James Houston "Jimmie" Davis (September 11, 1899-November 5, 2000)
Biography
Jimmie Davis, who was born James Houston Davis on September 11, 1899 in Beech Springs, Louisiana, had successful careers in politics, country music, and Southern Gospel music. He served two terms as Governor of Louisiana, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, and Southern Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame. He also served as President of the Gospel Music Association in 1967.
Davis started out as a country music singer in the 1930s, entered politics and was elected Governor for the first time in 1940. After his term as Governor, he returned to his Southern Gospel roots, recording many Southern Gospel albums over the next several decades. During the 1950s, he toured with the Plainsmen Quartet.
Davis was elected to his second term as Governor in 1960. His First wife, Alverna, passed away in 1967. In 1969 he married Anna Carter Gordon, an original member of the Chuck Wagon Gang. He stayed involved in Southern Gospel music until the 1980s.
He was a prolific songwriter and owned his own publishing company, Jimmie Davis Music.
Jimmie Davis passed away on November 5, 2000, at the age of 101.
Awards
GMA Hall Of Fame (1994)
SGMA Hall Of Fame (1997)
Solo Discography
Incomplete
1953 Sings His Favorite Gospel Songs (Decca Records/DL5500): Someone To Care; I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone; When I Prayed Last Night; When They Ring Those Golden Bells; Mansion Over The Hilltop; When We All Get Together Up There; Lord I'm Coming Home; The Great Milky Way.
1955 Near The Cross (Decca Records/DL8174): Near The Cross; Supper-Time; To My Mansion In The Sky; Thirty Pieces Of Silver; Why Didn't You Tell Me?; Somewhere There's A Friend; I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (And I Know Who Holds My Hand); By And By (When The Morning Comes); Lily Of The Valley; Take My Hand Precious Lord; Taller Than Trees; I Don't Care What The World May Do.
hi-res
1957 Hymn Time (Decca Records/DL8572): The Lord Has Been Good To Me; Cool Chilly Water; I'm Bound For That City; I'm Too Close To Heaven To Turn Around; I Cannot Find The Way Alone; Lest I Stray Away; Unclouded Day; I Will Not Be A Stranger; Every Hour And Every Day; Heaven's Hall Of Fame; I Need No Mansions Here; Led By The Master's Hand.
1958 The Door Is Always Open (Decca Records/DL8729): How Great Thou Art; I'm Just As Rich As You; I'm Bound For The Kingdom; The Secret Road; In My Father's House; I Won't Have To Travel This Valley Alone; I'll Meet You In The Morning; Dear Lord, Don't Let Go My Hand; Travel Me Home; I Got More Than My Share; Thank God For Such A Mother; I Recommend (Re-issued in 1970 as In My Father's House minus "How Great Thou Art," "Thank God For Such A Mother," and "I Recommend").
1958 Hail Him With A Song (Decca Records/DL8786): I've Been Changed; Back In The Fold Again; Rock Of Ages; These Hands Of Clay; Sundown; What Can He Do?; Honey In The Rock; Sweet Mystery; Amazing Grace; The Wonderful Week; Jesus Wept; When I Inherit My Mansion (Re-issued in 1968 as Amazing Grace minus "Rock Of Ages" and "When I Inherit My Mansion").
hi-res
1959 Suppertime (Decca Records/DL8953): Suppertime; My God Is Real; I'd Rather Have Jesus; Long Long Journey; Oh Why Not Tonight; Where He Leads Me I Will Follow; When The Master Speaks; Battle Hymn Of The Republic; There Is A Fountain; When I Move To The Sky; Someday There'll Be No Tomorrow; What A Friend We Have In Jesus.
1960 Someone To Care (Decca Records/DL74037): Someone To Care; The Haven Of Rest; When The Morning Comes; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; What A Day That Will Be; The Blood That Stained The Old Rugged Cross; If We Never Meet Again; One By One; I Am Bound For The Promised Land; Pass Me Not; Shelter From The Storms; When We All Get To Heaven.
hi-res
1960 No One Stands Alone (Vocalion Records/VL73676): My Lord Will Lead Me Home; Where No One Stands Alone; Someone To Care; I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone; When I Prayed Last Night; When They Ring Those Golden Bells; I Know What He Meant; Do You Ever Think To Pray; Mansion Over The Hilltop; When We All Get Together Up There; Lord I'm Coming Home; The Great Milky Way.
hi-res
1961 Sweet Hour Of Prayer (Decca Records/DL74087): Saviour Take Me By The Hand; Sweet Hour Of Prayer; Church In The Wildwood; Known Only To Him; I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone; Love Lifted Me; I Want To See Jesus First Of All; Taller Than Trees; Where Could I Go But To The Lord; Lord Keep Your Hand On Me; Leaning On The Everlasting Arms; Standing On The Promises.
