Music moves us. Some songs, though, they just sit differently in your chest. If you grew up in a traditional church or spent any time around Southern Gospel, you’ve heard it. What a Day That Will Be isn't just a song; it's a staple of the American spiritual experience. It’s played at funerals. It’s belted out at Sunday morning services. It’s hummed in kitchens when things get tough.
But why?
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Most people think hymns are these dusty artifacts written by monks in the 1700s. Not this one. This wasn't some ancient liturgical chant. It was born from a specific moment of family struggle in the mid-20th century. Honestly, that’s probably why it feels so grounded despite talking about something as lofty as heaven. It didn't come from a place of abstract theology. It came from a guy watching his mother-in-law suffer.
The Story Behind What a Day That Will Be
Jim Hill wrote this. If you aren't a Southern Gospel nerd, you might not know the name, but Hill was a powerhouse. He sang with the Golden Keys Quartet and later the Statesmen. But back in 1955, he was just a guy dealing with the heavy reality of aging and illness.
His mother-in-law had suffered a stroke. It wasn't one of those quick things. It was the long, slow, grueling kind of decline that drains a family. She was a devout woman who lived for her faith, and seeing her trapped in a body that didn't work anymore hit Hill hard.
One day, while driving home from work—he was a shoe salesman at the time, believe it or not—the words just started coming. He wasn't trying to write a hit. He was trying to process the idea that there has to be something better than this. He got home, scribbled the lyrics on a cardboard box (some stories say it was a brown paper bag, but his family has clarified the cardboard detail in various interviews over the years), and a classic was born.
It’s a simple thought.
What happens when the "sorrow" and "burden" finally stop? Hill captured that relief. When he played it for his wife and her mother, they knew he’d tapped into something universal. It’s the hope that the physical decay we see in this life isn't the final word.
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Breaking Down the Lyrics
You've probably noticed the song doesn't use fancy words. There’s no complex Latin or heavy metaphors.
- "There is coming a day..."
- "No more clouds in the sky..."
- "No more tears to dim the eye..."
It's conversational. It's almost childlike in its directness. In the world of music theory, the melody is just as straightforward. It uses a major key—usually G or A-flat—which gives it a triumphant, bright feel even though the subject matter often comes up in moments of grief. It’s a "shout" song, even when it’s sung slowly.
Interestingly, the chorus is what really sticks. That repetitive "What a day, glorious day that will be." It acts like a mantra. By the time you get to the third repetition, the audience is usually fully leaned in.
Why This Hymn Stuck While Others Faded
A lot of songs from the 1950s gospel circuit are totally forgotten now. You won't hear them outside of niche archival recordings. But What a Day That Will Be is everywhere.
The Gaither Vocal Band brought it to a massive global audience in the 90s and 2000s. Bill Gaither has a knack for picking songs that bridge the gap between "old school" and "contemporary," and this was his crown jewel for a long time. When Jim Hill himself performed it on the Gaither Homecoming stages, you could see the impact. He was an old man by then, singing about the very thing he’d written about as a young salesman.
There's a psychological element here, too.
Humans are hardwired for hope. Whether you’re religious or not, the idea of a "place where no sorrows come" is a powerful psychological anchor. In clinical settings, music like this is often used in hospice care. It provides a narrative of transition that feels safe. It’s not about the "fire and brimstone" you find in some older hymns. It’s purely about peace.
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The Southern Gospel Connection
Southern Gospel music is distinct from "High Church" hymns like A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. It’s more folk-influenced. It’s got a bit of swing to it.
Jim Hill’s composition fits the "convention song" style perfectly. These were songs meant to be sung in large groups, often with four-part harmony. If you listen to a recording by the Statesmen Quartet, you’ll hear that booming bass line and the soaring tenor. It’s designed to be physically felt. The vibrations of a choir singing these specific intervals—especially the resolution at the end of the chorus—actually trigger a dopamine release. It's literally "feel-good" music.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People get stuff wrong about this hymn all the time.
First off, many assume it’s a "Negro Spiritual" from the 1800s because of the lyrical themes. Nope. It’s a mid-century composition by a white shoe salesman from Ohio. The crossover appeal is just that strong.
Secondly, people often think the song is about death. Technically, yeah, it is. But Hill always maintained it was about life—the next one. He didn't see it as a somber funeral march. He saw it as a victory lap. That’s why you’ll often see people clapping along to it, which might seem weird if you don't understand the context.
How to Use This Hymn Today
If you're a worship leader or just someone putting together a playlist for a memorial, how you frame this song matters.
- Tempo is everything. If you play it too slow, it becomes a dirge. It loses the "glory" Hill was trying to capture. Keep it at a steady, walking pace.
- Focus on the story. Sharing the background about Hill’s mother-in-law changes how people hear the lyrics. It moves it from a generic religious song to a deeply personal letter of encouragement.
- The "Invitation" factor. This song is a classic "invitation" hymn. It’s designed to make people move. Use it when you want to create a sense of communal belonging.
Honestly, the world is pretty loud and chaotic right now. Whether it’s 1955 or 2026, people are still dealing with the same stuff: sickness, loss, and the feeling that things aren't quite right. That’s the "hook" of What a Day That Will Be. It promises a resolution to the tension.
It’s a simple promise.
No more sickness. No more pain. Just peace.
Even if you aren't a believer, you can't deny the craft. Jim Hill took a cardboard box and a heavy heart and turned it into a piece of cultural history that has outlived him by decades. That’s the power of a good song. It survives.
Actionable Insights for Musicians and Enthusiasts
- Study the Harmony: If you're a singer, look at the 1950s quartet arrangements. The way the baritone and tenor parts weave around the melody in the chorus is a masterclass in Southern Gospel structure.
- Check the Source: Look up the "Gaither Homecoming" version featuring Jim Hill. It’s on YouTube. Watching the author sing his own words at 70+ years old gives the song a weight you can't get from a studio recording.
- Contextualize: If you’re using this in a modern service, try an acoustic version with just a mandolin or a piano. Stripping away the "big" production lets the raw honesty of the lyrics breathe.
- Explore Similar Works: If this song resonates with you, look into other "hope-centric" hymns of that era, like I'll Fly Away or The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference. They share a similar DNA of personal testimony mixed with melodic simplicity.