"His hand in mine" is the twelfth album by Elvis Presley, released in November 1960.

As can be inferred from the title, the album contains songs of a religious nature. It was the first of three gospel albums that Elvis would release. Although he is known and has gone down in history for the fundamental imprint he left in the history of rock (many say he created it, but after 60 years the debate is still ongoing), he fortunately ventured into ballads that highlighted his black voice. And this album is a remarkable example of that.

This session also included two hits like "Surrender" and "Crying in the Chapel" but the first saw the light the year after, and the second in 1965. If you decide to listen to this album, you will find yourself catapulted into another dimension, another century, another world. With Elvis's voice seemingly caressing you gently, and the songs managing, even if just for a moment, to make you feel close to God. Or to some higher entity. Only to then bring you back down and make you realize that today it's difficult to find something that can warm your heart like this record can.

Among the 12 songs, you will find a couple of tracks with a strong rockabilly appeal, which seem to be relatives of some singles from the '50s: namely "Milky White Way" and "Joshua Fit the Battle".

The total duration of the album is 28 minutes. Will you be able to dedicate less than half an hour of your hectic day to listening to this wonder? I really wish you would.

See you next time.

Tracklist

Side A

1) His hand in mine

2) I'm gonna walk dem golden stairs

3) In my father's house

4) Milky white way

5) Known only to him

6) I believe in the man in the sky

Side B

7) Joshua fit the battle

8) He knows just what I need

9) Swing down sweet chariot

10) Mansion over the hilltop

11) If we never meet again

12) Working on the building

Tracklist and Lyrics

01   His Hand in Mine (03:18)

02   I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs (01:52)

03   In My Father's House (02:06)

04   Milky White Way (02:15)

05   Known Only to Him (02:09)

06   I Believe in the Man in the Sky (02:14)

07   Joshua Fit the Battle (02:40)

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Good morning sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Wanna tell you how I come along

I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of Nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho


Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your king of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

They tell me, great God that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn

Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands

Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin' down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

08   He Knows Just What I Need (02:13)

09   Swing Down Sweet Chariot (02:34)

10   Mansion Over the Hilltop (02:57)

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that's silver lined

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold



Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely
I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound
I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

11   If We Never Meet Again (02:00)

12   Working on the Building (01:54)

13   (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me) (03:24)

Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me



Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me

14   It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) (03:57)

(Words & music by Stuart Hamblin)
The chimes of time ring out the news,
Another day is through.
Someone slipped and fell.
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength,
Your courage to renew.
Do not be disheartened,
For I have news for you.

It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.

There is no night for in His light
You'll never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.

It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
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15   I Believe (02:06)

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come
To show the way
I believe, I believe

I believe above a storm the smallest prayer
Can still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,
Or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why, I believe

16   Take My Hand, Precious Lord (03:17)

Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

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