This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day
He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day
He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by IllToast2That
Oh Happy Day Lyrics as written by Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Word Collections Publishing, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Oh happy day) Oh, yeah (Oh happy day) Oh, what a beautiful
Oh happy day (Unintelligible line) Oh happy day) He washed my sins away (Oh happy day)
Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) I know he really washed (My Jesus washed) My sins away (Oh happy day) Yes, he did (Oh happy day)
He lift me up (Oh happy day) Stood me on my feet (Oh happy day) Know what that happens When he got me out of the streets (Oh happy day)
My Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) My Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) I know he washed (My Jesus washed) My sins away (Oh happy day)
Now listen to me (Oh happy day) You can talk about me (Oh happy day) As much as you please (Oh happy day) The more you talk (Oh happy day) I’m gonna bend my knees (Oh happy day)
I’m gonna pray to my Jesus (Oh happy day) To help poor me (Oh happy day) I’m gonna tell him (Oh happy day) Everything is free (Oh happy day) God set me free (Oh happy day) Oh, he really really do (Oh happy day) Darlin’, he washed (Oh happy day) Ah, down that wall (Oh happy day)
If you bend your knees Pray to Jesus Lord, he will help you Get out of that ol’ ghetto I know you really really washed
Lord, I know you washed Jesus really really washed My sins away
Well, have a happy, happy day Oh, happy day Ain’t that a beautiful day Lordy Lordly Lordy (Oh happy day) Lordy Lordy Lordy (Oh happy day) Aint that a beautiful day (Oh happy day) I’m so happy he washed (Oh happy day) God I’m so happy he washed my sins (Oh happy day) I’m so glad he washed my hands (Oh happy day) And freed me from sin (Oh happy day) That man always helped me (Oh happy day) Everything that I ever would (Oh happy day) Ain’t that a beautiful day (Oh happy day) Lord, he really really washed
(Oh happy day) Oh, yeah (Oh happy day) Oh, what a beautiful Oh happy day (Unintelligible line) Oh happy day) He washed my sins away (Oh happy day)
Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) I know he really washed (My Jesus washed) My sins away (Oh happy day) Yes, he did (Oh happy day)
He lift me up (Oh happy day) Stood me on my feet (Oh happy day) Know what that happens When he got me out of the streets (Oh happy day)
My Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) My Jesus washed (My Jesus washed) I know he washed (My Jesus washed) My sins away (Oh happy day)
Now listen to me (Oh happy day) You can talk about me (Oh happy day) As much as you please (Oh happy day) The more you talk (Oh happy day) I’m gonna bend my knees (Oh happy day)
I’m gonna pray to my Jesus (Oh happy day) To help poor me (Oh happy day) I’m gonna tell him (Oh happy day) Everything is free (Oh happy day) God set me free (Oh happy day) Oh, he really really do (Oh happy day) Darlin’, he washed (Oh happy day) Ah, down that wall (Oh happy day)
If you bend your knees Pray to Jesus Lord, he will help you Get out of that ol’ ghetto I know you really really washed Lord, I know you washed Jesus really really washed My sins away
Well, have a happy, happy day Oh, happy day Ain’t that a beautiful day Lordy Lordly Lordy (Oh happy day) Lordy Lordy Lordy (Oh happy day) Aint that a beautiful day (Oh happy day) I’m so happy he washed (Oh happy day) God I’m so happy he washed my sins (Oh happy day) I’m so glad he washed my hands (Oh happy day) And freed me from sin (Oh happy day) That man always helped me (Oh happy day) Everything that I ever would (Oh happy day) Ain’t that a beautiful day (Oh happy day) Lord, he really really washed
It's not a 'happy day." Big Mama is one of my favorite artists of all times. She was disrespected in life (underpaid, not paid, etc) and now supposedly incorrect lyrics are copyrighted. This just cannot be...Above are the CORRECT lyrics!