Donny Hathaway, Put Your Hand in the Hand

Reading Time: 3 min read

On the 7^th edition of Sunday Refresh, we’re uplifted by Donny Hathaway performing, “Put Your Hand in the Hand.”

elcome to Sunday Refresh , a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit. These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed. So, for the 7^th edition of Sunday Refresh (2022), we highlight “Put Your Hand in the Hand” as performed by

Donny Hathaway.

Bitmoji Image Grammy-winning musician Donny Hathaway lived just 33 years old but left an indelible mark on music. He is renowned for originals ( “This Christmas”) and reinterpretations like the spiritually fueled “Put Your Hand in the Hand”. “Put Your Hand in the Hand” was written by Canadian singer/songwriter Gene MacLellan. It was originally recorded by Canadian Anne Murray on her 1970 album, Honey, Wheat & Laughter, before short-lived Canadian band Ocean recorded it, making it a huge pop hit in 1971. Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler did a marvelous job where the production is concerned.

“Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself, and you can look at others differently

Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.”

amen While versions by Murray and Ocean exhibit gospel-pop flavor, Donny Hathaway transforms the classic into a full-blown, gospel-soul gem. You might say that it’s the Hathaway version that truly feels like a proponent of spiritual refreshment . “Put Your Hand in the Hand” commences with a masterful, bluesy piano introduction, which hails directly from the black church. Soon enough, things evolve into even more soulful means, thanks to Hathaway’s assertive, spirited vocals, and fuller instrumentation including organ, guitar, bass, drums, and gospel choir. Not only is this a spirit-catching gospel song, it’s also a clinic on musicianship. There are numerous key modulations – far less common today – further amplifying the energy and overall spiritual vibe. MacLellan penned a classic on his own while a young, innovative Hathaway ran with it and made it his own. Donny truly brought “Put Your Hand in the Hand” to the church!