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Oh Happy Day

Music by Edwin Hawkins

Originally Performed by Edwin Hawkins Singers

"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of an 18th-century hymn. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany and the Netherlands and No. 2 on both the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart. It has since become a gospel music standard.

The recording is notable for the muted piano, drum and bass backing and the dominant use of the left-hand stereo channel which features the performance of lead singer, Dorothy Combs Morrison. Notable also for clean sound given powerful ensemble captured by modest equipment, the recording was made at Hawkins' church, the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California

    Release Date: 1967
Awards
1969 - Grammy Winner - Best Soul Gospel Performance


Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


Alexander L'Estrange : The Gospel Train : SAB : Songbook : 9780571521913 : 12-0571521916

Alexander L'Estrange : The Gospel Train

Gospel music is a vibrant fusion of African folk music and European hymns. Rooted in the spiritual (the creation of African-Americans in the 19th century), the joy of gospel music has had a profound influence on 20th century 'pop' music. The Gospel Train is a medley of three best-loved gospel songs that would be perfect as a concert opener or encore. The laid-back swing of 'Go Down, Moses' is contrasted by 'Oh Happy Day!' (used in the Whoopi Goldberg film Sister Act) and concludes with the unstoppable finale 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. The spiritual 'Standing in the Need of Prayer' is a simple meditative melody with a pleasing, repetitive chord sequence.

Songlist: Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Go Down Moses, Oh Happy Day, Standing In The Need Of Prayer

More details
Voicing: SAB | 40730b | Songbook | $5.50


Alexander L'Estrange : The Gospel Train : SA : Songbook : 9780571523665 : 12-0571523668

Alexander L'Estrange : The Gospel Train

Gospel music is a vibrant fusion of African folk music and European hymns. Rooted in the spiritual (the creation of African-Americans in the 19th century), the joy of gospel music has had a profound influence on 20th century 'pop' music. The Gospel Train is a medley of three best-loved gospel songs that would be perfect as a concert opener or encore. The laid-back swing of 'Go Down, Moses' is contrasted by 'Oh Happy Day!' (used in the Whoopi Goldberg film Sister Act) and concludes with the unstoppable finale 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. The spiritual 'Standing in the Need of Prayer' is a simple meditative melody with a pleasing, repetitive chord sequence. If you are looking for straightforward and rewarding repertoire for your beginner choir, then you need look no further than Choral Basics the perfect series for singers of all ages. The simple 3-part choral arrangements for soprano, alto and a combined part for men's voices make the series perfect for choirs with a dearth of males or whose male singers have unstable or changing voices. The rich array of repertoire is bound to be a hit with younger singers and the technical abilities of choirs at this level have been taken into consideration. Straightforward and idiomatic piano accompaniments have been included and are designed to support the vocal lines, without putting pressure on staff with less developed keyboard skills.

Songlist: Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Go Down Moses, Oh Happy Day, Standing In The Need Of Prayer

More details
Voicing: SA | 40738b | Songbook | $5.50


Perpetuum Jazzile : Vocal Ecstasy : SATB : Songbook : 884088964504 : 1540000435 : 00124192

Perpetuum Jazzile : Vocal Ecstasy

From the large Slovenian pop choir Perpetuum Jazzile, best known for their cover of Toto's Africa (with over 19 million YouTube views), this collection of top hits will allow pop, show and concert choirs everywhere to recreate this amazing sound! Several songs have vocal percussion.

Songlist: Joyful, Joyful, Oh Happy Day, Africa, September, Boogie Wonderland, Just The Way You Are, Rosanna, True Colors, In The Stone

More details
Voicing: SATB | 4470b | Songbook | $8.95 | A Cappella


Various : Sister Act 2 : Solo : Songbook : 073999124972 : 0793531608 : 00312497

Various : Sister Act 2

33 songs from the hit movie with Whoopi Goldberg. Includes: Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Dancing in the Street - His Eye Is on the Sparrow - Ode to Joy - What Have You Done for Me Lately - and more.

Songlist: A Deeper Love, Joyful, Joyful, Pay Attention, What Have You Done For Me Lately, Get Up Offa That Thing, Love Child, Devil With The Blue Dress, Shot Gun, Nowhere To Run, Can't Turn You Loose, Never Should've Let You Go, Oh Happy Day, Wandering Eyes, O.P.P., Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Ode To Joy, Bad Girls, Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today), We Are Family, Dancing In The Street, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, The Hustle, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), I Will Follow Him (I Will Follow You), Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, Le Freak, Mr. Big Stuff, My Guy, Please Mr. Postman, Proud Mary, and more

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20212b | Songbook | $21.95 ON SALE $19.95 | PVG


Edwin Hawkins Singers : <span style="color:red;">Oh Happy Day</span>: The Best of : 1 CD : 886972437729 : 4A724377

Edwin Hawkins Singers : Oh Happy Day: The Best of    Out of Print

Edwin Hawkins (born 18 August 1943, Oakland, California) is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir leader, composer and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (and the Edwin Hawkins Singers) are best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968-69), which was included on the Songs of the Century list. 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 rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. #4 and UK #2 in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it.

