"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (aka "Precious Lord, Take My Hand") is a gospel song, written August 1932 by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993), melody by George N. Allen (1812-1877).
History
The melody, although credited to Dorsey, was taken from a 1844 hymn entitled, "Maitland," by American composer, George N. Allen (1812-1877).[1] Dorsey said he used it as inspiration.[2] The "Maitland" music was for the text "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone", it first appeared in The Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book.[3] Dorsey penned "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the death of his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and his infant son the day after.[4] Earliest known recording; August 16, 1938 by vocalist Emory Johnson (Decca 7546).[5] "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is published in more than forty languages.[6]
It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire the crowds; at his request she sang it at his funeral in April 1968. Opera singer Leontyne Price sang it at the state funeral of President Lyndon Baines Johnson in January 1973,[7] and Aretha Franklin sang it at Mahalia Jackson's funeral in 1972. It was sung by Nina Simone at the Westbury Music Fair on April 7, 1968, three days after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King. That evening was dedicated to him and recorded on the album 'Nuff Said!
Recorded
Recorded by Mahalia Jackson in New York City, Tuesday March 27, 1956, Columbia Records (CL 899); with The Fall-Jones Ensemble: Mildred Falls (piano); Ralph Jones (organ),[8] released on the album Bless This House (1956).[9] Jim Reeves version of the song is one of the best known of all. It was released as the "B" side of his hit single This world is not my home in 1965.
Lyrics
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Awards
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007.[10] It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Notable cover versions
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is a masterpiece as evidenced by the number and quality of singers who cover the classic. A partial list includes:
Footnotes
- ^ Westermeyer, Paul. Let the People Sing: Hymn Tunes in Perspective (2005), GIA Publications, page 311 - ISBN 1579993532
- ^ Boyer, Horace Clarence. The Golden Age of Gospel (2000), University of Illinois Press, page 61 - ISBN 0252068777
- ^ "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" music
- ^ Shaw, Arnold. Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues (1978), Macmillan Publishing Company, pp. 8-11 - ISBN 0026100002
- ^ Dixon, Robert M. W. Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943, Oxford University Press (1997), page 13 - ISBN 0198162391
- ^ McNeil, W. K. Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music (2005), Routledge, page 107 - ISBN 0415941792
- ^ Woods, Randall. LBJ: Architect of American Ambition (2006), Simon and Schuster, page 884 - ISBN 0684834588
- ^ Columbia and Later Recordings
- ^ All Music: Bless This House
- ^ Christian Music Hall of Fame
- ^ All Music: "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
- ^ All Music: "Precious Lord"
- ^ All Music: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
External links
