Jericho panel from the Ghiberti doors
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Photo: Bernard Gagnon
Wikimedia Commons
“So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was in all the land.”
I imagine Joshua would be pleased (in a warrior-sort-of way) to know that the world is still singing his song. “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” is one of the most popular American spirituals, sung in a variety of arrangements by Mahalia Jackson, the Delta Rhythm Boys, the Moses Hogan Singers, and children everywhere (It’s so much fun to knock that brick wall down at the final tumbling cadence.)
Here for your enjoyment is Elvis’ 1960 version from the album His Hand in Mine. Elvis is backed by the Jordanaires, and sings in the style of the Golden Gate Quartet–an incredible group out of Norfolk, Virginia whom Elvis admired and once met.
