"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1929 by Washington Phillips (18801954, vocals and zither).
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-inch 78 rpm single Okeh 8725) consists almost entirely of a similar refrain. "Got a Key to the Kingdom" by Josh White (1935, 10-inch 78 rpm single Melotone 5-11-60 and simultaneous releases) has the same tune and a similar refrain, but very different verses.
Recordings 1929Washington Phillips 1929Blind Willie Davis (song titled as "I've Got a Key to the Kingdom") on Paramount Records
See also Keys of the Kingdom (disambiguation)
References