Format 10" 78rpm single Length 3:05 | Genre Gospel blues Label Columbia 14511-D | |
A-side "A Mother's Last Word to Her Daughter" Recorded December 2, 1929; Dallas, TX | ||
"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1929 by Washington Phillips (1880–1954, vocals and zither).
The song consists of several verses and a refrain:
The verses relate to the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den, and his deliverance from it; found in the Book of Daniel at Chapter 6.
Phillips' song may be a variant of a traditional gospel song. "Key to the Kingdom" by Bessie Johnson and the Sanctified Singers (1929, 10" 78rpm single Okeh 8725) consists almost entirely of a similar refrain. "Got a Key to the Kingdom" by Josh White (1935, 10" 78rpm single Melotone 5-11-60 and simultaneous releases) has the same tune and a similar refrain, but very different verses.
Recordings
References
I've Got the Key to the Kingdom Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA