| "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Mahalia Jackson | |
| from the album 'Bless This House' | |
| Released | 1956 |
| Recorded | Tuesday, March 27, 1956 |
| Genre | Gospel |
| Label | Columbia |
| Writer(s) | Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey |
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (aka "Precious Lord, Take My Hand") is a gospel song, lyrics by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993), melody by George Nelson Allen (1812-1877).
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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 in August 1932.[4] (Mr. Dorsey can be seen telling this story in the 1982 gospel music documentary "Say Amen, Somebody.") The earliest known recording was made on February 16, 1937, by the Heavenly Gospel Singers (Bluebird B6846).[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. King's last words were, just before being shot, to play it at a mass he was attending the night of his assassination. 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. Aretha Franklin also recorded a live version of the song for her album Amazing Grace (1972) as a medley with "You've Got a Friend". 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 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.
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 life 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
"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 Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
"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:
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