1961 Someone Watching Over You (Decca Records/DL74186): Touch The Hand Of The Lord; The Taller Your Shadow Will Be; When I Prayed Last Night; He Knows What I Need; Farther Along; Get On Board, Little Children; Twenty One; The Robe Of Calvary; Love, Like The Love Of God; Rock Of Ages, Hide Thou Me; Someone Watching Over You; In The Sweet Bye And Bye (with The Plainsmen).
hi-res
1962 Songs Of Faith (Decca Records/DL 4220): When The Saints Go Marching In; He'll Be There; Kneel At The Cross; I'm Working On A Building; Who At My Door Is Standing; The Home Coming Week; That Glad Reunion Day; Wasted Years; My Lord Will Lead Me Home; What Can I Offer; Nothing; Happiness Is Just A Prayer Away.
hi-res
1962 How Great Thou Art (Decca Records/DL74322): Do Lord; When They Ring Those Golden Bells; How Long Has It Been; When He Reached Down His Hand For Me; Longing To Go; The Prettiest Flowers; Come A Little Closer To The Lord; My Little Boy Blue; Dear Jesus Abide With Me; Crown Of Thorns; A Beautiful Life; How Great Thou Art.
hi-res
1963 Beyond The Shadows (Decca Records/DL74376): When The Morning Comes; Until Then; Take The Hand Of A Pilgrim; Just As I Am; Shelter From The Storms; My Visit To Heaven; I Am Resolved; Beyond The Shadows; I Would Not Be Denied; He Must Die; Where Will I Shelter My Sheep; When I Move To The Sky.
hi-res
1963 Highway To Heaven (Decca RecordsDL74432): Highway To Heaven; Will You Be Saved; White Robes; Each Step You Take; Without Him; At The Cross; He's Holding My Hand; Softly And Tenderly; Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem; No Disappointments In Heaven; Where We'll Never Grow Old; Keep Walking.
1964 It's Christmas Time Again (Decca Records/DL74587): It's Christmas Time Again; Silent Night; Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Christmas Message; No Room At The Inn; Go Tell It On The Mountain; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Away In A Manger; A Child Was Born; Joy To The World; Gently Rock His Cradle.
hi-res
1965 At The Crossing (Decca Records/DL74611): At The Crossing; You Can Have Him; Our Door To Heaven; Dwelling In Beulah Land; Born To Serve The Lord; By His Stripes Ye Were Healed; I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now; Ten Thousand Angels; Touch Of His Hand On Mine; Far Above The Starry Sky; Wait For An Answer; He's The Saviour Of The World.
1965 Still I Believe (Decca Records/DL74682): He's Able; In The Shelter Of His Arms; Blood On The Silver; Still I Believe; Five Minutes After I Die; The Bible Trail; On My Way To A City; So Many Reasons; Safety Of His Arms; It's Happened To Me; The Last Supper; At An Altar Of Prayer.
1966 My Altar (Decca Records/DL74763): Will The Circle Be Unbroken; Jesus Use Me; Life's Railway To Heaven; One More Valley; One Touch Of The Master's Hand; A Million Treasures; Who Am I?; (Here's My) Buryin' Ground; When All Goes Well; From Earth To Somewhere; I'm Nearer Home (Than I Was Yesterday); My Altar.
hi-res
1966 Gospel Hour (Decca Records/DL74819): Have You Heard The Angels; My Heart Can See; Time Has Made A Change; Sometimes A Mountain; No One; Come On In (And Make Yourself At Home); Take The Angels; It Was Not The Nails; He Takes A Beggar; Love Is The Reason; Land That Needs No Sun; Dear Son.
1967 Going Home For Christmas (Decca Records/DL74868): Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree; Silver Bells; It's Christmas Time Again; The Priceless Gift Of Christmas; Blue Christmas; Sniffles (Santa's Pet); Forgive Me Santa; Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer; Come To The Manger; White Christmas; Take Me Back To Babyland; Going Home For Christmas.
1968 His Marvelous Grace (Decca Records/DL74899): When God Dips His Love In My Heart; My Wasted Past; Down The Sawdust Trail; His Grace Is Sufficient For Me; Death Is Only A Dream; Praise The Lord, Oh My Soul; Meet The Savior; His Marvelous Grace; Is There Anything Too Hard; Let Him In; He's Always At Home; Inside His Arms.
