BUT AS IT IS WRITTEN, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARED, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM. To love him, is to obey him.

@theoricle1

9y↑2

ISAIAH 43:2 WHEN THOU PASSEST THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH THEE: AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW THEE: WHEN THOU WALKEST THROUGH THE FIRE, THOU SHALT NOT BE BURNED; NEITHER SHALL THE FLAME KINDLE UPON THEE. Yes this is a touching song that tells a testimony of the Christians who are going to do the work of JESUS and carry their cross.

@irelandlifetv6827

Thanks Carl I'm not any Religion I have printed out the quote you gave and will use it.

@theoricle1

Religion is not important. but obeying GOD the creater of all things is. Meaning do that which GOD has naturally taught to be right.

@bubblymakamae3839

Amen!!! Hallelujah!!! People should not get wound up in the religion aspect but just seek what saith the Lord. Let God lead and guide our life, and that is all that matters.

@britishlad5648

Great arrangement!!!!
Joe Hemingway, and Thelma Thomas would wear the Church out this arrangement out!!!

@vangoghmatisse1

PURE GOSPEL!!!!

@dvlaries

11y↑3

There were Columbia Record Club pressings of the album - I have one and wish I had more - that do not fade the song down at the end but come to an abrupt and still-loud stop. It's jarring, but that version also allows Branch to really wail her ad-libbed counter points to the last moment, and though it's my most worn copy of the album, it's my most cherished.

@teacherj

dvlaries Wow that's very interesting!! I had no idea that Columbia had released this song also. I had always seen it on Pavilion and Buddha! I would love to get my hands on a Columbia copy!!

@theoricle1

8y↑2

HEBREW 13:5-6 LET YOUR CONVERSATION (meaning. Let your life) BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS (meaning. Wanting someone else's possession) AND BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE: FOR HE HATH SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. 6 SO THAT WE MAY BOLDLY SAY, THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME.

@brandonburrell8517

7y↑1

Amen.

@christhomas5761

8y↑4

Love this..... I know Inez Andrews would have torn this up too.

@klove7365

right

@dvlaries

16y

In wasn't the Hawkins Singers version, but it was so very close - Homicide Life On The Street once used this song to cap an episode. Whatever choir did do it on the show approximated this performance splendidly and I was jumping up and down screaming to suddenly be encountering it. My first copy of this album I played till the spindle hole was worn white. I want this whole album played at my funeral when the time comes. That's going in my will.

@laminage

You should have seen how The Slater reacted when they heard a Gospel Choir Sing on The UK Soap Opera Eastenders. Can you imagine if they sang at Harry & Megan's Wedding.

@britishlad5648

7y↑2

"Classic arrangement..."

@happyorganist

16y

my church use to sing this

@stewbie59

15y

Jesus!

@jddrew1000

15y

I used to have the same CD.

@britishlad5648

Nathaniel Williams l had this when Albums were before CD formats were heard of..

@brandonwashington341

That bass on that organ hurt my feelings

@direfranchement

Strange, overdone arrangement. The best I've ever heard this song sung was by the chorus of black "maids" in the movie "The Long Walk Home". I'd never heard it, but I cried. They weren't a choir, just a group of women, not necessarily knowing each other personally or very well who found themselves in a situation where they had to make a decision to cower or stand with courage, and they stood together.

@hallieharker4384

direfranchement That's the first time I heard it, too. POWERFUL MOMENT there! It's wonderful how God gives us songs in the night, isn't it, to strengthen us and get us through? \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

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