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Working on the Building

Rating:
4.3 / 5

Words & Music: Lillian Boulas Winifred O. Hoyle

I’m working on the building
It's a true foundation
I'm holding up the blood-stained
Banner for my lord
Well I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building
I'm going up to heaven to get my reward

I’m working on the building
It's a true foundation
I'm holding up the blood-stained
Banner for my lord
Well I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building
I'm going up to heaven oh yeah, to get my reward

I’m working on the building
It's a true foundation
I'm holding up the blood-stained
Banner for my lord
Well I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building
I'm going up to heaven oh yeah, to get my reward

I’m working on the building
It's a true foundation
I'm holding up the blood-stained
Banner for my lord
Well I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building
I'm going up to heaven oh yeah, to get my reward

I’m working on the building
It's a true foundation
I'm holding up the blood-stained
Banner for my lord
Well I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building
I'm going up to heaven oh yeah, to get my reward

Recordingdate: 1960/10/30, first released on: His Hand in Mine (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Working on the Building:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(sax)

Availability

Find available albums with Working on the Building.

dgirl wrote on August 01, 2009
A good Gospel tune, but I feel Elvis holds back a bit. He let the Jords kind of take over the song, but it is a nice closing number to his first Gospel LP.
old shep wrote on July 12, 2010
A good energetic gospel song with the Jordanaires to prominent by far.
JerryNodak wrote on July 12, 2010
I didn't care for this song back in 1960 when I was 10. Here it is 50 years later and I still don't like it.
Deano1 wrote on July 12, 2010
A fine gospel track with Elvis sharing the spotlight with the Jordinaires. Elvis must have loved doing songs like this since he grew up idolizing the gospel quartets and groups. On this one, Elvis is living his boyhood dream.
JLpResLey wrote on July 12, 2010
I like it a lot. Good job by Elvis and The Jordanaires. I think it´s a performance that I wouldn´t associate with gospel music, mainly because of the instrument that dominate this performance. For me it´s all about that guitar, it makes the song sound really refreshing and energetic, and it works well along with all the voices.
shoesuedeblues wrote on July 12, 2010
I have this love hate feeling about the Jordanaires, Stamps etc. Ok they were loved by Elvis but I feel that their sound dated Elvis' music to a great extent. This is an example of a vocal group almost relagating Elvis to the ranks of a singalong singer.
JerryNodak wrote on July 12, 2010
As to the point about Elvis becoming a sing-a-long singer here. I believe that's was his intention. He became part of the group. Much as he becomes part of the group during "A Thing Called Love" on the "He Touched Me" album in '71.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on July 13, 2010
Elvis and the Jodanaires, sing it well, and the band, plays it well, but, I never cared for this song.
freedom101 wrote on November 26, 2011
A great uplifting song!
Steve V wrote on July 08, 2012
I liked it more in 1960. I hear it now, and it really doesnt move me at all. Wish Elvis would have done it the way John Fogerty did, the more traditional way.
sugartummy wrote on June 24, 2013
This is the kind of gospel I really like; the fast, rocking gospel. Brilliant.
ElvisSacramento wrote on March 03, 2016
Elvis' rendition of this classic uptempo gospel song is easily the best rendition of it that I've ever heard. Elvis' rendition of it has always been such a joy to listen to and I've never skipped it. This has always been my favorite track from Elvis' "His Hand in Mine" album. Five stars without a shadow of a doubt.
Cruiser621 wrote on April 11, 2017
One of the many 5-Star songs from a 5-Star album "His Hand in Mine", my favorite gospel album of his, period. A surprise Christmas Gift from my parents. Had no idea this album was on the market.
DerekH wrote on November 07, 2022
Great recording, just perfect to end the album. Elvis gospel music never failed to impress.
Milky White Way wrote on November 08, 2022
A clear intent by Elvis to have his vocal slip into the background and become part of the gospel choir and not the lead as the song builds. It works for me as a one off on the album. It’s a fine 5 star, toe tapping tune from an outstanding album.
Mystery Train wrote on November 10, 2022
His Hand in Mine is a five star album all the way. One of the absolute best gospel albums ever recorded by anyone. This truly isn't my favorite song on the album but is well done. As for Elvis becoming part of the group sound that's obviously his choice. No one was going to tell him to pipe down. That's the sound he wanted.
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