1968 Singing The Gospel (Decca Records/DL74976): When Jesus Knocks, Let Him In; In The Garden; No Wars In Heaven; My Beautiful Home; You're Not Home Yet; House Of Clay; Surely Goodness And Mercy; Remind Me, Dear Lord; Haven't Been To Church For Sometime; No One But Jesus Understands; Diamonds And Gold.
hi-res
1968 Greatest Hits (Decca Records/DL74978): I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now; How Great Thou Art; One More Valley; Someone To Care; Wasted Years; Suppertime; When God Dips His Love In My Heart; Taller Than Trees; Who Am I; Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross; His Marvelous Grace.
hi-res
1968 Amazing Grace (Vocalion Records/VL73863): I've Been Changed; Back In The Fold Again; These Hands Of Clay; Sundown; What Can He Do; Honey In The Rock; Sweet Mystery; Amazing Grace; The Wonderful Week; Jesus Wept.
1969 Let Me Walk With Jesus (Decca Records/DL75085): WhenThe World's On Fire; Zion's Hill; The Holy Hills Of Heaven Call Me; Too Much To Gain To Lose; A Chair That Rocked Us All; I'm Going Home To Watch The Flowers Bloom; Now I Have Everything; Let Me Walk With You Jesus; The Dark Valley; I'll See My Savior; Had It Not Been.
hi-res
1970 In My Father's House (Vocalion Records/VL73878): I'm Just As Rich As You; I'm Bound For The Kingdom; The Secret Road; In My Father's House (Are Many Mansions); I Won't Have To Travel This Valley Alone; I'll Meet You In The Morning; Dear Lord Don't Let Go Of My Hand; Travel Me Home; I Got More Than My Share.
hi-res
1970 Songs Of Consolation (Decca Records/DL75199): I've Been Born Again; The Story Of The Three Nails; He Is So Precious To Me; I Believe; Rivers; Sheltered In The Arms Of God; Shake The Nail Scarred Hands Of Jesus; I'd Hate To Be The Man Who Drove The Nails In Jesus' Hands; Today I'm Giving You Away; Day Without Prayer; Going Home.
1971 Old Baptizing Creek (Decca Records/DL75273): They Can't Love Jesus More Than I Do; Ain't That Beautiful Singing; For God So Loved The World; That's Why Jesus Went To Calvary; Have We Forgotten God; I Know A Man Who Can; Old Baptizing Creek; If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again; Beyond This Valley; The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference; I Don't Want To Miss It, Do You?.
hi-res
1972 What A Happy Day (Decca Records/DL75331): Old Time Religion; Build My Mansion; Glory Mill In The Sky; The Eastern Gate; I Believe He'd Go To Calvary For Me; Lord Have You Forgotten Me; Oh What A Happy Day; Long Time Coming; Crumbs From The Table; The Night Before Easter; If That Isn't Love.
hi-res
1972 Memories Coming Home (Decca Records/DL75387): Let's All Shine; If Heaven's A Dream; House At The End Of The Road; All Heaven Can Call Me By Name; Higher Ground; I Drank Of That New Wine; Jesus Is A Soul Saving Man; Blood Stains On The Mountain; Memories Coming Home; I Feel Like Traveling On; No One To Welcome Me Home.
1973 God's Last Altar Call (MCA Records/MCA-323): Let's All Go Down To The River; The Day Is Almost Here; Draw Me Nearer; Mama Would Pray; There Is A River; Lord, Is There Room In Your Mansion For Me; Lighthouse Shine On Me; God's Last Altar Call; When The Sun Turns To Ashes (And The Moon Turns To Blood); After Calvary; Carry His Love From Door To Door.
hi-res
1974 Lord Let Me Be There (Canaan Records/CAS9751): Lord Let Me Be There; This Is What Heaven Means To Me; Why Me Lord; Come Walk With Me; Tears Are A Language; Give Me A Heart Like Thine; Over The Next Hill We'll Be Home; One Day I Will; Precious Memories; It's Worth It All; Mama Always Loved The Roses; I'm Just Going Home.
1974 Christ Is My Sunshine (Canaan Records/CAS9760): If You Love Him Let Him Know; When I'm Gone; Because He Lives; Take Me Over To The Other Side; (I'm Going To Climb) The Highest Hill; Welcome Home; Christ Is My Sunshine; Hallelujah Square; Jesus Take A Hold; Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown; City Of Gold; One Day At A Time.
hi-res
1975 Living By Faith (Canaan Records/CAS9773): Living By Faith; It'll Be Alright In The Morning; It's Gonna Rain; Treasures Untold; Heaven Came Down; Tears Will Never Stain The Streets Of That City; There Is No Mountain (That You Can't Climb); Oh What A Sunrise; Heaven Will Be Heaven; There's Room At The Cross; It's Enough For Me; On The Way Home.
