MY FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS
Words by Andy Razaf; music by Thomas "Fats" Waller. ©1929.
As sung by Marion Harris, 1929.

VERSE: Wanting you is my offense.
You have all the evidence.
Now I wait for you to sentence me.
Must I go or must I stay?
Will my skies be blue or gray?
Are my dreams to be or not to be?

CHORUS: There's no use pretending.
Love needs no defending.
What is the verdict? My fate is in your hands.

You're my judge and jury.
What do you assure me?
What is the verdict? My fate is in your hands.

If the charge is loving you,
Then I'm guilty, dear.
Tell me that you love me too
And I'll have no fear.

It is you I'm needing.
For your love I'm pleading.
What is the verdict? My fate is in your hands.

SPOKEN: Because I adore you, must I feel ashamed?
Am I to be pitied? Am I to be blamed?
If my soul is aching with longing and love,
What law have I broken down here, or above?
No power on earth can this take(?) to the heart.
If love is a sin, then I've sinned from the start.
I've made no denials; I've stated my case.
To know what that means, one must be in my place.
You've heard my confession, so do what you will:
Love me or hate me, I'll worship you still.

SUNG: What is the verdict? My fate is in your hands.


Other early recordings were made by:
Joe Ryan and His Orchestra, 1929.
Meyer Davis and His Orchestra, 1929.
The Bostonians, 1929.
Roland Lance, ca. 1929.
Gene Austin, 1929.
Nat Shilkret and Victor Orchestra, 1929.
Smith Ballew and His Orchestra, 1929.
Josephine Baker, 1931.
James P. Johnson (piano), 1944.
The Charioteers, 1947.
Bill Carey, 1955.
Fats Waller (piano).
Fats Waller (organ).