Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedOh Happy Day
Gospel1960s116BPM
G♯ majKey
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The verdict
Documented Sampling History
The underlying 18th/19th-century hymn is genuinely public domain, but Edwin Hawkins’ own 1967 arrangement — the version you’d actually clear — is a separate, still-copyrighted work with a confirmed writer. No dispute found.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1969
GenreGospel, Soul
LabelBuddah/Pavilion Records
ProducerEdwin Hawkins
Recorded atBerkeley, California (1967)
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The arrangement — Edwin Hawkins' estate — the 1967 copyrighted arrangement, the layer you'd actually clear
Hymnology Archive → · checked Jul 2026
The underlying hymn — Public domain (Doddridge 1755 / Rimbault 1854) — no clearance needed for the underlying text
Hymnology Archive → · checked Jul 2026
Which layer you actually need
The 1967 Edwin Hawkins arrangement — copyrighted and still commercial. The underlying Doddridge/Rimbault hymn text is public domain, but that doesn't cover Hawkins' arrangement (the version in the hit recording)
Has it been reused?
Yes — a massive crossover (#4 Hot 100, ~7 million copies, a Grammy); widely covered and licensed
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found, but extensive legitimate licensing of the arrangement
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The underlying hymnPublic domain
Hawkins' 1967 arrangementEdwin Hawkins (estate, following his 2018 death)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A grassroots recording that became a global hit
Made purely to fund a youth choir's trip to Washington, D.C. — one of eight arrangements, self-pressed in 500 copies — it took off after airing on San Francisco radio station KSAN, reaching #4 Hot 100 and selling ~7 million copies.
Songfacts · read it →
Recognition lagged its popularity
Despite its commercial impact, the Hawkins arrangement reportedly wasn't included in a major denominational hymnal until 2018 — decades after its hit status; in the interim its popularity helped keep Doddridge's centuries-old text in circulation.
Hymnology Archive · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Widely covered gospel/pop standard
Covers
1969
First flip
Who to Contact
EH
Edwin Hawkins' estate
The writer of the copyrighted 1967 arrangement
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Deep Batch 2)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass