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Working on the Building


Words & Music: W.O. Hoyle/ Lillian Boulas
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
Recorded: 1960/10/30, first released on His Hand in Mine
Reactions
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.
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.
This is the kind of gospel I really like; the fast, rocking gospel. Brilliant.
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.
Elvis and the Jodanaires, sing it well, and the band, plays it well, but, I never cared for this song.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A good energetic gospel song with the Jordanaires to prominent by far.
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.
Available Alternate Versions