Periodically I read the obituaries of the NY Times because that section of the paper provides a link to people who mark significant milestones in my life and their passing. Today I was surprise to learn of the death of William Hawkins. The name may not mean much to a lot of people but to me he marked a time in my life when I was struggling on an emotional level and the song he helped write would serve to lift my spirit every time I heard it on the radio. The song I am talking about is “O’ Happy day.” William Hawkins was not the front man his brother who recorded the song was. He helped write something timeless and then stepped back into the background doing other things.

I was very young then and thought I was one of the few who gained from the absolute joy the song was able to convey. Little did I know that the song which the NY Times describes as a “hymn like incantation with a funky underbeat,” would go on to become a crossover hit. So much so the choir was featured on Saturday Night Live.

No matter your religious beliefs, you cannot help but feel the sheer joy the song seems to reach out and impart! I found a clip of the song on YouTube and hope it serves to up lift you as well.