| I've Got the Key to the Kingdom | |
| Cover: | Phillips-KeyToTheKingdom.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Washington Phillips |
| Recorded: | Dallas, Texas, December 2, 1929 |
| Genre: | Gospel blues |
| Label: | Columbia |
| Producer: | Frank B. Walker |
"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1929 by Washington Phillips (18801954, vocals and zither).[1]
The song consists of several verses and a refrain:The verses relate to the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den, and his deliverance from it; found in the Book of Daniel at Chapter 6.
Phillips' song may be a variant of a traditional gospel song. "Key to the Kingdom" by Bessie Johnson and the Sanctified Singers (1929, 10" 78rpm single Okeh 8725) consists almost entirely of a similar refrain.[2] "Got a Key to the Kingdom" by Josh White (1935, 10" 78rpm single Melotone 5-11-60 and simultaneous releases) has the same tune and a similar refrain, but very different verses.[3]