“Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee” do you know this one? A 1970 pop song! Number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. whaaat?!
This song was played on top 40 radio play lists! As a top 40 song this would have been played daily over and over, reminding listeners to rely on divine strength for peace, hope, and moral clarity. A song with References to the Bible. I know!
This song In a few words: Powerful, Faith, hope, unity, reflection, redemption. It was celebrated for its uplifting message.
The message: Faith, humility, and spiritual transformation.
The song’s central theme urges listeners to place their trust in Jesus—the “man from Galilee”—who stilled the water and calmed the sea. References to biblical miracles that Jesus did.
Vintage Map and Images Sea of Galilee
Same Year on the charts you would have heard; Maggie May Rod Stewart, One Bad Apple, The Osmonds, Take me Home County Roads, John Denver and Just my Imagination, Temptations.
The lyrics draw on biblical imagery, referencing Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:23–27) and clearing the temple (Matthew 21:12–17).
The Carpenter Clearing the Temple.
You may have heard it on TV or film. The film Prisoners (2013) and TV shows such as Family Matters and Last Man Standing.
Check out 1st verse of the song. 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 A you can look at others differently… by putting your hand in the hand of the man from galilee.
The band “Ocean” in 1971 made it popular and had massive success. The band had just rebranded from the name Leather and Lace to Ocean and Put your Hand in the Hand was their debut single. A year before that, Anne Murray recorded the song. However, Capitol Records deemed it too religious and chose to release “Sing High Sing Low” as the single instead. Murray was very upset on missing out on that hit it was to be her follow up after the hit Snowbird.
Anne Murray Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man From Galilee 1970
Ocean Band Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee 1971
The song is written by Gene MacLellan, known for his modesty and introspective nature, described his songwriting as a way to make a positive statement. There are also cool versions by Joan Baez and even Bing Crosby! It won a Grammy in 1972 for Best Soul Gospel Performance by Shirley Caesar for her rendition of “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee.”
Biblical Lessons right in the verses that don’t come off preachy, just factual. Like, teaching your kids when they’re young to pray and catch yourself when being a hypocrit. You know, when a person tells someone to do something that they themselves, don’t do? Like, don’t eat junk all day, but they eat junk all day.
2nd Verse Lyrics: “Ev’ry time I look into the holy book I wanna tremble / When I read about the part where a carpenter cleared the temple / For the buyers and the sellers were no different fellas than what I profess to be / And it causes me pain to know I’m not the guy that I should be”
Self reflection. Examine our own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and recognize our own imperfections. Not about fixing yourself but about knowing and seeing how you or we, ourself, operate.
Check out the lyrics below or better yet, track down a recording by one of YOUR favorite artists. Don’t forget the ever fun karaoke versions too. This song is upbeat and revitalizing and you’ll want to jump in.
PUT YOUR HAND IN THE HAND OF THE MAN FROM GALILEE
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
By puttin’ your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee
Every time I look into the Holy Book I want to tremble (tremble)
Or when I read about the part where the carpenter cleared the temple (temple)
For the buyers and the sellers were no different fellas than what I profess to be
And it causes me shame to know we’re not the people we should be
So, 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
By puttin’ your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee
My mama taught me how to pray before I reached the age of seven
She said, “there’ll come a time when there’ll probably be room in heaven”
But I’m feeling kinda guilty ’bout the number of times to do what we must do
But we forget what he said, then we figure that he’ll still make room
So, you gotta 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
By puttin’ your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee
Everybody come along
Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water
(Who stilled the water)
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
(Who calmed the sea)
Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently
