Phillips recorded eighteen songs, all between 1927 and 1929, though only sixteen survived. Some of his songs amount to highly specific and detailed gospel sermons, featuring Phillips' voice self-accompanied by an instrument that sounds like a fretless zither. This instrument, which has been variously identified as a Dolceola, a Celestaphone, two Celestaphones tuned in octaves attached side-by-side, or a Phonoharp (and also is considered by some to be an instrument entirely home-made by Phillips) creates a unique sound on these recordings that makes them immediately recognizable.
Phillips was covered by the Dixie Hummingbirds, an A Capella rendition featured in Vol. 6 of the Mississippi Records "Tape Series", released in January, 2009.
Posthumous fame
Numerous compilations of Washington Phillips' complete recorded work have been released, such as The Key to the Kingdom on Yazoo Records in 2005. His songs have been covered by a variety of artists:
Ry Cooder covered Phillips' "Denomination Blues" on his 1971 album Into the Purple Valley and "Tattler" on his album Paradise and Lunch (1974).
"Denomination Blues" has also been covered by the contemporary Christian groups 2nd Chapter of Acts on their 1975 live album To the Bride with Barry McGuire, and The 77s on their debut album Ping Pong Over the Abyss (1983).
Will Oldham covered Phillips' "I Had a Good Father and Mother" on the Palace Brothers album There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You (1993). Gillian Welch also covered this song on her 2003 album entitled Soul Journey.
Phillips was covered by the Dixie Hummingbirds, an A Capella rendition featured in Vol. 6 of the Mississippi Records "Tape Series", released in January, 2009.
The Be Good Tanyas covered "What are They Doing in Heaven Today" on Hello Love.
Sport Murphy covered Phillips' "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?" on his 2003 Kill Rock Stars album 'Uncle.'
"What Are They Doing in Heaven Today" was used in a scene in the movie Elizabethtown where the main character visits The Survivor Tree in Oklahoma.
Mamie Minch dedicated her song, "Lift Him Up That's All" under the same title of Phillips' song but with different lyrics.
Phish has covered "Paul and Silas in Jail" on 78 occasions. This song became a relatively common part of their live performance from 1990 to 1993, but has been played on occasion since.
Phillips' "I Am Born To Preach the Gospel" features on the soundtrack of Werner Herzog's 2009 film My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?.
Ralph Stanley covered Phillips' "Lift Him Up, That's All" on his 2011 album "A Mother's Prayer".
In 2009, Atlas Sound sampled the Phillip's "Lifted Him Up That's All" for the song "Washington School" on the Logos album.
Phillips' song "Mothers Last Word to Her Son" was featured heavily in the film We Need to Talk About Kevin.
List of recordings
Lift Him Up That's All
Paul and Silas in Jail
Mother's Last Word to Her Son
The Church Needs Good Deacons
Jesus Is My Friend
A Mother's Last Word to Her Daughter
I Had a Good Father and Mother
I Am Born to Preach the Gospel
Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There
Denomination Blues – Part 1
Denomination Blues – Part 2
What Are They Doing in Heaven Today
I've Got the Key to the Kingdom
Train Your Child
You Can't Stop a Tattler – Part 1
You Can't Stop a Tattler – Part 2
What Are They Doing In Heaven Today
Washington Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know boy
But it's my biz to say it and sing about it
Chorus:
What are they doing in heaven today,
Where sin and sorrow are all done away?
Peace abounds like a river, they say.
I'm thinking of friends whom I used to know,
Who lived and suffered in this world below
But they've gone off to heaven, but I want to know
What are they doing there now?
Oh, what are they doing in heaven today,
Where sin and sorrow are all done away?
Peace abounds like a river, they say.
But what are they doing there now?
There's some whose hearts were burdened with care
They paid for their moment to fighting and tears
But they clung to the cross with trembling and fear
But what are they doing there now?
(chorus)
And there's some whose bodies were full of disease
Physicians and doctors couldn't give them much ease
But they suffered 'til death brought a final release
But what are they doing there now?
(chorus)
There's some who were poor and often despised
They looked up to heaven with tear-blinded eyes
While people were heedless and deaf to their cries
But what are they doing there now?
