“Up Above My Head” – The Rance Allen Group * Written by: Trad Arr. Rance Allen * Produced by Dave Clark and Toby Jackson * LP: The Rance Allen Group * Label: Gospel Truth Records
The choruses in the early versions of this traditional song, including the classic 1948 version by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight, conclude that “I really do believe there’s a heaven somewhere.” In this version by the Rance Allen Group, from Monroe, Michigan, the conclusion is that “I really do believe there’s a God somewhere.” Although Allen’s delivery is conviction itself, there’s a loosey-goosey aspect in that word choice that could qualify this as a deist anthem. Yes, this God may take the form of who knows what and reside who knows where, but I know He/She must be there. The IIm chord they’ve adapted into the chorus reminds you of the “when Jesus walked” line in the Edwin Hawkins’s Singers “Oh Happy Day.” Rance Allen is currently a Bishop for the Church of God in Christ in Michigan. You can see this vintage version of the group in the 1972 Wattstax film.