Songlist: Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord, Pray For Peace, Oh Happy Day, Joy, Joy, Give Me A Star, I Shall Be Free, To My Father's House, Someday, Jesus, Lover Of My Soul, Ooh Child, Precious Memories, Late In The Evening, A Long Way To Go, Blowin' In The Wind, I'm Going Through

More details
2260c | 1 CD | $6.95 ON SALE $ | Accompanied


Ladysmith Black Mambazo : Heavenly : 1 CD : 64098

Ladysmith Black Mambazo : Heavenly

Ladysmith crosses cultural boundaries more than ever before to bring their musical message to a wider audience. The lineup of musicians who with whom they work is fabulous. The album begins with one of the most complex pieces of music imaginable from Joseph who admits that his music is very difficult to sing. Dolly Parton leads "Knockin' On Heavens Door." "O Happy Day" and "Take My Hand Precious Lord" features vocalist Betty Griffin. Phoebe Snow is lead singer on "People Get Ready." Bill Champlin does the lead vocal on "River Of Dreams." You'll find Lou Rawls in lead on "Chain Gang" and Hana "Coyote" Motijoane sings lead on "I'll Take You There." Among these instrumentally accompanied guest appearances which explore American gospel and R&B are an equal number of Ladysmith familiars. It's wonderful how many artists seek to share the message of hope and joy with Ladysmith Black Mambazo!

Songlist: Yitho umlilo ovuthayo, Knockin' on Heavens Door, Oh Happy Day, People Get Ready, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Sohlabelelu Hosana, I'll Take You There, Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain, River of Dreams, Jesus Is My Leader, Chain Gang, He Showed Me His Hands, Ilungelo ngelakho

More details
9116c | 1 CD | $14.98


Soweto Gospel Choir : Blessed : 1 CD : 66038

Soweto Gospel Choir : Blessed

Soweto Gospel Choir is the most successful and exciting vocal group to emerge from South Africa Since Ladysmith Black Mambazo. "Blessed", a follow up to their number 1 Billboard World Charts debut album "Voices From Heaven," takes their irresistible blend of traditional South African music, gospel and inspirational pop one step further. With some awe-inspiring South African hymns and great versions of such classics as "Oh Happy Day," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," and "Khumbaya." The Soweto Gospel Choir with their intricate harmonies and soulful singing will beckon all to reclaim their spirit.

Songlist: Shewane, Asimbonanga/Biko, Jiko Yahao, A Place In Heaven, Njalo, I Bid You Goodnight, LeLilungelo Ngelakho, Oh Happy Day, Noyana, Masigiyae'bo, Swing Down, Weeping, Thapelo, Woza Meli Wami, Mbube, Tshepa Thapelo, Khumbaya, South African National Anthem

More details
9873c | 1 CD | $15.98 | Primarily a cappella


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.


Oh Happy Day : SSA : Kirby Shaw : Edwin Hawkins : 1 CD : 00-43559 : 038081490991

Kirby Shaw : Oh Happy Day

This gospel standard as arranged by Kirby Shaw is now back in print with new voicings. A real barnburner, it builds to a "pull out all the stops" finish!

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Edwin Hawkins

More details
Voicing: SSA | Sheet Music | $2.00 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-43559


Oh Happy Day : SATB : Mark Hayes : Edwin R. Hawkins : Sheet Music : 00-35757 : 038081399539

Mark Hayes : Oh Happy Day

Get into the gospel groove with this rockin' Mark Hayes arrangement of an all-time Edwin Hawkins favorite. Gives you an opportunity to highlight a favorite soloist or two.

Arranger: Mark Hayes | Composer: Edwin R. Hawkins

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.35 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-35757 | Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: SAB, SSA, 2-Part


Oh Happy Day : SATB : Roger Emerson : Edward R. Hawkins : Sheet Music : 00121025 : 884088919894

Roger Emerson : Oh Happy Day

Featured in the movie Sister Act II, this is a gospel powerhouse! The 1969 pop hit by Edwin Hawkins is hard to top. Great for school, community and church performances!

Arranger: Roger Emerson | Composer: Edward R. Hawkins

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.75 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00121025 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: 3-Part, SSA, 3-Part, SSA


Individual Digital Song Arrangements


Would You Like To Take A Walk (Sump'n Good'll Come From That) | Piano, Vocal and Guitar | 1000042725 | $4.99


Woodstock | Joni Mitchell: Hits | Piano, Vocal and Guitar | 1000172454 | $4.99

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