The song "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today" by Washington Phillips is an expression of the singer's curiosity about what activities take place in heaven. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer wonders about the happenings in the afterlife. The chorus asks what activities are going on "where sin and sorrow are all done away," and the suggestion is that in heaven, there is abundant peace.
The second verse speaks of friends of the singer who have already passed on to heaven. The singer wonders about what their afterlife is like, and what they might be doing there. The third and fourth verses focus on people who have passed away with struggles, such as sickness or poverty. The singer ponders whether their pain has been taken away in heaven, and what they might be doing there.
Overall, the lyrics of the song express a deep sense of longing to understand what happens to people after they pass away, and the hope that the afterlife consists of eternal peace and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
What are they doing in heaven today?
The singer is curious about what the people in heaven are doing.
I don't know boy
The singer admits to not knowing the answer to his own question.
But it's my biz to say it and sing about it
Regardless of his lack of knowledge, the singer believes it is his responsibility to sing about the question he poses.
Chorus:
The recurring theme of the song, where the singer ponders what those in heaven are doing.
Where sin and sorrow are all done away?
The singer believes those in heaven are free from sin and sorrow.
Peace abounds like a river, they say.
There is a saying that speaks of a peaceful existence in heaven.
What are they doing there now?
The singer reiterates his curiosity about what the inhabitants of heaven are currently doing.
I'm thinking of friends whom I used to know,
The singer is reminiscing about his friends who have passed away and gone to heaven.
Who lived and suffered in this world below
The singer acknowledges that his friends experienced hardships while living on Earth.
But they've gone off to heaven, but I want to know
Despite his friends being in heaven, the singer is still curious about the activities they partake in.
There's some whose hearts were burdened with care
The singer is aware that there were people whose hearts were heavy with troubles.
They paid for their moment to fighting and tears
These people struggled and cried to overcome their struggles.
But they clung to the cross with trembling and fear
Despite their fears and concerns, these people held onto their faith and found comfort through it.
There's some who were poor and often despised
The singer knows there were individuals who were neglected and oftentimes looked down upon due to their poverty.
They looked up to heaven with tear-blinded eyes
Despite their struggles, these individuals maintained their faith and looked towards the heavens for guidance.
While people were heedless and deaf to their cries
The singer acknowledges that those around these individuals were ignorant and did not pay attention to their struggles.
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ThiagoConsentini
What are they doing in heaven today?
I don't know boy
But it's my biz to say it and sing about it
Chorus:
What are they doing in heaven today,
Where sin and sorrow are all done away?
Peace abounds like a river, they say.
What are they doing there now?
I'm thinking of friends whom I used to know,
Who lived and suffered in this world below
But they've gone off to heaven, but I want to know
What are they doing there now?
Oh, what are they doing in heaven today,
Where sin and sorrow are all done away?
Peace abounds like a river, they say.
But what are they doing there now?
There's some whose hearts were burdened with care
They paid for their moment to fighting and tears
But they clung to the cross with trembling and fear
But what are they doing there now?
(chorus)
And there's some whose bodies were full of disease
Physicians and doctors couldn't give them much ease
But they suffered 'til death brought a final release
But what are they doing there now?
(chorus)
There's some who were poor and often despised
They looked up to heaven with tear-blinded eyes
While people were heedless and deaf to their cries
But what are they doing there now?
@maryphillips9797
This is the music of my husband's cousin. I just cannot get enough of listening to this melodious music. by mp
@JonBrou
A rare, God gifted musician. Thanks for sharing this.
@damianocaccinelli
This song is 88, I'm 22 and i love it
@horiapopescu1
This song makes me thing about so many things...firstly,makes me think of all the innocent people that die just when they thought nothing could happen...people who are happy with their lives and who the Good Lord took them to a better life...it's such a beautiful song and Washington has such a great voice...May Heaven open it's doors to all of you!
@jeremyreagan9085
I love this music. Christ loved him too.
@doomslang
To be fair to all other songs...this is easily the best piece of music ever recorded anywhere in the world ever for all time.
@petarzivojinovic3976
you said it, brother.
@skylar369
This song is so beautiful. It's helping me grieve the passing of a friend.
@Quodge
This has been my xmas song for a few years now.. MerryXmas ppl
@Aldovidalalvial
I appreciate that Mogway has shown me this beautiful song