D
D7
G
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Traditional
This traditional spiritual is widely known for its simple, uplifting melody and repetitive structure, making it a favorite for group singing and beginner musicians. The original versions are usually performed at a moderate, steady tempo, sometimes with clapping or soft percussion, which can inspire your approach on guitar.
Chord Progression and Transitions
The song uses just three basic chords: G, D, and D7, all of which are common open chords. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the shapes of these chords and practice moving smoothly between them. The transition from D to D7 is especially easy, requiring only a slight finger adjustment. When moving from G to D7, try to keep your ring finger anchored for smoother changes.
Strumming Pattern
For beginners, a simple down-strum pattern on each beat works well. Try playing one down-strum per syllable or per beat, matching the natural rhythm of the lyrics. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with a basic down-down-up-up-down-up pattern to give the song more bounce.
Techniques and Tips
Keep your strumming hand relaxed, and focus on even, steady strokes. Listen to the natural pulse of the song, and don’t rush the chord changes. If singing along, practice slowly at first, then gradually increase your tempo as you gain confidence. This song is perfect for practicing group singalongs and building your chord-changing skills.
Intro
D D7 G
Verse 1G He's got the whole, world, in His hands. He's got theD7 whole, world, in HisD hands.
He's got theG whole, world, in His hands. He's got theD whole worldD7 in HisG hands.
Verse 2G He's got the wind and the rain, in His hands. He's got theD7 wind and the rain, in HisD hands.
He's got theG wind and the rain, in His hands. He's got theD whole worldD7 in HisG hands.
Verse 3G He's got the little bitty baby, in His hands. He's got theD7 little bitty baby, in HisD hands.
He's got theG little bitty baby, in His hands. He's got theD whole worldD7 in HisG hands.
Verse 4G He's got you and me brother, in His hands. He's gotD7 you and me brother, in HisD hands.
He's gotG you and me brother, in his hands. He's got theD whole worldD7 in HisG hands.
Verse 5G He's got the whole, world, in His hands. He's got theD7 whole, world, in HisD hands.
He's got theG whole, world, in His hands. He's got theD whole worldD7 in HisG hands.