1976 Live (Canaan Records/CAS9786): Intro; I Was There When It Happened/Religious Horse; Long, Long Journey; Old Baptizing Creek/Old Baptizing Story; Could It Be The End Of Time Is Near/Marriage Story; When We All Get To Heaven; Supper Time Story; Supper Time.
1976 Put Jesus First (Canaan Records/CAS9804): Walk Through Paradise; I Don’t Want To Be Free; This Little Light Of Mine; Nearing A City; Take Me Home; Put Jesus First; Someone To Care; Don’t Weep For Me; The Saviour, The Sinner And The Fool; The Homecoming Song.
1977 Songs In The Spirit (Canaan Records/CAS9817): What Could I Do Without Jesus; Hold Tight To My Hand; When I See Him For The First Time; Without God I'd Have Nothing; God's Gonna Give Me A Mountain; My Cathedral Of Dreams; When I Lay My Burdens Down; The Great Milky Way; From Calvary To Heaven; To My Mansion In The Sky.
hi-res
1978 Walking In The Sunshine (Canaan Records/CAS9839): Show Me The Way; Heaven's Sounding Sweeter; Walking In The Sunshine; He Wrote My Name In Blood; Even Winds Whisper His Name; Let Me Smell The Flowers; Here's Your Child Again; She Touched The Hem Of His Garment; When A Million Years Is All Over; Heaven's Avenue.
1979 Soul Train To Glory (Canaan Records/CAS9852): Soul Train To Glory; Twenty-One; On The Street Where Jesus Walks; Prayer Time At Our House; Lord, Slow Me Down; At The Crossing; Washed In The Blood; Don't Tear The Old House Down; Living; Friend In Jesus.
1980 Immortal Songs (Canaan Records/CAS9866): Will The Circle Be Unbroken; All I Need Is Jesus; Just A Little Talk With Jesus; When The Saints Go Marching In; Holy; The Grave Can't Hold Me; The Last Mountain; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; I'll Fly Away; You Are My Sunshine.
hi-res
1981 Heaven’s National Anthem (Canaan Records/CAS9882): Walking On The Water; This Old Suitcase, This Old Hat And My Shoes; Taller Than Trees; I Want To Be There; Making Reservations (To Meet Jesus In The Sky); Heaven's National Anthem; Suppertime; The Last Few Miles (I've Traveled On My Knees); Two Glasses Of Buttermilk; The Three Nails.
hi-res
1982 Favorites (Canaan Records/CAS9895): To My Mansion In The Sky; At The Crossing; Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown; The Three Nails; I'll Be Alright; Show Me The Way; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; Suppertime; When The Saints Go Marching In; You Are My Sunshine.
1983 This One's For You (Canaan Records/CAS9907): Louisiana, This One's For You; Who At My Door Is Standing; I Was There When It Happened; The Other Side Of The River; The Saddest Goodbye; Glory Train; God Never Gives A Thorn (Unless He Leaves A Rose); Going Home For Christmas; I Still Believe It's True; Please Sing The Old Songs For Me.
1985 The Last Walk (MorningStar Records/MST-4058): The Last Walk; Jesus Showed Me The Way; How Long Has It Been; My Lord Will Lead Me Home; Break Me Lord, Break Me; A Queen Without A Crown; What's That In Your Hand?; Peace In The Valley; I Won't Leave Without You; Cool Chilly Water.
1986 Hello Sunshine (MorningStar Records/MST 4075): Hello Sunshine; I've Never Been This Homesick Before; I Cannot Find The Way Alone; We'll Be Singing Hallelujah; Let Me Walk With You Jesus; Supper Time In Glory; The Unclouded Day; Window Shopping For A Blessing; Someone To Care; No One To Welcome Me Home.
1989 It's Moving Time (MorningStar Records/MSC4102): It's Moving Time; My Mansion In Glory; The Rough Side Of The Mountain; Behold I Stand At The Door And I Knock; One More Valley; That Sounds Like Home To Me; I'm Just As Rich As You; Are You Washed In The Blood; Shake The Nail-Scarred Hand Of Jesus; I Was There When It Happened.
Songwriter's Résumé
(Partial List)
Come A Little Closer To The Lord
Crown Of Thorns
From The Altar Of Repentance
He Knows What I Need
He Must Die
I Know A Man Who Can
I Was There When It Happened
I Wouldn't Take Nothin' For My Journey Now
In The Beginning
Long Long Journey
My Heart Can See
My Visit To Heaven
Nothing
One By One
One More Valley
Sheltered In The Arms Of God
So Many Reasons
Someone To Care
Sweet Mystery
The Good Lord Walks With Me
The Great Homecoming
The Three Nails
The Wonderful Week
There's A Way To Cross Over
These Hands Of Clay
Twenty-One
What Can I Offer
Will There Be Any Stars