The old hymn “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” was written by Ira Stanphill. Although I’ve heard the song many times during my life, I never knew who wrote it until Paul posted a video of Pap singing it several years ago. You can see that video here.
Ira wrote the beautiful song after his wife left him. He was depressed and trying to make sense of what had happened to him. You can read more about Ira’s life and the story of the song on this website.
I was surprised to learn Ira wrote many other gospel songs including “Mansion Over the Hilltop,” another song that has been beyond common in my lifetime. Granny’s family loved to sing the old song and it’s always been a favorite of the choir at church.
Several months ago Chatter recorded “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and shared her thoughts about why the song is one of her favorites.
I hope you enjoyed the video!
Tipper
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Me and my sister have sung in most of the churches in Sevier County and a lot of funerals. Mansion Over The Hilltop was one we sang a lot. We are now 77 and 78 years old and as little girls our moms would teach us our parts to sing and practice with us for Sunday mornings. She wad such a godly mama. We miss her so much and our daddy. We were blessed kids. A lot of your videos are like our home life. It is a joy to watch. Thank you
Beautiful, beautiful song sung by precious Corie. I wish we would sing more of the old traditional songs at church with the wonderful instruments of days gone by. Thank you Corie for your heartfelt song! Hugs!
I’ve loved and sang both of these songs since I was a child. The song “I know who holds tomorrow” was taught to me by my neighbor Lil Merrifield.
The second song “Mansion on the hilltop” has always been a favorite and I especially loved hearing the Forester Sisters version.
Speaking of Mansion on the hilltop, my mother Nellie McPeek, had a childhood friend named Florence Cooper. They remained dear friends their entire lives. When Mom was in declining health about the age of 80 Florence gave her a beautiful wall hanging that said “In my fathers house are many mansions. I hope mine is next to yours.”
Dear Tipper and Chatter,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful hymn with us. Chatter, you have a lovely voice and are very talented on the guitar. This song ministered to me 25 years ago right about this time of year. I was coping with a very unique and difficult circumstance when I heard Lee Ann Rimes singing this song. It became “my” song, as Chatter has expressed. The circumstance grew more difficult before it improved and I clung to the words. Today, at age 67, I can say, “yes”, I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand! Bless the name of The Lord! Chatter, your testimony truly touched me! Your faith will continue to sustain you as you mature and experience life and all of its peaks and valleys. God bless your sweet family. Vicki Davis, NW Georgia
This beautiful hymn touches my heart and brings tears of sadness that will lead to joy when taken to heart. Thank you Corie for your rendition of this hymn and your constant faith and testimony.
I love that song. we sing it at our church. Great job!
I have already chosen this to be sung at my funeral. I love it.
One of my favorites and Corie did a beautiful job. It’s a wonderful feeling to know who holds tomorrow! Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!
Always loved that song and Corrie just makes it better! Mansion on the Hill Top was my grandmother’s favorite and mine also now.
I also like Mansion on the Hill Top. My sister in law died in 2016 of a very rare brain disease. She begin to sing with her daddy when she was 3 years old. Her daddy would turn a cane bottom straight back chair around and she would stand in it and hold on to the back so she could reach the mike. Her two signature songs were Build My Mansion and where The Roses Never Fade. After she sang these two songs you could say they had now been sung. There wouldn’t be many dry eyes in the audience. The last song I ever heard her sing after her mind begin to fail her was Sheltered In The Arms Of God. She sang it without any music and while we were all at the lake and sung it perfectly. She was suppose to sing Where The Roses Never Fade at my funeral.
I particularly liked the guitar solo. That little bit of crosspicking is a promise of something exciting in the future!
Corie, that was beautiful! Those words will be running through my head all day reminding me who holds tomorrow.
I find myself recalling songs I have not heard in well over 30 years. I cannot understand it as I am not musical at all. And it looks much like it that especially meaningful songs are often born in a furnace of adversity. Maybe it is because those times burn away all the ‘stuff’ that is usually in the way. Chatter, I think there are songs for seasons and that is especially true of gospel songs. Lovely to hear your solo this morning. Thank you.
I love the way Corie sings this song. Our church rarely sings any of the old hymns just mindless modern tunes. My husband and I grew up singing only hymns and we sure do miss singing them in church. I have a couple of old hymnals I received from church when they went digital. We don’t use hymnals any longer and haven’t for ten or more years. Hey Randy, I envy you eating those scrumptious tomatoes. We’ll probably have to wait until July before we get any ripe ones. Our cukes are starting to come on as well as the squash but I can’t wait for the tomatoes–yum. Prayers continue for Granny and Corrie. God Bless you all.
Gospel country as I like like it. Thanks Tipper, I could listen to your Pap (and you all) all day, great words and the clouds seem to represent a coming time. I have heard, and appreciate Corie’s top version.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of who stands beside us and holds our hand.
This another one of my favorite hymns. For me, today’s new religious songs don’t compare with hymns like this.
Two things, today I am going to eat my first of the year homegrown tomato sandwich, I picked a couple of tomatoes yesterday from my early girl tomato plants. Papaw asked me yesterday what was a heavy frost, in my area a frost on the rooftops and windshields but not on the ground is called a light frost and a heavy frost is one on the ground that almost looks like a dusting or as Tipper says skiff of snow.
My late son-in-law used this song in a lesson he taught during Bible study. He was the most faith and hope-filled person I ever knew. This song always makes me think of him and how much he loved and trusted Jesus. He knew he was dying, but he was not afraid of what the future held for him. I cannot wait to hug him again one day and tell him how much he and his faith has touched our lives. Your daddy and Corie both sang it so beautifully.
That is a heart felt song and Corie sang it beautifully! I’m thankful I too know the one who holds tomorrow. Tipper, I appreciate you for sharing this song with us. Happy Sunday y’all and may God’s blessings be upon you all!
Tears. Beautiful words, beautiful voice. Praise God who holds our hands.