"He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” was born in the fields of the American south. The story of this unforgettable song is intertwined in the history of America itself. It was written by a slave whose name we will never know. That man or woman likely experienced more trouble and suffering than any person in the modern age. He or she was not considered human by a society that viewed bondage as a necessary evil. So, the writer of this hymn was not in charge of the present and had no control over the future. The slave owner could beat him or her to death, and there would be no punishment. Or he could sell him or her on an auction block on a minute’s notice. Yet in the face of a life with no promise of freedom, this slave found solace in faith. Somehow this Christian still believed that a loving God was in charge.
First published in 1927, it became an international pop hit in 1957 in a recording by an English boy, Laurie London, and has been recorded by many other singers and choirs since then. Maybe it was one of the first songs you learned yourself.
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
image by Courtney Carmody
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